The Traffickers (2016– ) User Reviews

Well chosen topics but prejudiced host

[carricentre · 8/10 · 14 February 2018]

I enjoyed the topics that are covered related to trafficking. However, the host's actions and expression have been constantly annoying me. She has good summary skills based on the narration in the show. But she constantly show her obliviousness and hidden superiority through the questions she asked to the interviewees or her "shallow" sympathy towards the victims. She would ask a culturally- deep-rooted superstitious person that "do you really believe that?", and would ask a person who has failed to finish his work task that "how do you feel?", like they would respond with anything beyond our expectations. Shallow emotional expressions doesn't only reveal her naivety but also her hidden superiority. Expressed sorrow or concern justifies her identity as an outsider and who only has superficial sympathy but lack of deep compassion or empathy. As living in those horrible situations, people have no choice but live the best of their lives just like everyone else in the other part of world, they are used to it, it is reality. But her lamenting makes those people and their situations seems like so tragical, miserable. As an outsider, she perfectly expressed those sympathetic emotions to the lives that she's seen in which she was lucky enough to not live, which squarely unveiled her uncovered superiority that she might not even noticed herself. She would ask politicians, governors some challenging or rhetorical questions like she had the solutions or answer in mind, or she could do a better job than them. She seemed like a perfect judge in some interview scenes, which really annoys me and seemed amusing. The "documentary" is more like her personal vlog that she would constantly log her prejudiced thoughts, opinions, and she would bite her lips, make those mouth movements so often that always distracted me and I had to take a deep breath to relax myself.

Good journalism, millennial style

[rob_c_69 · 7/10 · 12 June 2018]

Over dramatic, naive, and, yeah, annoying (!) is how I'd like to describe Ms Hedayat's on camera performance. But, who knew an entitled, opinionated, frankly over-acted (we get it, you're enraged over something, you don't have to act like you're in "Days of our life", Nelafur), and ever SO naive (I did mention annoying, right?) 20some year old, could actually pull together a GOOD journalist series. She tackles every issue from all sides, and I mean it, FROM ALL SIDES. Almost every piece of the puzzle is given it's time and sound examination, without leaving any of the nuances out, because it succeeds at proving that there's even more shades of gray than we thought, and that goes for every subject matter in this series. If only it was someone else on camera....

Trafficking on a Variety of Topics

[shaunwo · 8/10 · 22 July 2019]

I watched this series on Netflix, and I enjoyed learning about all the different things that are trafficked. I had no idea that rhinos and pangolins were in danger / considered a "delicacy" around the world like they showed in this series. Sad what need and/or greed will drive people to do.

Really good tv docu series & great jov from Nelufar

[simonpierrebourque · 9/10 · 13 December 2018]

I totally and entirely disagree with many review that gave so much bad review for the work of journalism Nelufar Hedayat... yes she got emotions, who doesnt have some when your watching this show?! If not you are dead inside :/. It's a millenial so a complete different journalism on the fiels than older generation and both style is intereSting. Watched 4 out of 8 episode and i really enjoy all of them!

Important topics, feelings of despair

[alvahund · 9/10 · 2 July 2018]

I enjoyed this documentary series. I found the topics extremely interesting but was left with a feeling of despair - while plenty of light is shed on the subjects, there seems to be no solution for any of them.

A must watch

[sanskarn-25602 · 10/10 · 26 January 2019]

This is probably one of the most binge worthy shows on documentary style shows on Netflix I've ever watched. It's disheartening to see so many negative reviews about the journalist here. People have spoken a lot of negative things about her instead of appreciating her hard work and the cause for which she's been fighting. The journalist herself is a prime example of what a model human being should be like. She's genuine and her reactions come out in a similar manner making me feel that she's more of a human being apart from just being a journalist. I personally feel that she's really good at her job. I'm really disappointed to see the bad reviews and ratings here. The episode on child adoption will really make oneself feel very emotional. It's a show for those looking to watch an interesting documentary type show. Not for a moment did I get bored and was always at the edge of my seat. The narration was brilliant. After watching the show I think I've got to ponder a lot about human nature and maybe one day I could be half as good at person that the journalist Nelufar is.

Pure sensationalism from the most naive "journalist" ever

[bryanholl · 2/10 · 13 February 2018]

Did you know that bad things happen in the world? This reporter didn't. She takes you on a tour of some of the most crime ridden areas of the world to expose the harm done by the black market. However, in most cases she isn't able to find any real evidence so she simply repeats the words "black market" over and over and seeds the subjects of her interviews with the same phrases. She feigns shock and sorrow as a means of self-aggrandizement.

The common denominator for all of the segments of the black market is that they are strongest in areas where governments have left their citizens in a state of economic ruin. Additionally, the black market is supported by corrupt government officials who are paid to enforce the laws, but instead accept bribes to perpetuate the criminal activity that they are supposed to weed out.

What is her solution to ineffective laws carried out by corrupt governments? Obviously, they need to pass laws and increase the size of the government. Who is to blame? Certainly not the corrupt government officials. The only enemy she sees is Western prosperity.

