"Torn Apart!" 'Primate' Rises as a Dark Horse at the Box Office Amidst Word-of-Mouth Craze

The first horror movie to kick off the 2026 theater season, 〈Primate〉, has become the center of word-of-mouth success, receiving enthusiastic support from horror fans right after its release.

〈Primate〉 is an 'animal slasher' movie set in a remote mansion in Hawaii, depicting the struggle that ensues when a chimpanzee named 'Ben', who lived like family, turns into a brutal predator after contracting rabies. Notably, the film is directed by Johannes Roberts, who gained recognition for his exceptional ability to create isolation horror in the 〈47 Meters〉 series, and it has generated significant anticipation even before its release as it was selected as the opening film for the largest genre film festival in North America, 'Fantastic Fest'.

"A Heart-Pounding 89 Minutes"... Real Audience's 'Genuine Praise' Relay

Immediately after its release, various movie communities and social media have been flooded with vivid reviews from audiences shocked by the film's intense content. On major ticket booking sites like CGV Golden Egg Index, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox, comments such as "the best horror movie I've seen recently" and "I felt that thrilling fear again, just like when I first saw Jaws" are pouring in.

In particular, audiences are giving high marks for the visual shock provided by the pressure of the confined space of a narrow swimming pool and the rampage of a chimpanzee with twice the strength of a human. Reactions like "delicious horror that takes your soul" and "I witnessed the ultimate in brutality" perfectly prove the film's identity as a 'red flavor popcorn movie'.

Troy Kotsur's 'Silent Horror'... The Performances of Talented Actors Stand Out

The outstanding performances of the actors that enhance the film's immersion are also a hot topic. Troy Kotsur, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for 〈CODA〉, plays the role of 'Adam', a deaf father, expressing the primal fear that comes from a soundless environment with his whole body. Additionally, newcomer Johnny Sequoya plays the protagonist 'Lucy', vividly portraying the desperate survival instinct against the crazed chimpanzee.

With a popcorn score of 79% on the global rating site Rotten Tomatoes, 〈Primate〉 has proven its popularity, quenching the thirst of audiences seeking stimulating yet fresh horror, establishing itself as a strong box office dark horse in January theaters.

Capturing the rampage of a crazed chimpanzee and the desperate struggle for survival, 〈Primate〉 is now available in theaters nationwide.