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The Party is a gripping Nigerian series that delves into the mysterious death of Akinbobola Balogun, a young married man who collapses unexpectedly during a lavish party held in his honor. What begins as a celebratory occasion quickly spirals into chaos when Akinbobola’s body falls from the upper floor of his father’s mansion into the pool below, setting off a police investigation that forms the backbone of the storyline.
At the center of the mystery is Akinbobola’s principled wife, portrayed by Kehinde Bankole. Surrounded by suspicion and animosity, she becomes the primary suspect in the eyes of her husband's inner circle. His friends believe she “stole” him from them, while his mother, played by Shaffy Bello, is convinced her daughter-in-law is responsible—based on a chilling prophecy from a seer.
Directed by Yemi Morafa, the series features an ensemble cast including Kunle Remi, Segun Arinze, Uzor Arukwe, Ayoola Ayolola, Motunrayo Balogun, Femi Branch, Yomi Fash-Lanso, and Bimbo Manuel.
A Questionable Opening but a Strong Build-Up
The series opens with the dramatic poolside scene, but despite its intensity, the start feels underwhelming in terms of urgency. “I don’t think I like how the movie started,” a viewer noted. “I quite understand that the directors were trying to tell the story from the ending before taking viewers to the background. However, the beginning lacks the sense of urgency that would have pulled viewers in.”
The real turning point comes later when Akinbobola’s mother, in a gripping car scene, speaks with an Apostle. This moment kickstarts the series' deeper narrative, bringing context and emotional weight to the storyline.
Performance Highlights: Shaffy Bello and Ayoola Ayolola Shine
Among the cast, Shaffy Bello and Ayoola Ayolola deliver standout performances. “Those actors are naturals because their drama was a perfect blend and not pushed,” the reviewer observed.
Kehinde Bankole’s portrayal of the wife is also noteworthy. She convincingly plays the role of a strong, strategic woman who comes between her husband and his longtime friends, insisting on the boundaries of married life.
On the other hand, casting Kelechi Udegbe as the detective raised some doubts. “He had the appearance of a Constable, the one you usually meet at the counters at police stations,” the reviewer noted, suggesting that Ayoola Ayolola could have nailed that role had he not been cast in another.
Kunle Remi, whose character is central to the plot but dies early, delivers a subdued performance fitting of his limited screen presence.
Strong Visuals and Technical Execution
Visually, The Party impresses with its lighting and cinematography. One standout moment is the scene where Akinbobola’s mother meets an Islamic cleric—it’s described as having a “Hollywood feel.” Another is a nightclub sequence, which effectively captures the ambience without letting sound overpower the dialogue. The color grading is well done, featuring rich contrasts similar to Netflix’s Mea Culpa, although it doesn't push boundaries stylistically.
Viewer Advisory and Final Thoughts
One thing viewers should be aware of is a nude scene in the first episode. As the reviewer warned: “If you’re not sold on seeing such things in movies, you might need to keep the remote control close by to skip the scene.”
Overall, The Party earns a 6/10 rating, largely due to its strong technical execution and standout performances. While the narrative starts off slowly, it builds momentum and delivers a compelling backstory filled with emotional depth and mystery.
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