Shakma (1990) on Netflix
R19901h 40mHorrorSci-FiThriller
Shakma, a baboon, is injected with an experimental drug and goes berserk. His keeper Sam is ordered to euthanize him, and that night Sorensen seals the research building for a role-playing game.
- Watch on NetflixThis title is not on Netflix right now. Please check back later for updates.
- Watch on Prime
- Watch on NordVPN
- Netflix2.5/5
- IMDb5.0/102,953 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Trailer
Plot summary
Sam, a medical student, looks after a hamadryas baboon called Shakma. His professor Sorensen injects the animal with an experimental form of corticotropin meant to hold aggression in check, and the baboon goes berserk. Sorensen orders Sam to euthanize him, but Sam cannot do it and leaves Shakma unconscious. Sorensen will not let Richard cremate the animal and arranges a necropsy for the next day, so Shakma stays alive. That evening Sorensen stages a game for Sam and his fellow students Gary, Bradley, Richard and Tracy. They have to reach Richard's sister Kim on the top floor, and their walkie-talkies reach only Sorensen, the gamemaster. He disables the fire alarm and locks the offices so nobody can leave before the game ends.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Shakma (1990)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Christopher Atkins said production was "intensive" and that actors had to be careful making eye contact with the baboon because it could turn aggressive. He also claimed women who were on their period were not allowed near the baboon, as it would "go crazy" if they were.
- Because of safety concerns, as many scenes as possible were filmed without the actors interacting with the baboon, so an animatronic or puppet baboon stood in for some shots, including one where a puppet of Typhoon was thrown through a glass window.
- Shooting at Universal Studios Florida had to stop around 3 o'clock on most days because of thunderstorms near the studio.
- Shakma picked up a small cult following over the years, including praise from filmmaker David Lynch, who told Empire it was his favorite film of 1990.
