Director Eric Goode, known for the popular 'Tiger King' series, has released 'Monsters of God,' an HBO documentary that examines international reptile trafficking networks. The series employs an intentional bait-and-switch title: the "monsters" refer not to the snakes, lizards, and other creatures being smuggled, but to the human traffickers and smugglers who exploit them.

In explaining the title's meaning, Goode clarified that it reflects a philosophical commentary on humanity's self-perceived dominance over nature, rooted in religious traditions that position humans as inherently superior to other species and entitled to exploit them. The docuseries features accounts from various smugglers and traffickers, including individuals who have since expressed remorse for their involvement, though some viewers in reptile communities initially misinterpreted the title as vilifying the animals rather than the people.