Good job

[mubarak-00856 · 10/10 · 14 April 2019]

I like the show especially the first and second episodes. Good luck

Just videos of emotional opinions

[DukeOfMarshall · 2/10 · 8 February 2018]

Ever wanted to watch someone pretend to be doing journalism, but only give emotional opinions? Well, you've found the right set of videos. With every episode you get to see mostly just the host in frame giving her emotional opinion about this or that. Putting the story, facts, and information first? That's not for this series. It makes me think of a constant selfie video reminiscent of the usual personal Facebook commentaries you see people post about nothing.

She's just so bad!!!

[yurim99 · 1/10 · 15 December 2018]

This show does have potential. A great idea and a host that probably wanted to be an investigative journalist since young, but man oh man! Her absence of street smarts is so apparent. The terrible facial expressions, stealth-less attitude and personal opinions are highly annoying. For example : in a particular episode she "poses" (badly once again) as a purchaser of Pangolin, once the animal is shown to her she screams to the handler "STOP, you're hurting him!" Like SERIOUSLY??!!!!!

This could be a semi-decent show if the host was changed. As for right now, rather give it a miss.

Just change the host

[pixielingers · 4/10 · 30 April 2019]

Was really interested in watching this. Topics were interesting but couldn't stand the host and her nativity throughout each and every episode.

Was interesting until the host opened her mouth

[lempster · 1/10 · 20 January 2019]

Don't waste your time. Your eyes will hurt at the end of this from rolling so far back into your head at this hosts stupidity and ignorance.

Shallow self absorbed host

[pavitranrao · 1/10 · 10 September 2018]

The show is ruined by the journalists self absorbed narration. She acts incredulous about everything - for example that some people believe rhino horns cure cancer, despite scientists proving otherwise. She clearly thinks she is superior to the people she is trying to understand. Zero empathy,zero depth, it's like some entitled person's FB live.

Great topics, patronizing host.

[Mulhollandrive1996 · 2/10 · 14 September 2018]

This docu-series covers very interesting topics ranging from the trafficking of rhino horns to the bloody origins of gold, and does so tackling the issue from all angles. However, I simply couldn't get past the patronizing, culturally-deaf tone of the host. While interviewing locals she often interrupts them to ask questions such as "do you actually believe that?" or "why not just report this to the authorities?". Not only does it come off as arrogant and condescending, but is completely pointless is getting any factual information... Speaking of which -- she often prefers discussing her emotions instead of the actual findings. I loved this docu series but I simply couldn't get past her naivety and the overly acted reactions. How can a so-called journalist prioritise emotions over facts? Final verdict: If you're willing to ignore the bits where she's discussing her emotions and being condescending to the locals, the series is definitely very interesting.

All opinions of host

[robrussellemt · 1/10 · 20 September 2019]

The host ruins the show with opinion it's non-objective journalism at its best... the problem is she used emotional based arguments instead of fact based and she is patronizing when she interviews people it's no wonder she had to use opinion. Most people aren't going to talk to a journalist that speaks down to the person they're interviewing.

Atrocious

[shaymariereynolds · 1/10 · 4 November 2018]

I can't even make it through the first episode, this show is horrendous. The reporter is not only naive but incredibly judgmental. She seems to lack any understanding of the ways in which the "black market" is directly tied to war, capitalism, and government corruption. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favor of rhino poaching but for Christ's sake please at least touch on some of the nuances of shadow economies instead of reacting with shock and horror when gang members blow a stop sign? Good God make her stop.

Waste of time

[maherkahlous · 1/10 · 10 October 2018]

Disappointed! I watched every episode and I was expecting something informative and eye opening to the World of illegal trafficking but I ended up watching an hour of Instagram styled teenage vlog. Everything in this documentary revolves around the interviewer and I bet you can't find a frame without her in the middle of it, if the whole thing is about traffickers then why do I see you in every shot? Unless this was biography of her which wasn't! Not mentioning how dramatized and fake her way of expressing her emotions trying to look empathetic about the horrors she sees. So naive and doesn't stand up to the level of basic journalism.. Simply an amateur documentary and I would never recommend to anyone.

Good content bad host

[callummommy · 2/10 · 25 April 2019]

Condescending and naive host that asks questions like: does that hurt? Do you really believe that??

good to fall asleep to.

[katherinekbsn · 4/10 · 13 July 2019]

The journalist has an obvious moral superiority complex. Sometimes, she tones down her moral high ground after realizing that the issue at hand is far more multifaceted that she originally thought. The problem is, she is a journalist and should be presenting information, not opinion. Anyways I found her tone and moral highness to be perfect for a mid-afternoon nap. I tuned her right out, and went to sleep.

Horrible time wasted

[Sgsgsg328736 · 1/10 · 20 January 2019]

Couldn't finish watching the espisodes even though I think the topics are good. But mostly ...Couldn't stand host!!!!!!!!!!

Good content but the journalist... She kinda ruined it for me.

[flyingbutt23 · 3/10 · 10 June 2019]

The series showed some pretty interesting aspects of smuggling mainly starting in East Asia and branching out to other parts of the world. It was interesting to see how the large smuggling networks work. The editing was as boring as you'd expect from these types of shows, pretty much what you'd see in discovery channel documentaries. No artistic value whatsoever. But the thing that completely ruined the show for me was the journalist. In every possible opportunity acts naive and opinionated. It's mind boggling that she actually studied journalism for however many years and come up with this horrible act.