The Price of Trust: Why Maurice Sam and Shaznay Okawa’s ‘The Set Up’ is a Masterclass in Domestic Tension
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Overall Rating: ............. (3.5/5 Stars)
The Nollywood romantic drama has undergone a fascinating evolution. We’ve moved past the era of "village vs. city" tropes into the high-gloss, urban "Living in Lagos" aesthetic, where the stakes are emotional and the betrayals happen in air-conditioned parlors. In the 2025 release The Set Up, directed with a keen eye for domestic claustrophobia, we see the powerhouse pairing of Maurice Sam and Shaznay Okawa. While the title might suggest a political thriller, this is a deeply intimate exploration of guilt, the toxicity of "friendly advice," and the extreme lengths a person will go to when they feel their foundation is crumbling.
The Visual Landscape: Cinematic Polish Meets TV-Style Intimacy
From the opening frames, The Set Up announces itself as part of the "New Nollywood" premium bracket. The cinematography leans heavily into warm, amber hues for the interior scenes of Pamela (Shaznay Okawa) and Ralph’s (Maurice Sam) home, establishing a sanctuary that the audience knows is about to be violated.
The camera work utilizes a variety of medium-close shots that capture the twitch of a lip or the shifting of eyes—essential in a film where characters are constantly lying. However, like many productions tailored for streaming and YouTube audiences, it occasionally falls into the "TV-style" trap—static wide shots during long dialogue scenes that lack dynamic movement. Where the visuals truly shine, however, is in the night shoots. Lighting consistency in Nollywood has historically been a struggle, but here, the shadows are intentional. When George (the antagonist) lurks near the house, the lighting contrast heightens the sense of dread, making the home feel less like a sanctuary and more like a cage.
Sound, Score, and the Nigerian Sonic Identity
One cannot review a Nollywood film without scrutinizing the sound design. We’ve all suffered through "wind-on-mic" syndrome in the past, but The Set Up mostly avoids these pitfalls. The dialogue audibility is crisp, which is vital given that the emotional weight of the film rests on whispered confessions and heated arguments.
The score is used strategically. Instead of the overbearing, "tell-the-audience-how-to-feel" melodrama music typical of older home videos, this film employs a more subtle, synth-heavy background during the blackmail sequences. Culturally, the use of Nigerian Afrobeats in transition scenes grounds the movie in modern Lagos/Abuja life. My only critique? A few scenes had the background score competing slightly with the dialogue, a post-production mix error that briefly pulls the viewer out of the moment.
Costume and Production Design: Class as a Character
The production design does a stellar job of communicating social class without saying a word. Ralph’s wardrobe—clean-cut, professional, yet approachable—reflects his status as a hardworking, "good man" trying to build a future. In contrast, Mewa (acting as the temptress Ruth) is draped in high-glam, expensive fabrics that immediately signal "Big Money" and "Danger."
The set design of Pamela and Ralph’s bedroom is particularly noteworthy. It feels lived-in and authentic, not like a cold showroom. This makes the eventual "Set Up"—where Ralph is lured to a sterile, cold hotel room—visually symbolic of the distance between marital truth and the "cold" reality of infidelity.
Narrative Structure: The Slow Burn and the Spiritual Dream
The film opens with a hook that many Nigerians will find relatable yet terrifying: the "one-off" mistake fueled by alcohol and loneliness. The pacing in the first act is deliberate, focusing on Pamela’s mounting anxiety.
A quintessential Nollywood element used here is the dream sequence. Around the midpoint, Pamela has a terrifying vision of her confession leading to immediate ruin. While some modern critics find dream sequences "lazy," in the context of Nigerian storytelling, it serves as a powerful manifestation of conscience. It heightens the stakes, showing the audience that Pamela isn’t just afraid of Ralph; she’s afraid of the moral weight of her actions.
However, the third act suffers from a slight "pacing drag." The back-and-forth between Pamela and her friends Edith and Mewa starts to feel repetitive. We get it—Pamela is guilty, and her friends are giving her terrible advice. The film could have shaved off ten minutes of these circular arguments to get to the climax faster.
The Plot Hole: The Logic of the "Get Even" Scheme
This is where The Set Up will divide audiences. The central plot logic—that Pamela should frame her husband to cheat so they can be "even"—is absurd by any logical standard. Yet, it is deeply rooted in a certain type of toxic social reality.
The "Set Up" itself (the fake 75-million-naira contract) is a brilliant narrative device. It tests Ralph’s character in the most "Nigerian" way possible: through money and sex. The film brilliantly highlights the trope of the "Lagos Big Girl" investor. While it’s a stretch that Pamela and her friends could pull off such an elaborate corporate hoax without Ralph noticing, the emotional payoff of Ralph’s refusal makes the leap of faith worth it for the viewer.
Performance Analysis: Maurice Sam and Shaznay Okawa
Maurice Sam continues to prove why he is the leading man of the moment. He plays Ralph with a quiet, masculine dignity that makes his eventual hurt all the more palpable. His chemistry with Shaznay is believable; they look like a couple that actually likes each other, which makes the betrayal sting.
Shaznay Okawa delivers a masterclass in "The Anxious Wife." Her performance isn't about big screams; it’s about the shaking hands and the way she can’t look him in the eye. Her delivery of English, peppered with occasional local inflections, feels authentic to an upwardly mobile Nigerian woman.
The standout, however, is the supporting cast playing the "friends." They represent that specific Nigerian social circle where "bad advice" is packaged as "sisterhood." Their performances are so convincing that you’ll find yourself yelling at the screen, "Don't listen to them, Pamela!"
Thematic Depth: Is Forgiveness Possible in Nollywood?
At its core, The Set Up explores the theme of Integrity vs. Interest. Ralph is presented with his "Interest" (75 million naira and a beautiful woman) but chooses his "Integrity."
The film also serves as a sharp social commentary on the vulnerability of marriages to outside influences. In a society where "Everyone is doing it," the film asks if one person can stay clean. The resolution is surprisingly mature. It avoids the easy "Happily Ever After" and instead opts for a "Working Toward It" ending. This reflection of Nigerian reality—where families often choose to "manage" and "repair" rather than immediately divorce—will resonate deeply with local audiences.
The Verdict: A Must-Watch for Drama Lovers
The Set Up is more than just a story about cheating; it’s a psychological study of how secrets can erode a home faster than any external enemy. While it has some minor pacing issues and a plot that requires a bit of "suspension of disbelief," the performances of Maurice Sam and Shaznay Okawa elevate it into something truly gripping.
It’s a cautionary tale for the modern Nigerian couple: Watch who you let into your ear, and never underestimate the power of a clean conscience.
Who should watch this? Couples looking for a conversation starter, fans of intense domestic dramas, and anyone who enjoys watching Maurice Sam play the "Perfect Husband" (with a twist).
A gripping, culturally resonant drama that proves trust is the most expensive currency in Lagos.
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