Lagos Dreams and Ritual Nightmares: Is ‘Trouble in Lagos 2’ a New Classic or Just More Nollywood Deja Vu?
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Overall Rating: ............... (3.5/5 Stars)
The year 2025 has brought us many things, but perhaps nothing as nostalgic yet jarringly modern as the return of the "Grandmasters" of Nollywood. In Trouble in Lagos, we see a collision of eras. On one side, we have the legendary Kanayo O. Kanayo, the man whose very gaze on screen suggests a hidden shrine and a pending sacrifice. On the other, we have the eternal duo, Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki and Pawpaw), whose chemistry remains the most bankable asset in West African comedy.
But as the credits roll on this sprawling Lagos epic, we have to ask: Is this a sophisticated evolution of the "Money Ritual" sub-genre, or are we just watching high-definition versions of stories we’ve seen since the VCD era of the early 2000s?
The Hook: A Tale of Two Cities (and Many Paranoias)
The film opens with a classic Nollywood setup that immediately grounds us in the Nigerian "Jappa" or "Hustle" culture. Two young men, Oka (Chinedu Ikedieze) and Meas (Osita Iheme), are uprooted from the relative peace—and poverty—of the village and thrust into the chaotic, glittering belly of Lagos.
Their benefactor? Chief Odobo, played with a chilling, measured sophistication by Kanayo O. Kanayo. From the moment they step into his sprawling mansion, the tension is palpable. The cinematography here is excellent; the camera lingers on the cold, marble surfaces of Odobo’s home, making it feel less like a sanctuary and more like a gilded cage. For the boys, every shadow is a potential ghost, and every expensive painting is a sign of a dark pact.
Cinematography: Stepping Out of the "TV-Style" Shadow
One of the most impressive aspects of Trouble in Lagos is its visual language. For years, Nollywood struggled with "flat" lighting—the kind that makes a multimillion-naira movie look like a soap opera. Here, director of photography work shows a clear intent to elevate the mood.
The use of low-angle shots when filming Kanayo O. Kanayo reinforces his "Big Chief" status, making him loom over the diminutive Aki and Pawpaw both physically and psychologically. The night scenes are particularly well-handled; instead of the muddy, underexposed shots common in lower-budget productions, the lighting remains consistent, using the neon glow of Lagos to create a sense of unease. However, the film occasionally slips back into "TV-style" wide shots during long dialogue scenes, which kills the momentum of the pacing.
Sound Design and the Music of Suspicion
In Nollywood, sound is often the "Achilles' heel." We’ve all suffered through wind noise hitting the lapel mics or background generators humming over a romantic confession. Thankfully, Trouble in Lagos boasts clean dialogue. The sound mixing is balanced, allowing the chaotic sounds of Lagos traffic to feel immersive without drowning out the actors.
The score, however, is where the film wears its heart on its sleeve. The music cues are heavy on the "suspense" strings whenever Kanayo enters the frame. It’s a bit on the nose—bordering on comedic—but it plays perfectly into the audience's expectations. When the traditional drums kick in during the "secret room" sequences, the cultural resonance is undeniable. It feels like a nod to the old-school thrillers of the 90s, updated for a modern ear.
The Ritual Trope vs. Modern Reality
The genius of the screenplay lies in how it plays with Nigerian societal norms and the "Money Ritual" trope. For the first hour, the film leads the audience (and the protagonists) down a garden path. We see Chief Odobo acting "suspiciously"—the late-night outings, the red-themed decor, the stern warnings to stay away from the locked room.
Oka and Meas represent the average Nigerian’s skepticism toward "unexplained wealth." Their decision to spend their last savings on a "protection" charm from a local herbalist is a hilarious yet biting social commentary on how poverty breeds superstition. Their logic is flawlessly Nigerian: “If he wants to use us for 'Odeshi,' we must first get 'Odeshi' for ourselves.”
