Overview

• The killer-chimp horror film from Johannes Roberts opened Fantastic Fest on Sept. 18 in Austin and drew early praise for visceral, suspense-driven thrills.
• Johnny Sequoyah and Oscar winner Troy Kotsur lead the cast in a story about a family pet that turns dangerous after contracting rabies, set in Hawaii.
• Ben the chimp is realized mostly through practical effects crafted by Millennium FX, with movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba performing in suit work.
• Roberts cited Stephen King’s Cujo as a guiding influence, positioning the film as a lean, old-school animal-attack thriller.
• A wide theatrical release is planned for early January 2026, with outlets reporting dates in that window, and the team shared Q&A anecdotes about last‑minute script changes and on-camera reaction choices.