“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” Review by Brooke Daugherty : Pop Culture Leftovers

“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” Review by Brooke Daugherty

March 29, 2020 2:41 pm |

Tiger King centers around Joseph Schreibvogel, a “big cat” enthusiast, who is professionally known as Joe Exotic. Warning: a lot of cursing and some mild spoilers that don’t even scratch the surface. First off, 95% of the people involved in this series are batshit crazy. FULL STOP.

The series was put together by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin as a documentary on private citizens who own and breed large cats. Little did they know what they had actually gotten into. The story is told through interviews, video shot by the filmmakers and subjects, and even some music videos – yes, music videos.

You know the phrase “truth is stranger than fiction”? Well that phrase suits the seven episodes that await you to a t. The short explanation of this show is really just the fight between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, owners of private tiger sanctuaries. There is SO MUCH more to this story as can be gleaned by the subtitle. I am not sure I have complete words to describe this film, so instead here are some quotes and mild spoilers to lure you into the wacky world of big cat lovers.

“Big Cat people are back-stabbing pieces of shit.”

A music video for a song called “I Saw a Tiger”.

Other players include a drug lord and a man who creates a harem out of his employees.

“Murder, mayhem and madness” but also felons, the FBI, lies and cubs as chick magnets.

“Hey, I’m Joe Exotic, otherwise known as the Tiger King. The gay, gun carrying redneck with a mullet.”

A zoo themed wedding with a leashed husband

Are there dentists in Oklahoma?!

You couldn’t write a better cast of miscreants. This documentary is so fucking insane, I could watch it several times and still be entertained. The themes feed into the very fabric of America – celebrity, money, and abundance (here of exotic animals). If you, like me, can’t get enough of this story check out the story in Texas Monthly about Joe and a Vanity Faire piece on the directors. Honestly, I can’t give this series anything but a Tupperware.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH