Skip to main content
Unlocking the Cage poster

Unlocking the Cage

Documentary
2016, 1h 30min
Renowned filmmakers D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus follow determined animal rights activist Steven Wise into the courtroom for an unprecedented battle that seeks to utilize the writ of habeas corpus to expand legal “personhood” to include certain animals. Wise’s unusual plaintiffs—chimpanzees Tommy and Kiko, once famed showbiz stars—are now living in filth, struggling to survive. Wise and his impassioned legal team take us into the field, revealing gripping evidence of such abuse and plunging us into the intricacies of their case as they probe preconceived notions of what it means to be a non-human animal.
Country: United States

Where to Watch Unlocking the Cage online

PlayPilot is the streaming guide that helps you find where to stream Unlocking the Cage online via rental, purchase, or 100+ streaming service subscriptions.

Filter

Subscription

Mubi
Subscribe
Stream Now

Rent/Buy

Apple TV
Rent or buy
Stream Now

Join more than 5 million users

using PlayPilot to find the best movies and shows on all streaming services!

Promo

Ratings

Profile photo for
Your rating:
IMDb rating Visit page
IMDb rating 7
Critic rating Average critic rating
Critic rating 6

Reviews

Add a review
Profile photo for leslie57
Critic Leslie Felperin
rated 6

...an exemplary piece of documentary storytelling.

Read full review at The Guardian

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Unlocking the Cage about? Toggle content

In "Unlocking the Cage," a dedicated animal rights activist takes on an unprecedented legal battle to grant chimpanzees personhood status, seeking to liberate them from captivity and mistreatment. With the help of renowned filmmakers, the journey reveals shocking evidence of animal abuse and challenges preconceived notions of what it means to be non-human. Follow the gripping courtroom drama and witness a groundbreaking fight for animal rights.

Where can I stream Unlocking the Cage? Toggle content

You can stream Unlocking the Cage on:

Mubi, 
Apple TV

What movies are similar to Unlocking the Cage? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Unlocking the Cage include Tickled, Hip Hop-eration, On Putin's Blacklist, Age of Champions, T-Rex, Salam Neighbor.

Skip this
Tickled poster
Tickled
2016, Movie - Documentary
Hip Hop-eration poster
Hip Hop-eration
2014, Movie - Documentary
On Putin's Blacklist poster
On Putin's Blacklist
2017, Movie - Documentary
Age of Champions poster
Age of Champions
2011, Movie - Documentary
T-Rex poster
T-Rex
2016, Movie - Documentary
Salam Neighbor poster
Salam Neighbor
2015, Movie - Documentary
Iris poster
Iris
2014, Movie - Documentary