Eric Goode, whose 'Tiger King' became a cultural phenomenon through sensationalism, has progressively refined his documentary approach with each project. His new HBO series 'Monsters of God' demonstrates this evolution by tackling the global reptile trafficking industry with greater substance and restraint, abandoning the exploitative spectacle of his earlier work in favour of serious investigative journalism.

The five-part documentary examines both the legal and illegal exotic reptile trade, adopting a straightforward analytical perspective—legal commerce receives acceptance whilst illegal trafficking is presented as problematic. Unlike 'Tiger King,' which prioritised entertainment value and character mockery, 'Monsters of God' takes a linear, measured approach that respects its subjects whilst focusing on the mechanics, economics, and key figures involved in international wildlife trafficking.