PRIMATE Interview: Troy Kotsur & Johnny Sequoyah on Family, Deaf Culture, and Ben the Chimp
- creepykingdom
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Shannon McGrew
In Johannes Roberts' latest film, PRIMATE, we meet a group of friends returning home to Hawaii after a school break. However, shortly after returning, their tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival when it becomes apparent that there is something very wrong with Ben, their pet chimpanzee.
For the upcoming release of PRIMATE, Creepy Kingdom’s Shannon McGrew spoke with actors Troy Kotsur (“Adam”) and Johnny Sequoyah (“Lucy”), who play father and daughter duo and the guardians of Ben the Chimp. During our chat, we discussed everything from crafting their on-screen family dynamic and learning ASL to collaborating with the team behind Ben the Chimp's impressive practical effects.
Thank you both so much for taking the time to speak with me today. What was it like stepping into the father-daughter dynamic of your characters?
Troy Kotsur: I play a character named Adam, and he’s a writer who’s a very busy man. It just so happened that my wife passed away from an illness. I kind of become disconnected from my daughters because I have so much on my mind. Ben is like a family pet, keeping the family company when we’re busy.
We are trying to reconnect with our characters onscreen. My character is so busy, and I want to be there for my daughters, but it’s a bit of a struggle. It’s a father’s responsibility to bring money in to support and feed their kids.
How we developed our chemistry as actors is that we really spent some time together. We had lunch, we went out to eat, and we chatted. Johnny was learning some sign language, and we were able to visit and chat. My wife, Deanne, was the ASL consultant on the project and so really encouraged Johnny and helped her with their sign language.
It felt like we had known each other for longer than we actually had. It’s really important as actors to get into that process, and Johnny really did amazing work on this film. I’m really proud of her.
Johnny Sequoyah: I think so much of building chemistry with someone you’re working with is building chemistry as you guys, as the humans. I was very fortunate that Troy would spend time on his weekends hanging out with me. We got to know each other, and I learned so much from him and Deanna about deaf culture and what it would mean to be a CODA. Very grateful for that.
Troy Kotsur: Johnny reminds me of my daughter in real life. They’re similar in age, and they’re even similar-looking. That really helped our chemistry because Johnny looks so much like my real daughter.
What was it like to work with Ben the Chimp, considering how physical those scenes get?
Johnny Sequoyah: The chimp is practical, which is really mind-blowing. It was surreal to work with Miguel, the actor, and as the chimp. It’s really cool to see what an incredible job they did with the practical effects in this. And Miguel, who plays Ben, is amazing, obviously.
Troy Kotsur: I agree. Hats off to Miguel. He was incredible in how he created Ben: the physicality, the authenticity, how believable it was on screen. I think we made magic as a team and as a collaboration. We had so much chemistry there, and we were on the right ship.
PRIMATE is now in theaters.
