To Kill A Monkey

Amazing show with some of the best acting I've ever seen. Especially the performances for the first four episodes. But the last episode ruins the show. The ending seemed rushed and illogical. There is a good twist, although somewhat foreseeable. It's far better not to watch it. The character development is flushed away.

To Kill a Monkey is a refreshingly engaging mini-series that reflects the continued evolution of storytelling in the Nigerian film and television industry. With a compelling blend of realism, grounded characters, and solid performances, it offers a viewing experience that is not only entertaining but also a subtle testament to how far Nollywood has come - particularly in its writing and production quality.

From the first episode, the series does a commendable job of drawing viewers into a world that feels both familiar and emotionally layered. Its narrative strength lies in its relatable scenarios - themes of trust, betrayal, ambition, and survival are explored through characters that, while imperfect, feel deeply human. The show doesn't rely on melodrama or over-the-top tropes, and that's what makes it quietly brilliant at times.

The writing, especially in the first half of the series, is sharp and restrained. Dialogue is purposeful, and the pacing gives room for character development to unfold naturally. The production design, cinematography, and overall direction show a maturity that's becoming increasingly present in Nigerian film - a noticeable leap from the formulaic content we were once used to.

Where To Kill a Monkey falters, however, is in its conclusion. The final episode feels rushed - as though the writers were constrained by time or format. Conflicts that had been simmering are resolved too quickly, and several emotional beats are either glossed over or squeezed into scenes that lack the space to breathe. It's a classic case of a strong setup undermined by an uneven payoff.

That said, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable watch. The show doesn't pretend to be perfect, but it carries enough substance, intrigue, and emotional weight to make its mark. More importantly, it signals a positive direction for the Nigerian screen industry - one where improved screenwriting, character depth, and production values are no longer the exception, but increasingly the norm.

Overall, To Kill a Monkey is a solid effort that deserves praise for its ambition and its execution.

I believe the series had potential but ultimately fell short in its storytelling, despite some standout elements. The production quality and cinematography were solid, and performances by William Benson and Bucci Franklin were impressive. However, the plot lacked cohesion and depth, with several missed opportunities that weakened the overall impact.

Key Issues: **Misleading Opening Scene The first scene seemed designed to set the tone for the entire series, but it ended up being irrelevant. Throughout the show, I kept thinking Efe's misfortune was somehow connected to that opening moment, but it never tied in meaningfully.

**False Sense of Suspense When Oboz introduces Efe to his "inside business," the scene was shot with such intensity that I anticipated something dark or sinister. Instead, it turned out to be a scam operation-disappointing and anticlimactic given the build-up.

**Unrealized Potential with AI and Juju Efe mentions that he can elevate the scam business using AI, which could have been an exciting and modern angle. Unfortunately, we never actually see this idea developed. The story jumps ahead 4 years, and suddenly they're wealthy, with no exploration of how the AI or juju was used in their schemes. It felt like a major missed opportunity.

**Underused Cyber Detective The cybercrime detective character had potential but was underutilized. Given her role, it would have added realism and depth to see her engaged in actual investigations-analyzing data, tracking networks, etc.-rather than just appearing with conclusions.

**Misleading Title The title To Kill a Monkey suggests a central plot element or metaphor that never materialized. At no point in the story does it become clear who or what "the monkey" is, or why anyone is trying to kill it.

**An Underwhelming Ending The conclusion lacked the punch it needed. A more compelling twist-such as revealing that Oboz's wife was the mastermind or heir to his operation-could have added the suspense and complexity the story was missing.

This series had strong acting and visual direction, but the writing let it down. With tighter plot development and follow-through on its more intriguing ideas, it could have been truly memorable. Instead, it leaves viewers with more questions than answers.

I really like a lot of the product coming out of Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, etc. I came into this based on the high reviews. The first episode started in a not good place storywise with what I felt were some implausible moments but it recovered toward the end of that episode.

After the first episode the story came together very well. You will have seen most of the plot elements before but what I like here is the execution. Every scene takes its time. Every scene matters. The writing is very well done.

The actors and actresses here also do a fabulous job. Combined with the very good acting, costumes, sets, music and on location filming, this is a first rate product and very well worth watching.

To kill a monkey surprised me.

Most of the Nigerian movies I've seen have been lacklustre, very predictable with poor cinematography.

This is the first Nigerian series I've seen and it was quite interesting, the cinematography was much better. The lighting around "The Teacher" was always dark to illustrate he was sinister. Oboz's character was owned by Bucci Franklin, he was spectacular. The translation of the pidgin English was spot on.

That said, the character arc of Amanda was less than stellar, the acting and actions of Inspector Ogunlesi were erratic. At some points the story felt like it was prolonged to get to 8 episodes. Soundtracks were good at some points and terrible in others and the transition was jarring.

Over all it was a great improvement over other Nigerian movies I've seen.