Comedian Mo Gilligan takes a deep dive into the global fried chicken industry in the Netflix documentary "Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy," which debuted recently. The film explores the widespread consumption and production of fried chicken, highlighting its nutritional shortcomings and broader social and environmental impacts.
Over 6,000 fried chicken outlets operate across the United Kingdom, offering a popular but nutritionally poor meal option. To illustrate the effects of excessive consumption, Gilligan undertook a 28-day experiment eating only fried chicken. The comedian documented the physical and mental toll this diet took on him, describing symptoms including sleep disturbances, lethargy, and mood decline.
The documentary presents a series of concerns related to mass-produced chicken. Among them, it notes the environmental damage caused by large-scale chicken farming, such as significant waterway contamination with faecal waste. One statistic cited estimates that the amount of chicken faeces produced annually in the United States alone could cover London. The film also links the consumption of processed chicken to health effects, referencing additives used in the industry and drawing attention to rising global obesity rates among children—now reportedly exceeding the number of undernourished children worldwide.
Gilligan’s journey includes visits to the United States, where he interviews health experts and activists about working conditions in large processing plants. Documented issues include serious workplace injuries and restrictive labor conditions, with some workers reportedly denied regular bathroom breaks. The comedian also follows campaigners attempting to enter a chicken farm in Lincolnshire, England, although he ultimately declines to participate in the farm raid, citing his girlfriend’s objections.
Throughout the documentary, Gilligan candidly discusses his own conflicted feelings about fried chicken’s cultural significance, particularly within Black British communities. He reflects on personal memories of enjoying fried chicken with friends in South London, acknowledging the dish’s role in identity and social life.
The film features footage showing promotional visits by influencers to farms supplying major chains such as KFC, with the influencers portraying farm conditions positively—scenes that the documentary portrays as misleading. Corporate responses to the issues raised are depicted as cautious and formulaic.
While the documentary covers a wide range of topics, some critics suggest it stops short of delivering a strong call to action, particularly toward the conclusion, where Gilligan joins friends at a fried chicken festival. "Big Chicken" combines investigative reporting with an approachable tone, aiming to engage younger viewers through a well-known personality, while raising awareness about a complex food industry and its implications for health, labor, and the environment.