🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Nick Powell
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 37min
- IMDb rating: 4.9/10 (12K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Nic Cage captures a rare white jaguar, ships it with a super-dangerous assassin, assassin unleashes the animals because…reasons, and then everyone has a bad day at sea.
🍿 Primal: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Jungle Capture
Frank Walsh, a big-game hunter played by Nicolas Cage, captures exotic animals in the Brazilian jungle to sell to zoos. His latest prize is a rare white jaguar, considered a man-eater by locals. Despite the superstition, Frank sees a fortune in the animal and prepares to transport it by ship.

Shipboard Chaos
Aboard the same ship is Richard Loffler, a dangerous assassin being extradited to the U.S. Loffler escapes and releases Frank’s animals, causing chaos on the ship. The animals, including the jaguar and venomous snakes, begin to hunt the crew, turning the ship into a deadly arena.

Hunter vs. Assassin
Frank must now use his hunting skills to survive and recapture his valuable jaguar. He finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse against Loffler, who is equally skilled in combat. The situation escalates as the remaining crew and law enforcement officers try to regain control of the ship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Frank Walsh (Nicolas Cage): A big-game hunter transporting exotic animals who must use his skills to survive when a dangerous assassin unleashes the creatures onboard a shipping freighter.
- Loffler (Kevin Durand): A highly skilled and ruthless political assassin being extradited who escapes and unleashes deadly animals to create chaos.
- Dr. Ellen Taylor (Famke Janssen): A Navy neurologist tasked with monitoring Loffler’s health during transport, who finds herself caught in the middle of the chaos.
- John Ringer (LaMonica Garrett): The U.S. Marshal in charge of transporting Loffler, who tries to regain control of the situation when the assassin escapes.
- Freed (Michael Imperioli): The corrupt FBI attorney on the ship, working from the inside for Richard and helps him stay ahead in the game.
- Rafael (Jeremy Nazario): A young crewman who becomes hostage.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Frank Walsh: “Take it easy with my cat!” – Frank says this protectively when someone is being rough with the cage containing the white jaguar.
- Frank Walsh: “I got a real nice cage for you.” – Frank says this in a threatening manner implying he will capture the assassin.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $18,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $0
- Worldwide Gross: $228,679
💥 Primal Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting a train wreck, but honestly, it was kind of fun! Nicolas Cage is…well, he’s Nicolas Cage, which is always entertaining. The white jaguar was pretty cool, even if the CGI wasn’t the best. The whole ship-gone-wild scenario kept me engaged and the ending, while predictable, was satisfying. Definitely a guilty pleasure kind of movie. I definitely enjoyed it as a Nic Cage classic.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Nicolas Cage fans”
- “Action movie enthusiasts”
- “Fans of B-movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy creature features”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Animal attacks”
- “Strong language”
- “Brief blood and gore”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “While not a cinematic masterpiece, “Primal” delivers exactly what you’d expect: Nic Cage facing off against exotic animals and a ruthless villain. The plot is simple, the action is plentiful, and the performances are suitably over-the-top. If you’re looking for a brainless action flick, you could do worse.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Primal is a mess of cliches. Cage tries but the script gives him little to work with. Durand makes for a decent villain, but overall it is too generic to be memorable. Viewers looking for thrills will be left wanting.
- IGN: “Primal is undeniably silly, but offers B-movie charm. With cheesy CGI, and familiar plot elements, Primal delivers campy action with Nic Cage at the helm. Not for everyone, but entertaining for those seeking low-budget thrills.
Audience Reactions
Nicolas Cage’s performance makes this film enjoyable.: Fans appreciate Cage’s over-the-top acting and the film’s ridiculous premise.
The ridiculous plot of this movie is so entertaining to watch.: Viewers found the film enjoyable despite its flaws because of the crazy concept of Nic Cage versus a jaguar.
Overall Consensus: Primal is a B-movie action flick that is enjoyed by fans of Nicolas Cage. Expect a crazy premise, cheesy CGI, and over-the-top performances.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s release was postponed due to a hurricane in Puerto Rico, where much of the movie was filmed.”
- “Some viewers have pointed out a goof in the opening scene: although Frank is said to be in Brazil, some of the subsequent dialogue contains Spanish words when it should be Portuguese.”
🖥️ How to Watch Primal?
Primal (2019) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other VOD services. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Primal, you might like these similar films:
- Snakes on a Plane (2006): Similar premise of dangerous creatures unleashed on a confined mode of transport, causing chaos and mayhem.
- Con Air (1997): Nicolas Cage battling dangerous criminals in a confined transport setting.
- Burning Bright (2010): A tiger hunts two innocent people after being locked in a house together.
🛒 Primal Related Products
- Nicolas Cage: 5-Film Collection (Blu-ray): Get your Cage fix with this collection featuring some of his most memorable roles and discover the range of this unique actor.
- White Jaguar Plush Toy: This premium plush toy resembles the Ghost cat from Primal. Made with high-quality materials, it’s a perfect addition to any fan’s collection.
- Survival Knife: Heavy Duty Tactical Knife. Get ready for survival in the jungle, or on a shipping freighter.
- LEGO Jungle Exploration Set: Recreate your favorite jungle hunting scenes, but with Legos. Includes mini-figures, wildlife and accessories to create an engaging adventure for all ages
🎧 Soundtrack
Primal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Primal was filmed in Puerto Rico.
A big-game hunter transporting exotic animals on a ship finds himself battling a dangerous assassin who has released the animals, causing chaos.
The main actors in Primal are Nicolas Cage, Famke Janssen, and Kevin Durand.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Point to The Primal Theory
Ever wondered what’s *really* going on in ‘Primal’, beyond the epic fight scenes? This video breaks down the hidden philosophical layers, especially in ‘The Primal Theory’ episode. Honestly, it totally blew my mind and made me appreciate the show even more!
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: a Masterclass in Visual Storytelling
Want to understand *why* ‘Primal’ is such a visual masterpiece? This video dissects Genndy Tartakovsky’s animation genius, showing how every detail contributes to the story. I learned so much about animation just from watching this!
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