PRIMAL caught me off guard. I expected a wild, bloody, adults-only action-fest, but what I got was something way deeper. I found myself deeply attached to a T. rex named Fang and a caveman named Spear. Don’t get me wrong, the show absolutely delivers on the blood and guts. And those action scenes are as creative as anything I’ve seen, especially since the show has minimal dialogue. But what really hooked me was how much I cared about where Spear’s journey would end up.
I can wholeheartedly recommend seasons 1-2 of PRIMAL with a glowing stop what you’re doing and watch it now. It’s some of the most immersive and exciting animation audiences will see. While I respect that many fans dropped the series in the third season due to the bizarre left turn it took. I’m not going to spoil that here, but what I will say is that if you stay with it, PRIMAL 100% sticks the landing. The finale is brutal, beautiful, and exactly the sendoff this series deserves.
Let’s talk about Fang and Spear’s friendship, because honestly, a caveman and a T. rex teaming up sounds like something my almost-4-year-old would dream up. Sadly, though, this is not a show meant for kids. What makes their narrative work is its jam-packed heart (emotionally and visually). Adult audiences will connect with and root for this unlikely duo every step of the way.
Final Thought: For anyone looking to get their animation fix, PRIMAL returns audiences to a time of primal instincts. Genndy Tartakovsky’s bold choice to tell this story almost entirely without words reminded me why I fell in love with animation that dares to be different. If you’re a fan of Genndy or just want something that pushes the boundaries of adult animation, this one’s a must-watch.
The entire series is available on HBO Max.
