Some horror movies are meant to shock you. primates They want to make you anxious long before anything goes wrong.
In an interview with Gaitythe film’s director revealed the choices behind primates‘s sustained tension, throwback horror DNA, and the real-life incident that inspired one of the film’s most disturbing scenes. The result is a creature characteristic that favors fear over excess, restraint over spectacle.
failed return trip
Against the backdrop of the deceptive tranquility of the Big Island of Hawaii, primates The story centers on Lucy (Johnny Sequoia), who returns to her hometown for the first time in a year after her mother’s death. The visit reopens old wounds with his sister Erin (Gia Hunter) and raises new concerns about his primatologist father Adam (Troy Kottle). Adam is often absent to promote his latest book.
Lucy’s attempts to reconnect are complicated by Ben, a chimpanzee who is treated as part of the family but is clearly not doing well. Introduced early on through unsettling physical cues and a foreboding lesson on hydrophobicity, Ben’s presence overshadows what should have been a light-hearted reunion.
The coach said the pacing was intentional from the beginning. Rather than relying on constant escalation, the film spreads the discomfort across scenes, allowing tension to build quietly before exploding. This approach allows viewers to remain vigilant even in moments that seem safe.
Old school horror, modern restraint
meanwhile primates It embraces the roots of creature features, and its tone avoids winking parody. The director cited classic horror structures as a guide, especially films that understand how to work within a confined space and limited stakes.
That philosophy extends to the film’s practical effects, rooting the horror in the tactile. The director emphasized that keeping Ben physically present, rather than relying on digital shortcuts, made the scenes feel less predictable. Viewers aren’t looking at an abstract threat. They are looking at something that occupies real space.
The result is a film that finds humor without cringing in horror. Moments like Ben’s customized speak-and-spell device nod to the genre’s history while maintaining tension, and the director said this balance was important to keep the film from leaning into novelty.
When horror reflects reality
The most talked about scene, a harrowing scene in which Hannah’s character is trapped in a car, carries added weight. As the director has confirmed, the film was inspired by the 2009 attack on Charla Nash by chimpanzee Travis.
Rather than reenacting the events, the director approached them as emotional references. The goal was to translate the shock and helplessness of that tragedy into a fictional context without exploiting it. By basing its scenes on realism, the film forces the audience to see how fragile control can be when wild instincts come to the surface.
The director said the connection to real life is what makes the moment last. It’s not just scary, it feels understandable.
Small but lasting impact
In an era where oversized horror is overflowing, primates We differentiate ourselves by keeping our focus narrow. The island setting, limited cast, and contained conflict sharpen the suspense rather than dilute it.
As the director said, horror doesn’t have to be loud to be effective. Sometimes you just need to feel a sense of familiarity.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
