It’s the rare nature doc that feels more like “Game of Thrones” than “Planet Earth”.
Thanks to the Joe Rogan show and this interview of Peter Thiel for first mentioning “Chimp Empire”.
Chimp Empire is the best doc on chimpanzee’s raw power in the wild.
But if you want one more chimp documentary, I recommend “Chimp Crazy” (which my teammate Rob ranks 96/100) — it’s about an exotic pet owner known as the “The Dolly Parton of Chimps”.
Trailer for “Chimp Empire”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- A chimp named Jackson rules the Central Ngogo group. A younger rival, Abrams, performs an epic rain dance display (one of the longest ever seen) that nearly topples his regime.
- The film captures chimps coordinating a brutal monkey hunt. Then they’re sharing the meat in a scene that’s intelligent and terrifying. It’s like a glimpse into early human warfare.
Watch “Chimp Empire”
You can watch “Chimp Empire” on Netflix. It’s a four-part docuseries.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 98/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 98/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by James Reed (Oscar-winner for “My Octopus Teacher“). This Netflix series was filmed deep in Uganda’s Ngogo rainforest inside Kibale National Park. Reed’s team stayed for over a year to document the most intimate, long-term study of chimp behavior ever attempted.
Release Date: April 19, 2023 (Netflix)
My Review of “Chimp Empire”
The Setup
“Chimp Empire” dives into the social web of the Ngogo chimpanzees, the largest and most powerful known troop on Earth. The story follows Jackson, the aging alpha, whose control is challenged by the younger Abrams. The entire group teeters on the edge of a violent split. What makes it wild is that it’s a real primate power struggle caught in 4K.
Mahershala Ali’s narration gives the saga weight, balancing political plotting with intimate moments of parenting, grooming, and mourning. You quickly realize these chimps have politics, loyalty, and betrayal that feel so human.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Jackson, the seasoned leader, uses intimidation and charm to keep his rivals in check. When food runs scarce, loyalties crumble fast.
- A chimp named Miles is seen adopting an orphan. It is a tender moment that rivals any human act of empathy captured on film.
- The “Battle of Ngogo” sequence is unforgettable. Hundreds of chimps scream through the rainforest, charging at enemies, and marking territory with ritualistic displays of dominance.
- Researchers capture never-before-seen footage of female chimps navigating the dangers of motherhood amid political chaos—hiding newborns from aggressive males during turf wars.
- The cinematography is stunning. Drone shots glide over the dense canopy while close-ups show micro-expressions that make you question where instinct ends and strategy begins.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- The Ngogo community has been studied since the 1990s by scientists from the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project. The crew used custom silent cameras to avoid disturbing their natural behavior.
- The rain dance ritual shown by Abrams lasted over 15 minutes. It’s the longest ever recorded among chimpanzees, signaling an emotional response to environmental stress.
- Each episode focuses on specific subgroups. Like the mothers’ coalition or the adolescent males. It allows viewers to track relationships as if watching a serialized drama.
- The doc also touches on poaching and deforestation around Kibale. It reminds viewers that the “Empire” itself is fragile, hemmed in by human expansion.
Wrap Up:
If you like your nature docs raw, dramatic, and emotionally complex, “Chimp Empire” is essential viewing. It’s the closest you’ll get to watching evolution play out in real time.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc