Lean and mean – a wholly effective feral chimp horror experience with major bite, Primate makes for a wonderful early year cinematic gem. From the outset, the film bristles with genuine tension and nervy, unrelenting terror. It establishes early on that absolutely no one (and I mean no one) is safe. Characters you assume are protected by plot armor are proven otherwise. And those kills? They are brutal, squirm-inducing, and executed with a gleeful nastiness that horror fans will surely appreciate. Yep, the movie delights in forcing audiences to shield their eyes, clutch their armrests, or let out an involuntary yelp (I heard plenty in my screening). And while there’s a thin layer of self-awareness running throughout, the terror stays grounded, visceral, and believable. Crucially, the film gives its predator real presence. Ben, the chimpanzee, is a genuinely formidable screen monster - brought to life through an impressive blend of practical effects and digital augmentation. The result is a creature that feels tactile, unpredictable, and - most importantly - dangerous. At a tight 90 minutes, the filmmakers waste no time. They cleanly establish the ensemble, give us just enough to invest in their fates, and then escalate the carnage with ruthless efficiency. Before you know it, the credits roll, and you’re left stumbling out of the theater buzzing from the adrenaline rush. What could easily have been a hokey, disposable creature feature about a “killer monkey” instead becomes a legitimate white-knuckle scream fest. And if nothing else, it should put to rest any lingering fantasy anyone might have about bringing a chimp into their family home…