Performance Analysis: The Chemistry of Legends
Kanayo O. Kanayo delivers exactly what the audience wants, but with a nuanced twist. He doesn't play a caricature. His Chief Odobo is a man of few words, a businessman who values "diligence," making his eventual downfall feel more like a Greek tragedy than a simple police bust.
Aki and Pawpaw (Ikedieze and Iheme) prove that their comedic timing hasn't aged a day. Their ability to switch between Igbo-inflected English and rapid-fire Pidgin adds a layer of authenticity that makes the characters feel like people we know. Their chemistry is the engine of the film. Without them, the middle act—which drags slightly as they spy on the Chief—would have fallen flat.
The standout supporting performance comes from Margaret (the housemaid). She serves as the bridge between the boys' village paranoia and the harsh reality of the city. Her performance is grounded, providing a necessary foil to the heightened antics of the lead duo.
Production Design: Costume and Status
The wardrobe department deserves a shout-out for the "Costume Storytelling." Chief Odobo’s flowing Agbadas and expensive wristwatches contrast sharply with the boys' oversized, slightly faded shirts. This isn't just about fashion; it’s about the power dynamic. In Nigeria, how you dress is how you are addressed, and the film uses this to show the boys' desperation to "belong" to the Lagos elite.
The Plot Twist: A Subversion of Expectations
[Minor Spoilers Ahead] The climax of the film is where Trouble in Lagos earns its stripes. For two hours, we are prepared for a supernatural showdown. We expect shrines, goats, and incantations. Instead, when the door to the secret room is finally kicked open, we find not a ritual pot, but the cold, hard reality of the drug trade.
By pivoting from "Ritualism" to "Drug Trafficking," the film moves from folklore into contemporary social commentary. It reflects the modern Nigerian reality where "The Hustle" often masks something much darker and more institutionalized than ancient spirits. The arrival of the State CID is a bit "Deus ex Machina"—a bit too convenient—but the emotional payoff of seeing the boys realize that their master was a common criminal rather than a dark wizard is profound.
Pacing Issues: The "Nollywood Stretch"
The film isn't without its flaws. At nearly two hours, it suffers from what I call the "Nollywood Stretch." There are subplots involving a street preacher and neighborhood gossip that add little to the central tension. These scenes feel like they were added to ensure the movie hit a certain runtime for streaming platforms. A tighter 90-minute cut would have made the suspense much more electric.
Thematic Depth: Vanity and the Cost of Curiosity
The final scene, where the boys are forced back to the village, is a sobering end. It avoids the typical "happy ending" where the servants inherit the master's wealth. Instead, it offers a moral lesson on the vanity of life and the dangers of the "get rich quick" mentality. It asks a difficult question: Is it better to be poor and safe in the village, or "big" and looking over your shoulder in Lagos?
The Verdict
Trouble in Lagos is a bridge between two worlds. It honors the tropes that built Nollywood while attempting to deliver the technical polish expected by a global audience on platforms like Netflix or Prime Video. While the pacing is occasionally sluggish, the powerhouse performances and the clever subversion of the "Ritual" genre make it a must-watch.
It is a film that understands its audience—it knows when to make us laugh, when to make us scared, and when to make us think about the state of the nation.
Who should watch this? * Fans of the classic Aki and Pawpaw era who want to see their idols in a more "mature" production.
Anyone who enjoys a social thriller with a heavy dose of Nigerian humor.
Critics of the "Old Nollywood" who want to see how the industry is evolving its storytelling.
Call To Watch The Movie: Don't let the title fool you into thinking this is just another slapstick comedy. Trouble in Lagos is a gritty, funny, and ultimately tragic look at the Nigerian Dream. Watch it for the chemistry, stay for the twist.
Who Should Watch This Film? If you grew up watching Aki na Ukwa but now enjoy the high-stakes drama of King of Boys, this film is the perfect middle ground for you. It's for the viewer who loves Nigerian nostalgia but demands modern production values.
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