For this year’s 31 Nights of Horror Challenge, the Night 12 prompt is Monkey Paw. We watched the movie Primate (2026) on Amazon Prime

Storyline

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

‘Primate’ delivers effective creature feature thrills with exceptional horror craft, brutal gore, and genuinely suspenseful stalking sequences that keep audiences engaged. The brisk 90-minute runtime maintains strong momentum throughout. However, the film suffers from paper-thin characterization, frustratingly illogical character decisions that defy common sense, and a predictable narrative. Despite weak writing and implausible scenarios, most found it entertaining enough for genre fans seeking straightforward, visceral ape horror.

Our thoughts on Primate (2026)

I had a really fun time with this movie. The suspense works, the gore is satisfyingly bloody, and while the chimp looks very cheesy, that honestly adds to the charm rather than hurting it. At a tight 90-minute runtime, it doesn’t waste time-things get intense fast, and once they do, the movie never lets up until the end. It’s mean, messy, and fully commits to its ridiculous premise in the best way.

5 out of 10 stars 

Trivia 

Lucy is a famous fossilized skeleton of an early human ancestor belonging to the species Australopithecus afarensis, discovered on November 24, 1974, in Hadar, Ethiopia, by paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson. Lucy was also the name of the main character in the film.

Hawaii is the only U.S. state that maintains rabies-free status. The Hawaii State Department of Health confirms this designation, which the state has protected through strict animal quarantine laws since 1912. All dogs and cats entering Hawaii must comply with rabies quarantine requirements.

Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 4, Department of Agriculture, Subtitle 6, Division of Animal Industry, Chapter 71, prohibits the importation and possession of all non-human primates for use as pets. State regulations classify chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) as restricted animals because of their status as both an endangered species and a potential threat to public safety and native ecosystems. Authorities grant permits for primate possession exclusively to municipal zoos, government agencies, universities, or research facilities that meet specific federal and state criteria.

The narrative unfolds at a cliffside mansion in Hawaii, but principal photography occurred in England and Portugal. The production team constructed the primary interior and exterior sets, including the three-tiered house with its integrated swimming pool, on sound stages at Sky Elstree studios in London. Production designer Simon Bowles built the Hawaiian environment from scratch, including Ben’s forest enclosure and the surrounding cliffs. For establishing shots and exterior sequences depicting Hawaii, the production filmed on location at Madeira Island, Portugal, utilizing coastal areas including Penha de Águia, the municipality of Porto Moniz, Faial Beach, São Vicente, and Ponta de São Lourenço in Caniçal. Principal photography commenced September 16, 2024, and concluded November 4, 2024, after approximately five to six weeks. Director Johannes Roberts cited John Carpenter‘s siege films and Cujo (1983) as primary stylistic influences. Cinematographer Stephen Murphy shot the film in anamorphic format using Panavision T-series lenses paired with a Sony Venice 2 camera to achieve a 1980s and 1990s genre aesthetic. The chimpanzee Ben was portrayed by movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba in a practical creature suit, with prosthetics and animatronics replacing CGI throughout the production.

The first case of hydrophobia was recorded in 2300 B.C.
Animals infected are literally driven crazy by the sight of water.
If not treated within 48 hours there is no cure.
Hydrophobia is now more commonly referred to by the Latin word for madness: Rabies.