The episode follows (played by Jamie Demetriou ), a filmmaker who embarks on a year-long quest to form a profound, spiritual connection with a monkey named Lulu . It mimics the "cinematic" and often self-indulgent style of modern non-fiction filmmaking—specifically the way My Octopus Teacher framed a relationship with a wild animal as a life-altering, transformative experience. Key satirical targets in the episode include:
Wrote the episode, drawing on "Nigerian-prince" style scam tropes for the con artist characters. Documentary Now! Recap: Monkey Business - Vulture
Portrays Detective Blakely, who helps unravel the scam. Helen Mirren: Returns as the series' dignified host. [S4E5] My Monkey Grifter
" My Monkey Grifter " is the fifth episode of the fourth season (or the "fifty-third" season in-universe) of the IFC mockumentary series . The episode, written by Seth Meyers , serves as a sharp satirical critique of the 2020 Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher , while also blending in tropes from the true-crime genre. Narrative Structure and Satire
The title "My Monkey Grifter" hints at the episode's major pivot from a nature documentary to a . As the narrative unfolds, it is revealed that Benjamin is not actually communicating with a wild animal, but is instead being systematically scammed. The episode follows (played by Jamie Demetriou ),
The film focuses more on the filmmaker’s emotional journey than the subject itself, poking fun at the self-importance found in some nature documentaries.
The "monkey," Lulu, and her human keeper are manipulating Benjamin into a scheme to steal from his wealthy father-in-law. This shift mirrors the 2012 documentary The Imposter , highlighting how a "mark" (Benjamin) will often believe something obviously false because they desperately want it to be true. Key Cast and Production Jamie Demetriou: Stars as the filmmaker Benjamin Clay. Documentary Now
It uses slick, overly dramatic visual touches to make mundane or questionable interactions seem "deep" and artistic. The Twist: Nature Doc to True Crime