To Kill A Monkey

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.

Finally we got to watch 'To Kill a Monkey' after waiting for a very long while😃 Kudos to Kemi Adetiba for always coming up with original stories, it's fascinating how her brain works!

DELICIOUS

-Hats off to the production designer for a job well executed: from the costume and set designs to the props, every detail was meticulously crafted with the script and characters in mind!

-We didn't have any concern about William Benson (Efe), Bucci Franklin (Oboz), and Teniola Adelese (Ivie) because they ALWAYS deliver😊Stellar performances!!

-'To Kill a Monkey' is another proof that Kemi Adetiba is growing. There were major production improvements noticed compared to her beginning stages with 'Wedding Party' in terms of sound engineering, direction and cinematography

BLAND

-The title was more poignant than the actual story...You think the series was all about trying to kill "the monkey", when on the contrary, it centered more on Efe. Leaving us in total confusion.

"The monkey" should have been designed as a terrifying character due to his mask and renown, but unfortunately, he never uplifted the story with any powerful influence

-Chidi Mokeme's role was not quite necessary as it did not add much depth. Which notorious gangster only requires 30% off a deal😳 He was not intimidating, and was constantly "falling short" of his goals

-Many scenes were stretched or repetitive without providing new insights, especially the Oboz-Efe moments in the restaurant and Efe-Amanda moments.

-How did the opening scene affect the whole story? It was fearful and spicy but had it been omitted, it wouldn't have made much difference as it had little impact🙁

Overall, great initiative from Kemi Adetiba and team, and we wish them the best as they continue improving their skills!

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.

This film delivers a powerful punch from start to finish. The storyline is deeply engaging, layered, emotional, and full of tension that keeps you glued to the screen. What truly elevates it, though, is the cast. Every actor brought their A-game. Oboz (F. Bucci) and Efemini (William Benson) both delivered raw, believable performances that gave life to their characters. It's rare to see such across-the-board excellence in a cast.

This isn't just a film you watch, it's one you feel. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates strong storytelling and exceptional acting.

Nigerian movies have always excelled at storytelling, but lately, many Nigerian Netflix films have struggled when it comes to telling stories that feel relatable or grounded in our lived realities. To Kill a Monkey was a refreshing change. Its attention to detail and high relatability, backed by a solid cast, are a testament to the effort of the cast and crew and I must applaud them.

The unending travails of poor Efemini, truly embodying the saying, "when it rains, it pours", were both heartbreaking and captivating. Oboz da Boss gave an outstanding performance. The character's lack of social awareness, red eyes, hairstyle, long nails, and loud fashion sense were spot on. As someone who has lived in Benin, I can say it accurately captured a very real archetype.

To avoid spoilers, I won't delve into the plot, but I will say this: while the film was compelling, a few scenes felt a bit too slowly paced, and at times, the music overpowered the scene when it should have stayed in the background.

I'm giving this movie an 8 out of 10. It rises above the kind of movies that have lately flooded the Nigerian market, over-polished, under-connected stories, and instead offers something bold, grounded, and culturally resonant.