“Chimp Crazy” is a four-part docuseries that dives into the bizarre world of exotic animal owners, specifically focusing on Tonia Haddix and her relationship with a chimpanzee named Tonka. Haddix treats Tonka and her other primates like children, claiming her love for them is deeper than human parental love.
As the series unfolds, it reveals her unique bond with Tonka, who starred in Hollywood films like “Buddy” and “Babe: Pig in the City,” and how her family has accepted their secondary position in her life.
The docuseries depicts Haddix’s unconventional care for her primates, feeding them fast food and Gatorade, while the chimps display signs of stress within their cages. PETA intervenes with a lawsuit, supported by Tonka’s former co-star Alan Cumming, aiming to relocate the chimps to a sanctuary.
This lawsuit sets the stage for the series’ central conflict, as Haddix tries to defy the organization’s efforts to take her beloved Tonka.
Chimp Crazy Docuseries Explores the Troubling World of Exotic Animal Ownership and Unconventional CareEric Goode, the filmmaker behind the hit docuseries “Tiger King,” directs “Chimp Crazy” but uses a proxy director to approach Haddix, as his previous notoriety makes direct access difficult. The hidden cameras capture Haddix’s life as it veers from the odd to the troubling, including a dramatic twist HBO keeps under wraps. The story escalates into kidnapping allegations, blending moments of humor with unsettling reality.
Haddix’s fixation with Tonka serves as the heart of the series, but Goode also explores other stories of captive chimps turning violent, such as Travis, who mauled a friend of his owner, and Buck, shot by police after attacking his owner’s daughter.
These incidents showcase the dangerous consequences of keeping chimpanzees as pets, reinforcing the argument that these animals are unpredictable and ultimately unmanageable.
Haddix’s eccentric personality becomes a central focus, as she styles herself flamboyantly and clings to her right to keep chimps. Her belief that Tonka is a “humanzee” reflects her deep emotional need for companionship, even at the chimps’ expense.
However, Goode’s questionable ethical decisions in filming Haddix, like using a proxy and withholding full disclosure, complicate the moral boundaries of the documentary.
“Chimp Crazy” raises larger questions about the responsibilities of documentary filmmakers and their role in shaping narratives. Goode acknowledges the ethical dilemmas but uses them to enhance the drama of the series.
Ultimately, the spectacle of Haddix’s eccentricity overshadows the moral ambiguity of the filmmakers’ choices, drawing viewers into the absurd yet troubling world of captive primates and their misguided human caretakers.