“To Kill A Monkey” pulls off the rare trick of making you laugh and wince in the same breath. Kemi Adetiba’s eight-part thriller is sharp, stylish, and deeply human—following Efemini (William Benson), an everyman lured into the seductive chaos of phishing scams and fast money. It’s a high-stakes dive into ambition, survival, and the steep price of redemption, with moments that linger long after the credits roll.
Plot
We meet Efemini (William Benson), a struggling family man pushed to the edge by debt and desperation. His chance encounter with Oboz (Bucci Franklin), a charismatic former acquaintance, catapults him into the shadowy world of cyberfraud.
The narrative unfolds across Lagos—its busy markets, digital underworld, and spiritual undertones—revealing how one bad decision can spiral into a web of betrayal and moral compromise.
While the premise is straightforward—desperation meets opportunity—the execution builds curiosity without spilling all its secrets.
Storyline & pacing
Kemi Adetiba delivers a lean, emotionally charged crime thriller that delves into the psychological cost of survival. The eight-episode arc maintains steady tension, though the pilot is marred by some narrative bloat and overlong sequences—especially the extended occult ritual that sags under its own weight. But once the cyber-heist elements pick up, the story tightens considerably, balancing character focus with escalating stakes.
Character development
- Efemini starts as a relatable everyman. Benson’s soul-baring portrayal gives him a grounded, haunting presence.
- Oboz, portrayed by Bucci Franklin, steals the show. His swagger, menace, and moral ambiguity dominate every scene he’s in—and audiences and critics alike are buzzing: “Bucci Franklin is everything in To Kill a Monkey”.
- Mo (Bimbo Akintola) and Inspector Motunrayo bring depth through their personal tragedy and moral purpose, injecting tension and emotional risk into the game.
- Secondary characters—from Efemini’s wife (Stella Damasus) to Madam Adunni at the restaurant—are crafted with intent, though a few supporting roles remain thinly sketched .
Acting performances
- Bucci Franklin delivers a breakout, scene-stealing performance described by critics as a “five-star moment” and “a benchmark” for Nollywood.
- William Benson brings empathy and restraint, anchoring the show with a quiet desperation.
- Bimbo Akintola, Stella Damasus, and Chidi Mokeme inject gravitas and nuance, making their arcs resonate with real emotional impact.
Direction & cinematography
Adetiba blends gritty realism with stylized tension—Lagos is not merely a backdrop but a living, breathing force. The nocturnal cityscapes are dynamic, though occasionally absurd: Lagos denizens ignore stray gunfire with the casual disinterest of a daily commute. It’s polished, bold, and dramatic — rivaling anything from Nollywood’s recent output.
Soundtrack & production design
The score adds dramatic heft—sometimes too much. Early scenes suffer from over-scoring, where silence or subtle ambient sound might have served better. Costumes, set design, and mix of pidgin, Urhobo, and Bini language flavors feel authentically Lagosian.
Themes & message
At its heart, the series grapples with survival vs. integrity, exploring how poverty, power, and corruption can corrode morals faster than any hacker’s code.
It poses tough questions: Is it wrong to break the law if the law doesn’t support you? What’s the cost of loyalty when loyalty is bought? The narrative mirrors real-life desperation in Lagos, delivering an evocative reflection on systemic failures and personal ambition.
While there are nods toward supernatural and moral symbolism—the ritual scenes and occasional “haunting” visuals—these elements sometimes feel disconnected and overshadowed by the main crime drama.
What worked
- Bucci Franklin’s powerhouse performance
- Efemini’s grounded arc gives the thriller emotional heart
- Vibrant Lagos atmosphere, from dialect to cityscape
- Powerful themes about desperation and moral compromise
- Strong production values, with impressive visuals for a Nigerian budget.
See Also: Toni Tones Stars in Arese Ugwu’s Lara Unlimited
Areas for improvement
- The opening occult sequence drags and feels tonally misaligned.
- Overuse of music, especially where silence might pack more punch.
- A few underdeveloped supporting roles, and continuity hiccups in crowd scenes.
- A somewhat tidy conclusion that borders on wishful thinking in a world defined by systemic failure.
Final verdict
To Kill a Monkey isn’t flawless—but its ambition, performances, and Lagos pulse make it one of the boldest Nigerian series in years. It pushes Nollywood into darker, morally complex territory with flair and tension.
If you enjoy smart crime dramas with emotional depth, vibrant cultural setting, and a standout lead in Bucci Franklin—this one’s for you. Expect suspense, moral gnawing, and a reflective look at survival in a system stacked against integrity.
Recommendation
A must-watch for fans of gritty thrillers, Nollywood’s next-gen bravery, and anyone curious about the real human cost behind headlines about cyber-fraud and desperation. Just forgive a few rough edges – and be prepared for a ride that lingers long after the credits.
In short: Watch it – Powerful, memorable, and necessary.
