Why Everyone’s Raving About Kemi Adetiba’s To Kill a Monkey: 5 Lessons We Learned

Image:X

Kemi Adetiba has done it again. With her latest cinematic masterpiece, To Kill a Monkey, the acclaimed filmmaker takes Nollywood storytelling to bold, uncharted territory  and fans can’t stop talking about it. 

Known for her hit works like King of Boys, Adetiba doesn’t just create films; she crafts experiences, and this one is layered with suspense, social commentary, and unforgettable characters.

Set in the underbelly of Lagos, To Kill a Monkey follows the story of Ede, a once-loyal political fixer played powerfully by Stan Nze, who is forced to confront the sins of the political elite he once served.

 At the center of this storm is Zara (played by Osas Ighodaro), a brilliant investigative journalist whose relentless pursuit of truth threatens to unravel a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined. These two central characters carry the weight of the story, embodying the conflict between silence and accountability.

Here are five key takeaways from To Kill a Monkey and why it’s being hailed as one of Kemi Adetiba’s boldest projects yet:

1. Power Protects Power — Until It Doesn’t

The film exposes how deeply rooted corruption protects those in high places — until betrayal begins from within. As Ede starts to question the system, the film reveals the fragility of loyalty built on fear, not trust. Viewers are reminded that even the most fortified walls can crumble from the inside

2. Journalism Still Has Teeth

Through Zara’s character, the film underscores the relevance and power of investigative journalism in a climate of fear and censorship. Her character resonates with young Nigerians hungry for justice, and Osas Ighodaro delivers a nuanced performance that walks the line between courage and vulnerability.

3. Everyone Has a Breaking Point

One of the film’s most powerful arcs is Ede’s transformation. Stan Nze captures the inner turmoil of a man who’s done too much to be innocent, but still wants to make things right. The story doesn’t glamorize redemption it shows its cost.

4. Silence is a Weapon

Supporting characters like Chief Odu (played chillingly by Nobert Young) represent the older political generation who rely on silence and secrecy to maintain power. 

The film reminds us that sometimes the most dangerous character isn’t the one who talks the most, but the one who says nothing at all.

5. Women in Nollywood Are Redefining Power Roles

From Zara to Amara, Ede’s estranged wife (portrayed by Kehinde Bankole), the female characters are not just sidekicks or victims  they drive the story, shape the conflict, and demand justice. Adetiba continues her mission of showcasing strong, complex women without falling into clichés.

To Kill a Monkey isn’t just a political thriller it’s a mirror. A mirror held up to a nation grappling with the weight of silence, betrayal, and delayed justice. The dialogue is sharp, the cinematography intense, and the moral dilemmas disturbingly relatable.

While the plot twists are enough to keep audiences at the edge of their seats, it’s the depth of character  their pain, regrets, rage, and defiance that truly resonates. Adetiba’s directing is meticulous, giving each actor room to breathe and burn on screen.

In a cinematic landscape often plagued by predictability, To Kill a Monkey cuts through the noise with its daring themes, fearless characters, and razor-sharp direction. It challenges viewers to think, to question, and most importantly, to feel cinematography intense, and the moral dilemmas disturbingly relatable.

While the plot twists are enough to keep audiences at the edge of their seats, it’s the depth of character  their pain, regrets, rage, and defiance  that truly resonates. Adetiba’s directing is meticulous, giving each actor room to breathe and burn on screen.

In a cinematic landscape often plagued by predictability, To Kill a Monkey cuts through the noise with its daring themes, fearless characters, and razor-sharp direction.

 It challenges viewers to think, to question, and most importantly, to feel. Kemi Adetiba doesn’t just tell stories  she builds worlds, breaks norms, and leaves audiences breathless, and if To Kill a Monkey proves anything, it’s this: Nollywood is evolving, and Kemi Adetiba is at the helm of that revolution.

#Nollywood

#KemiAdetiba