Shakma (1990)

I bet Roddy wishes he was fighting vampires instead of homicidal baboons!

A slasher flick masquerading as a Man vs. Nature movie, a buncha medical students are LARPing overnight, all the while ignorant to the fact that a seriously pissed-off primate is picking them off one-by-one. 

Shakma is too long, the direction is rarely inspired, and the aftermath of the titular beast’s attacks would be far more devastating (these people’s faces would likely be missing). And yet, Robert Engle’s script (his sole screen credit) isn’t completely witless and gets surprisingly dark by the third act. 

The baboon photography is quite good and he really does seem hellbent on murder (sources vary, but there was either a female in heat or a trainer off-camera to rile him up). And finally…I’ve never thought much of Christopher Atkins’ acting chops, but he’s great in this. I admired the way he’s a nice guy, but when pushed to the limit, he doesn’t mince words or abstain from delivering harsh truths.