Netflix’s “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness” is a recent staple of pop-culture and connection for those confined at home.

The show mainly follows the feuds between two exotic animal park owners, Joseph Maldonado, better known as Joe Exotic and Carole Baskins. Within the first episode, the viewer becomes aware Joe Exotic is accused of hiring a contract killer, but the relevance of this information does not surface until the final episodes. The scope of the seemingly fabricated drama and fast-pace plot quickly captivated American viewers in a matter of days.

As a documentary, the show’s intent is serious and its material is non-fiction, which only adds to its uniqueness. The subculture of those who own exotic animals lacks relatability, and to most viewers is far fetched. The subjects of the documentary are unintentionally entertaining, from Joe’s unique and often inappropriate political campaign tactics to conspiracies about the missing Don Baskin, including the poplular belief that his own wife fed him to the tigers.

By nature, the plot is also unorthodox as there are no given antagonists or protagonists, allowing viewers to form their own impressions. Although the documentary primarily focuses on Exotic, various plotlines paint him as having both good and ill intentions. It is challenging for the viewer to choose a protagonist as the hypocrisy is vast. For example, while viewers may be inclined to choose Carole Baskins – who advocates for the fair treatment of exotic cats – as the hero, they see her treating big cats in the same fashion as those she criticizes online.

The timing of the show’s release also accounts for its success. According to CNN Business, around 34 million people viewed “Tiger King” in the first ten days following its release. As most Americans have been urged to stay at home, movies and TV shows have become a means to connect from afar. As daily life has become increasingly dull, people needed an outrageous, distraction from the virus.