Is Primal Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Primal is likely a skip if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 97 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

Verdict:Primal is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 5.6/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Action, Adventure, Thriller genre.
Answer: Maybe not, Primal is likely a skip if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 97 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2019, Primal emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Adventure, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A big-game hunter for zoos books passage on a Greek shipping freighter with a fresh haul of exotic and deadly animals from the Amazon, including a rare white Jaguar – along with a political assassin being extradited to the U. Unlike standard genre fare, Primal attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Primal features a noteworthy lineup led by Nicolas Cage . Supported by the likes of Famke Janssen and Kevin Durand , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of Primal (2019) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quick Plot Summary: Primal is a Action, Adventure, Thriller film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Breakdown: Primal attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of Primal reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Consider Watching If:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $9.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $146.9K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The estimated production budget for Primal is $9.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.








Lionsgate Play
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon ChannelAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, Primal stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2019 cinematic year.
Primal has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Primal is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Adventure, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Primal is currently available for streaming on Lionsgate Play. You can also check for it on platforms like Lionsgate Play, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel depending on your region.
This was exactly what I needed tonight. But what I needed wasn't something good. Nic Cage and everything that happens within his 30-foot sphere of influence is one hundred percent unbelievable at all times. _Under Siege_ with talking parrots, what could wrong? Lots. Still fun though. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
Pretty standard thriller, though compared to some of Cage's other direct-to-video flicks. Not altogether bad and I found some of it to be halfway entertaining, even with some questionable visual effects (which I give a pass considering what I assume wasn't a big budget), and it's never a bad thing seeing Famke Janssen. And for his part, as normal Cage performances go, he wasn't bad. The biggest drawback however was the convoluted plot, I'll give them this high-value prisoner has a health condition that precluded them from flying him back, but the reasoning to be on a cargo vessel was dumb. **2.75/5**
Really good watch, could watch again, and can recommend. This is one of Nicolas Cage's more reserved roles, and the movie is very well balanced between him and Kevin Durand (and LaMonica Garrett and his team dealing with Durand's character). The premise is intriguing and simple: trapped on a boat with a killer, wild animals, military, and a hunter: who wins? The biggest problem I have with this, and the movie specifically leans into it, is that Nicolas Cage is not playing a good guy, he's a poacher. The only reason he doesn't go to prison for life (though I'm sketchy if the US Cost Guard has jurisdiction given it's not a US ship and neither country involved in the trip is the US), is because Famke Janssen has the hots for him. Kevin Durand really is amazing in this. He's been reserved to what feels like bit parts in the past, but giving a chance to shine, he really does. He's able to steal the light from Cage in some parts of the movie. This isn't the greatest movie ever, but it's really good, and I think you'll remember it.
_**Solid ship adventure with Cage, Famke and a cargo of jungle animals**_ A ship with a cargo of deadly exotic wildlife, including a rare white jaguar, travels from the Amazon to Puerto Rico when a political killer being secretly extradited to the USA (Kevin Durand) escapes captivity and releases the animals for a voyage of utter mayhem. Nicolas Cage and Famke Janssen head the cast. "Primal" (2019) is an amusing, action-packed ship adventure with jungle accoutrements. It’s a mix of “Under Siege” (1992), “The Lost Continent” (1968) and Tarzan. The writing/acting is snappy and the violence extreme while the story briskly moves along without ever bogging down. Famke is the only one on the feminine front (except for village lasses in the opening). She’s in shape, but has obviously gotten plastic surgery since the last time I saw her 5-6 years prior. Hey, age happens. The movie runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, and was shot mostly on a cargo ship in Puerto Rico & waters nearby. GRADE: B-
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

