Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Project Nim

Play trailer Poster for Project Nim PG-13 Released Jul 8, 2011 1h 39m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 144 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Project Nim

Project Nim

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Equal parts hilarious, poignant, and heartbreaking, Project Nim not only tells a compelling story masterfully, but also raises the flag on the darker side of human nature.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (144) Critics Reviews
Deborah Ross The Spectator This is a compelling and engrossing film but, like I said, it's not pretty, and it will break your heart. It broke my heart and, I'm not going to lie, I full-on wept. Aug 31, 2018 Full Review David Rooney Hollywood Reporter This haunting life story is an exquisite example of non-fiction filmmaking as full-bodied, emotionally complex drama. Jan 4, 2012 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle There is no question Nim was exploited for human gain, yet there are important aspects which Marsh leaves unexplored. Rated: 2.5/5 Dec 9, 2011 Full Review Eve Tushnet Patheos The filmmaker doesn't actually hold these foolish humans' emotions, longings and aspirations in contempt... Jul 1, 2021 Full Review Dustin Chang Floating World Nim is obviously a sentient being and also a wild animal. While not making a villain out of just one person, Marsh reflects on how we tend to treat animals in general. It's a heartbreaking doc and one of the year's best. Mar 21, 2021 Full Review Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com Sleek editing and a wealth of archival footage unveil a sad, and thought-provoking tale of humans overstepping their reach in the name of science without regard to the well being of other living creatures. Rated: 4/5 Nov 19, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (436) audience reviews
Thomas M The best documentary movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/26/22 Full Review jon c A chimpanzee can teach us the meaning of being human Director James Marsh helms the story of Chimpsky, a baby chimp separated from his mother and other siblings at a young age in 1973 Communicating with a chimpanzee became a landmark experiment and Stephanie Lafarge does just that just coming out of Columbus University Her daughter Jenny Lee even shared her insight on the whole experience It's rocky at first but that's all part of it; things like this take time to develop that special bond This documentary explores the language humans share with animals but with Nim it's all about establishing a relationship based on sign language Nim wasn't a pet but treated like an actual member of the family He could sense others feelings but also be kinda mischievous Yet as an animal he's still capable of going wild at any time, Nim would get temper tantrums and go on a rampage Nobody keeps a chimpanzee fit more than 5 years because they can be very unpredictable with their strength and behavior This ape would test the nature vs nurture hypothesis making headlines and media coverage By the 1970s Nim's attitudes started to change drastically and extra precautions had to be taken Chimps are like us being very hedonistic The documentary is shocking, beautiful, awespiring, warm, and tragic There's a bond between man and animal that is fascinating to learn about despite all its shortcomings No one says it'll be easy as it takes patience, commitment, dedication, tolerance, and authority Nim is a unique case study because he's more than just a wild animal and shows how we all treat animals attempting to avoid the darker side of human nature Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Movie made me angry. The psychologist should have been caged. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review adam b An amazing documentary with a revolutionary true life study. Quite heartfelt as well Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Good but infuriating documentary. There's a deep irony in these humans trying to investigate an animal's capacity for higher functions while they themselves fail to plan or communicate properly or be self-aware. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/18 Full Review Audience Member This movie is on like any other documentary, very intellectually simulating. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Project Nim

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
The Cove 95% 94% The Cove Watchlist Blackfish 98% 90% Blackfish Watchlist Bully 85% 78% Bully Watchlist TRAILER for Bully Mansome 24% 23% Mansome Watchlist Trumbo 84% 78% Trumbo Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News
Critics Consensus: Horrible Bosses is Certified Fresh
View All Project Nim photos

Project Nim

Project Nim (2011) Project Nim (2011) Project Nim (2011) Project Nim (2011) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.
Director
James Marsh
Producer
Simon Chinn
Screenwriter
Elizabeth Hess
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Production Co
Red Box Films
Rating
PG-13 (Drug Content|Disturbing Images|Some Strong Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 8, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$410.1K
Runtime
1h 39m
Most Popular at Home Now