Overall Rating: .......... (3/5 Stars)
The evolution of the Yoruba "suspense-thriller" has taken a fascinating turn in recent years. Moving away from purely supernatural resolutions, modern filmmakers are leaning into procedural elements—forensics, undercover operations, and psychological profiles. "EJE FUN EJE" (2025), directed with a clear intent to blend traditional "village noir" with modern investigative tropes, stands as a testament to this shift. While it grapples with the familiar pacing "ghosts" of Nollywood, it offers a visceral look at the cycle of vengeance within Nigerian society.
1. Cinematography: Beyond the "TV-Style" Lens
In the Nollywood context, especially within the Yoruba sub-sector, there is often a struggle to break away from the static, flat lighting of television dramas. Eje Fun Eje makes a concerted effort to use its environment.
Framing & Shot Variety: The film utilizes wide, sweeping shots of the rural landscape to establish a sense of isolation—crucial for a serial killer narrative. The framing of the "mad" characters in the village often uses Dutch angles and tight close-ups to heighten the sense of unease.
Lighting & Visual Mood: The interior scenes in the police station feel a bit too brightly lit (the "white light" syndrome), which occasionally saps the tension. However, the night shoots and the scenes in the forest patches utilize shadows effectively, creating a visual mood that mirrors the dark secrets of the protagonist.
Cinematic vs. TV-style: The film fluctuates. Dialogue-heavy scenes in the city feel like standard TV fare, but once the investigation moves to the village, the cinematography elevates, using the natural greenery and dusty paths to ground the story in a gritty realism.
2. Sound Design & Music: A Double-Edged Sword
Sound has always been the Achilles' heel of Nollywood, and here, it’s a mixed bag.
Dialogue & Audibility: For the most part, the dialogue is crisp. However, in outdoor scenes with high wind or ambient village noise, there are moments where the post-production "looping" (ADR) feels slightly disconnected from the actors' lip movements.
The Score: The music cues are quintessentially Yoruba thriller—heavy on the percussion and suspenseful synths. While effective at building dread, the film occasionally suffers from "musical hand-holding," where the score tells the audience exactly how to feel before the actors even speak.
Cultural Timing: The use of traditional folk-inspired motifs during the flashback sequences adds a layer of haunting authenticity that elevates the emotional stakes of the revenge plot.
3. Costume, Makeup & Production Design
The production team deserves praise for the character-coding through wardrobe.
Social Class & Authenticity: The distinction between the "city" characters (the grieving parents and officers) and the villagers is stark. The costumes aren't just clothes; they are markers of status.
The "Madman" Aesthetic: The makeup for the characters used as "camouflage" by the killer is impressively grimy. It avoids the "caricature" look often seen in low-budget films, opting instead for a weathered, realistic layer of "village dust" and neglect.
Set Design: The police station feels functional, if a bit sparse, but the village dwellings feel lived-in and authentic, contributing to the "shabby-chic" aesthetic of rural Nigerian life.
4. Narrative Structure: The Pacing Problem
Eje Fun Eje clocks in at over two hours, and like many Nollywood features, it feels the weight of its runtime.
The Hook: The opening is strong. A parent’s desperation is a universal hook, and the film wastes no time establishing the stakes.
The Mid-Section Slump: The investigation drags in the second act. There is a lot of "going back and forth" between the station and the village that could have been tightened in the editing room.
The Resolution: The climax is an emotional explosion. The shift from a whodunit to a "why-they-did-it" is where the film finds its heart. The final confession is a powerful, albeit dialogue-heavy, payoff.
5. Plot Logic & Thematic Depth
The film explores the "Eye for an Eye" (Eje fun Eje) philosophy.
Plot Gaps: Some character decisions—particularly why certain officers go into dangerous situations without backup despite knowing a serial killer is on the loose—defy logic. However, within the "gallant officer" trope of Nollywood, this is often accepted as "bravery."
Cultural Realism: The film expertly navigates the Nigerian reality of the "missing person" crisis. It highlights the friction between the police and the public, where money often dictates the speed of "logistics".
Overused Tropes: While it uses the "mad person is actually the killer" trope, it subverts it by providing a deeply empathetic (if twisted) motivation rooted in the mistreatment of National Youth Service or "corper-style" postings in rural areas.
6. Characterization & Performance Analysis
Damilola Oni & Ogboluke: The lead performances are grounded. Oni, in particular, carries the weight of the investigation well, balancing professional detachment with growing suspicion.
The Supporting Cast: The "village people" provide the necessary texture. The actor playing the undercover killer deserves a shout-out for the physical transition between the "mad" persona and the cold, calculated avenger.
Language: The seamless blending of Yoruba and English (code-switching) feels authentic to modern Nigerian life. The dialogue doesn't feel translated; it feels spoken.
7. Cultural Relevance: The "Lydia" Factor
The core of the film—the death of an innocent girl (Lydia) in a "godforsaken" village—is a poignant social commentary on the safety of young Nigerians posted to unfamiliar territories for work or service. It taps into the collective fear of the "unknown village" and the perceived lawlessness of rural enclaves. It’s a theme that will resonate deeply with the diaspora and local audiences alike.
Verdict
Eje Fun Eje is a solid, albeit overlong, thriller that rewards patient viewers with a gut-punch of a finale. It’s a story about how trauma, when left unaddressed by the state, turns into a monster that consumes everyone—the guilty and the "nosy" alike.
While it doesn't reinvent the wheel of the Yoruba thriller, it greases the axles with better-than-average performances and a genuine emotional core. It’s a reminder that in the world of vengeance, the price is always paid in blood.
Who should watch this film?
Fans of Yoruba "suspense" movies who want something a bit more procedural.
Viewers who enjoy "social justice" themes wrapped in a thriller.
Anyone interested in seeing how Nollywood is evolving its crime-solving narratives.
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