Monsters of God, a new HBO documentary series directed by Eric Goode, takes a sober and nuanced approach to the topic of reptile trafficking, marking a departure from the sensationalism of his previous works. Goode, a documentarian and animal rights activist, has been refining his formula, focusing on substance and gradually making his series more respectable and entertaining. The series' thesis revolves around the idea that while people who own and traffic exotic animals are indeed criminals and lunatics, there's a relatable and human element in the desire to want these animals in our lives. Goode, who once owned exotic reptiles, takes a more measured approach, arguing that while illegal trafficking is bad, the legal transportation of legal reptiles is acceptable. The series introduces a wild and wacky individual handling a giant king cobra, setting the tone for a documentary that avoids the exploitation and schadenfreude of 'Tiger King' and 'Chimp Crazy'. Goode's approach is to delve into the industry, tracing it through generations of smugglers and law enforcement, without sensationalizing the animals or their handlers. The series focuses on the human characters, who are colorful, dangerous, and profane, and the animals, which are eye-catching, scary, and weird. Goode's conclusions are simplistic but correct, advocating for restrictions on rich people's ownership of endangered species. The series is too long and repetitive, but Goode's respectful and sympathetic approach makes it more watchable and less likely to attract rubber-necking viewers. Goode's documentaries are becoming increasingly reasonable and less outsized, leading to speculation that he might be preparing for a look at ordinary pet shops and puppy mills. Despite its flaws, 'Monsters of God' is a step in the right direction, offering a more nuanced and less exploitative perspective on the topic of exotic animal trafficking.
