Chimps treated poorly in riveting docuseries; language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Mistreatment of animals is a theme. Chimpanzees are neglected, given junk food, and forced to perform in manners that may harm them. There's a story about a chimp who bites off a man's nose. That chimp mysteriously dies a few months later.
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, National Enquirer, Star, Sea World, PETA, Hallmark, American Greeting, George of the Jungle, Babe: Pig in the City, Facebook, Walmart, McDonald's.
Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
Some images of chimpanzees genitals in the course of storytelling.
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Some expert-relayed information about chimpanzees and primates, some layperson-related information about these animals. There are accounts of both the activists' journey to get animals into safe environs, as well as the exotic animal owners' actions to do what they think is the best course of action.
Positive Role Models
a little
People fight for their beliefs on both sides of the story. The breeders and keepers of exotic pets feel that their love and devotion to the chimps in their care goes above and beyond what should be expected of them. On the other hand, the activists who call out the abuses to these animals believe that their solution is the only way. It's up to the viewer to decide who's in the right.
Positive Messages
very little
Love who you love. Don't give up. Fight for what you believe in. Don't be afraid to fail. Take care of your loved ones.
Diverse Representations
very little
One of the directors of the series is a Black man who made inroads into the circus world as a Black clown. Actor Alan Cumming, who speaks on behalf of the work that PETA does, is a gay man. The rest of the people in this series are primarily White.
Parents need to know that Chimp Crazy is a docuseries by Eric Goode, the creator of Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which also covers owners of exotic animals. This series investigates what happens when a privately owned facility that contained and bred primates is accused of breaking laws pertaining to the Endangered Species Act. Some images of maltreatment of animals may disturb viewers sensitive to the plight of wild animals kept in captivity. Disconcerting topics include: a woman who breast-feeds a prematurely born chimp, people using animals for monetary gain, animals living in depraved conditions, and kidnapped animals. Moderately frequent use of language includes: "f--k," "boobies," "s--t," "hell," "piss."
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What's the Story?
In CHIMP CRAZY, filmmaker Eric Goode (Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness) follows a story about a facility in Festus, Missouri, where primates are being bred and kept in captivity without federal supervision. Because he's known for exposing questionable ethics in the exotic animal world, he asks a front man with a career in the circus (Dwayne Cunningham) to infiltrate the Missouri Primate Foundation and find out more about what goes on at the compound. The team finds a number of caged chimpanzees being cared for by people with no expertise. The team also finds a woman named Tonia Haddix, who believes that adopting a monkey is the "best thing since peanut butter." Will the operation be exposed? Or will the people who fiercely love chimps beat the system?
Part documentary, part gossipy exposé, this peek-under-the rock story will thrill fans of Eric Goode's Tiger King and its spin-offs. Chimp Crazy pits activists against private exotic-pet owners in an only-in-America series about chimpanzees and the people who love them.
It's a series that might leave viewers feeling a little slimy -- like watching a mudwrestling match between ideological foes. The filmmaker plays both sides of the field; it's not clear who the real losers are. But viewers might find themselves with strong opinions either way. The ethics of the American dream are at the core of this series. Families with older teens can expect interesting conversations while watching this show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about compassion in Chimp Crazy. We often think of compassionate behavior as a good thing. At what point does compassion become control or obsession?
Documentary filmmakers explore their curiosity by investigating stories and filming the results. Are you curious enough about something to document your findings?
An individual in this series says that she loves the chimps in her life more than her own kids. Does this statement have integrity in your view? Why, or why not?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
