Tiger King Creator Explores Reptile Trade in New HBO Max Documentary

As Israel's political scene heats up with heated debates involving reptiles, a new HBO Max documentary titled "Monsters of God" delves into the complex relationship between humans and reptiles in the United States. Created by Eric Goode, known for the 2020 Netflix hit "Tiger King" and the HBO Max series "Chimp Crazy," this new series shifts focus from mammals to reptiles, exploring the dark world of exotic reptile trafficking.

Unlike Goode's previous works, which featured intense human-animal interactions and vivid personalities like Joe Exotic and Tonya Harding, "Monsters of God" struggles to portray reptiles as engaging characters due to their solitary and non-affectionate nature. The series instead centers on aging men involved in the illegal reptile trade during its heyday in the 1960s, including figures like Nick Mault, Tommy Crutchfield, and Ray Van Nostrand, whose stories reveal a ruthless capitalist ecology intertwined with institutional corruption and organized crime.

The documentary relies heavily on archival footage and interviews rather than real-time events, offering a nostalgic yet less sensational look at the reptile smuggling underworld. While visually rich with close-ups of various exotic reptiles, the series lacks the dramatic flair and eccentric personalities that made Goode's earlier works popular. Critics note missed opportunities to explore ecological impacts, such as invasive species threats and the commercial motivations behind exotic animal trade.

Despite its shortcomings as entertainment, "Monsters of God" sheds light on a shadowy industry and the human greed fueling it, contrasting sharply with the affectionate and chaotic animal-human bonds depicted in Goode's previous series. The timing of the series' release coincides with unusual reptile-related political discussions in Israel, highlighting the broader cultural fascination with these creatures.