Fear brought to life. The cast of “PRIMATE” on their characters in the horror-mystery, in PH cinemas January 21

Johnny Sequoyah (Lucy) and Ben in #PrimateMovie

In the down-and-dirty process of making his new horror movie Primate, director Johannes Roberts brought together an ensemble of dedicated performers who immersed themselves. “Our cast is amazing,” he says. “They went through so much and were so committed to their roles, which were physically and emotionally exhausting. They helped ground this world with beautifully nuanced performances, so when the horror kicks in, it feels real.” 

Silence is deadly. Oscar winner Troy Kotsur brings us into his world without sound in a new featurette for horror-mystery “PRIMATE,” in cinemas January 21

“When I was growing up, I would watch horror movies and you’d notice that so many people will react from a sound that they hear, and so I was on a journey into your world,” says Troy Kotsur, the first male deaf actor to win the Academy Award, for his performance in the 2021 film CODA. 

In Primate, Kotsur plays Adam, patriarch of the Pinborough family, which includes a chimpanzee named Ben. Ben was brought home by Adam’s late wife, a linguistics professor who used to work with Ben. While Adam is away on a short work trip, his daughters and their friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival. Primate is directed by Johannes Roberts and also stars Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander and Victoria Wyant. 

What happened to Ben? Watch the new behind-the-scenes featurette for horror mystery "PRIMATE," in Philippine cinemas January 21

Go behind-the-scenes with director/co-writer Johannes Roberts and stars Johnny Sequoyah and Victoria Wyant as they break down Ben’s terrifying transformation in PRIMATE, only in cinemas January 21. 

Watch the featurette: https://youtu.be/i37ZipriNpk

In PRIMATE, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.

Get ready to go bananas for PRIMATE when it opens in Philippine cinemas January 21, 2026. #PrimateMovie

“PRIMATE” excites horror fans at Fantastic Fest with gnarly kills and practical effects. Watch the official trailer, out now!

“Primate” opens in Philippine cinemas January 2026

They thought he was family. Primate, directed by Johannes Roberts and starring Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur, Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann and Tienne Simon, had its world premiere to enthusiastic applause from horror and genre fans at Fantastic Fest in September, and will open in Philippine cinemas in January 2026. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/Toiqr_T1y3w 

Primate had early screenings at popular genre festivals Fantastic Fest and Beyond Fest in the US, where horror, sci-fi and fantasy fans gather annually to celebrate their favorite genres. Fans enjoyed the gnarly kills and praised the film for its use of practical effects.

“Primate does for monkeys what Jaws did for sharks, only with more fur, sharper teeth, and a far greater sense of blood and guts. It’s punk rock horror at its snarling, cymbal-crashing best,” posted Bryan Kluger of Boomstick.