Whenever I’m reminded of the fact that I can count the number of Nollywood movies I’ve watched, and they wouldn’t even be up to my ten fingers, I’m filled with indescribable guilt at how much I revere foreign movies, than I do that of my country. I know it’s not something to be shamed for, but i just can’t help the guilt, lol.
I watched the trending Nigerian series ‘To Kill a Monkey’ and boy! I now understand why the series is getting the hype it is getting. The Nollywood industry has been making waves, and this is the first in many of the trending films I’m watching. In my opinion, this film isn’t getting as much hype as it deserves.
To Kill a Monkey is an 8 episode series, that tells the story of a husband, son and father, Efe - a struggling waiter in a local restaurant, along the streets of Lagos. Humiliated and assaulted by his bosses for money, every other possible source of money, for his wife’s delivery, and mother’s burial seems bleak. Burdened by all these responsibilities, Efe continues to struggle, begging random strangers to help him out of his predicament.
Everything changes when an unexpected meeting with an acquaintance of his, Oboz, during his days of working as a waiter, helps settle his wife’s hospital bills, his mother’s burial needs and other pressing needs. He asks Oboz for help with a job. An offer which Oboz gladly responds to. While this new job changes Efe’s status, it also changes him and his family in ways he didn’t notice till it was too late. Greed and fear, leading many of them to doom, sooner than they realize.
I started this movie impulsively actually. The plan was to take a sneak peek and then watch later. Well, you can tell how this went, if after two days of binge watching, I’m now reviewing this movie. One of the reasons I didn’t like seeing my country’s movies back then was how often plots were being recycled. If the Princess wasn’t being mean to the prince’s lover, it’s a city setting where the wife maltreats the husband and he starts to fall for the maid instead. I’ll rather read tropes like these, than see the cringe parts acted out.
It’s one thing to deliver a stellar performance, and another thing to get the perfect casting for a series like this. The acting in this series was near perfect. From the main character, Efemini, to Oboz, to Ivie. I loved the depth that was portrayed in the drama and how each of them suited, and embodied their roles just perfectly. There wasn’t one moment I could see through their acting, which makes this performance an overall wonderful one.
While the story centered around a poor man’s transition from grass to grace, there were so many underlying plots such as what money did to Efe, betrayal and all that. There were glaring situations, and there were those that were revealed in peak moments, leaving you, the viewer and the characters in shock. I loved the fact that I had to take moments to decipher situations, rather than have them explained. All these joined together, made the time dedicated to watching absolutely worth it.
There’s only been very few Nollywood movies that I’ve come across, that trumped this trope, in terms of storyline, acting, suspense and visuals so I’ll give this a solid 7/10. I do have some reservations towards character actions ergo, the lesser rating. Hopefully, I come across other Nigerian movies as mind blowing as this one.
Thanks for reading.
Posted Using INLEO
Your presentation of this Nigerian film, which addresses an issue characteristic of countries experiencing harsh socioeconomic realities, is excellent. The value you place on the plot and the performances is striking. Best regards, @oluchi31.
A plot that depicts economic ascent and dissects its human cost—moral corruption, broken loyalties—gains immense depth. The complicity between story and viewer, where the reward is gradual understanding, is what transforms a good film into an unforgettable experience.
🫂