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I had my eyes on Honey Money as far back as 2023, eager to see what this star-studded crime drama had to offer. But at the time, streaming access wasn’t clear, so I had to wait. Fast forward to 2025, I finally got the chance to watch it—and here’s my take.
The Premise
Honey Money brings together Nollywood heavyweights Iyabo Ojo, the late Junior Pope, Timini Egbuson, Nancy Isime, Luna Idoko, and Demi Branch, running at 1 hour 54 minutes. The film follows Tobiloba, a young man born into hardship, constantly reminded that he lacked privilege. Despite promises of a “bright future,” reality left him struggling just to feed himself.
His life changes after reconnecting with his childhood friend’s older brother, who introduces him to shady, illegal dealings. With his computer literacy and his mother’s unexpected support, Tobiloba moves from poverty to financial independence—but through fraudulent means. That’s the backbone of the story.
The Father That Never Evolved
A major frustration was the character of Mr. Afolabi, Tobi’s father. From beginning to end, he was stuck in one mode—scolding, rebuking, and comparing his son to others. The film never revealed if he worked, contributed to the family, or attempted to provide the better life his wife longed for.
His endless preaching of integrity without any real action felt hollow. It left viewers asking: how can a man demand values he himself never lived? This gap made his role more of a stereotype than a developed character.
A Troubling Direction
Here lies the film’s biggest flaw—its moral compass. The story seems to suggest that the only way out of poverty is through crime. It glamorizes fraud as a ticket to success while failing to show meaningful consequences. For impressionable viewers, this messaging is troubling.
Yes, cybercrime exists, but presenting it as the sole path to escape hardship is poor storytelling. A film with this level of exposure should have been more responsible in its message.
Weak Characters and Flat Execution
Not every character carried weight. Kaima’s role, for instance, felt unnecessary and could have been cut without affecting the story.
Even the crime sequences lacked the suspense expected of the genre. Take the cab scene at 1 hour 47 minutes: Tobi’s car was blocked, yet the driver didn’t lock the doors—a basic safety instinct. The blocking vehicles weren’t even positioned well enough to make the trap believable. The scene felt careless and forced.
Then came the plot twist. If there was one, it was neither jaw-dropping nor necessary. It felt like the filmmakers inserted it simply because crime dramas “must” end with a twist. Honestly, the story would have landed better if it had closed without forcing that ending.
A Missed Opportunity
With such a powerful cast, Honey Money had all the ingredients to deliver a gripping, morally charged narrative. Instead, it left viewers with half-drawn characters, a shaky moral framework, and unresolved conflicts—particularly Tobi’s simmering bitterness toward his father, which was never fully addressed.
The late Junior Pope’s presence is a bittersweet reminder of his talent. His contribution to Nollywood will be remembered. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Final Verdict
After waiting since 2023 to finally watch this in 2025, the result was underwhelming. Honey Money had the potential to stand as a bold social commentary but instead stumbled into glamorization and weak direction.
Rating: Low.
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