Between 2000 and 2020, at least 30 serious attacks involving primates were recorded in the United States, revealing the complexity of the relationship between humans and chimpanzees. This conflict has increased in Africa as human expansion invades the natural habitats of these emotionally complex and territorial animals, which can exert incredible force. Concerns about keeping primates as pets are heightened with the upcoming release of ‘Primate’, a film directed by Johannes Roberts that addresses this issue explicitly and viscerally.
A movie about a monkey that changes character
The film, which is set to debut on February 6, follows a domesticated chimpanzee named Ben, whose violence erupts after being bitten by an infected mongoose. This plot twist places a group of young people in a situation of extreme danger, forcing them to take refuge in a pool on the edge of a cliff. The movie is framed as a tribute to horror cinema from the 1980s and 1990s, presenting a humorous and exaggerated approach that echoes contemporary anxieties about violence and living with dangerous animals.
‘Primate’ stands out for its clarity of intentions, offering an experience that does not seek to deceive the viewer: it is a film that directly portrays the threat posed by these powerful beings. With a remarkable use of darkness and a soundtrack inspired by the work of John Carpenter, the film manages to capture the essence of the most visceral terror, generating laughter and scares in equal measure.
However, beyond its entertaining premise, ‘Primate’ invites reflection on the risk of having such a strong and territorial animal as a pet. Although the film may seem like a simple series of gore excesses, it raises important questions about the commercial exploitation of nature and the inherent danger of domesticating wild animals.
