Parents' Guide to

Chimp Crazy

TV Max Reality TV 2024
Chimp Crazy-- TV Image, blonde woman lying in front of a chimp, pink backgrounds

Common Sense Media Review

Joly Herman By Joly Herman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Chimps treated poorly in riveting docuseries; language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Chimp Crazy: Screenshot #1
  • Chimp Crazy: Screenshot #2
  • Chimp Crazy: Screenshot #3

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

Feemar
Feemar Parent of 11-year-old
September 19, 2024
age 16+

Violent, but compelling documentary, not suitable for sensitive young adults.

This documentary is gripping. It thoroughly makes the case against exotic animal ownership with real drama. It is not, however, suitable for children in any way. There is audio and video of extreme and real violence from animals to humans, with characters that we come to know. It is highly disturbing and should only be watched with that awareness. I don't believe the CommonSense review was written before all the episodes were released, and it is therefore not sufficiently cautious about the violence in the series.
See all 1 parent review

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?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

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?

TV Details

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