Season 1 – Chimp Empire

Audience Reviews

View More

Michael D @MichaelX Aug 5, 2026 Our hominid viewing party, kicked off by "Gorillas in the Mist" and "Virunga", reached its natural conclusion with this 2023 Netflix docuseries, and what a finale it was. Narrated with warm, unhurried authority by Mahershala Ali, it takes us deep into the Ngogo forest of Uganda for an intimate portrait of the world’s largest known chimpanzee community. The parallels to human society are so striking with political scheming, shifting alliances, territorial warfare, and tender family bonds, that you occasionally forget you’re watching animals rather than a particularly dramatic season of "Succession". Director Matthew Norris and his team have captured footage of extraordinary intimacy, and Ali’s narration is the perfect vessel for it: calm, engaged, and never overwrought. The highs are exhilarating and the lows genuinely moving. I’m baffled that this flew under my radar; it’s a must for anyone even remotely interested in the fascinating lives of our closest living relatives. See more Bill G. @Silly53 May 2, 2026 Stunning photography, great narration and educational in the best way possible due to being based on facts. Drives the emotions as you get to know the chimps through the storylines. Great documentary. See more Tijs v @sjicken Apr 1, 2024 A beautiful mini documentary about the wonderful life of chimpanzees See more Rex @RT65261476 Dec 18, 2023 Quite simply one of the most amazing documentaries I've ever seen. See more Logan D @RT76660291 Sep 5, 2023 I have no idea how this was filmed so close to the chimps, but either way you can't deny the intimacy of the shots. The editing and cinematography throughout the series is amazing. The music is also done really nicely. It does the majority of setting the mood for most of the scenes. Narrating is great and while it was not as educating as I think it should have been it works through simplicity. The series revolves around the politics and hierarchy of the chimps. There are not many nature documentaries out like this one. See more Harrison J @RT08724383 Jul 11, 2023 One of the best animal documentaries I have ever seen! Truly incredible look at the ups and downs in the lives of one of our closest living ancestors. Shows a lot about chimps but also other animals, especially us. See more Read all reviews

Chimp Empire — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING