In Stephen King’s Cujo, a family’s beloved pet St. Bernard turns homicidal and traps a mother and son in their car after catching rabies. In director Johannes Roberts’ Primate, it’s a pet chimpanzee who succumbs to the ruthless disease, and the car gets traded for the family’s swimming pool. Yet Roberts’ old school techniques, complete with stunning practical effects, and nail-biting suspense, ensure this animal attack feature has real bite.

After one poorly placed cold open that teases just how gnarly the killer chimp’s attacks will be, Primate introduces college student Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) as she departs for home in Hawaii after staying away for far too long. With friends in tow, Lucy reunites with her Deaf father, played by Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur, her younger sister, and the beloved Ben, the adorable chimp who’s...