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“Criminal” 2024 Nollywood Thriller starring Uzor Arukwe

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Are you willing to risk it all just to save your own blood from dieing?

“Criminal” (2024), directed by Dolapo Adigun and produced by Victoria Akujobi, is a captivating Nollywood movie that has garnered significant attention since its release on May 31st. With a talented cast, including Funlola Aofiyebi, Uzor Arukwe, and Segun Arinze, this film promises to deliver an intense and suspenseful experience.

 

Storyline:

The movie’s premise, centered around a principled doctor faced with a deadly dilemma, sets the tone for a gripping narrative.

Uzor (Uzor Arukwe), an ex-convict brings his gun wounded brother to the hospital under emergency. He was told by the assistant doctors that the hospital is occupied at the moment and he might need to take his brother to a nearby hospital for immediate attention which he refused because he had researched prior to when they got to the hospital and discovered that Green leaf hospital run by the principled Dr. Amara Nwachukwu (Funlola Aofiyebi) is the best.

Now, Dr. Amara has a critical case of a pregnant woman in labour to attend to.

She’s caught in between two seas. Who is she going to save? Will Uzor get away with his crime this time? How will the hostages make it out alive? Well, this is the more reason you should see “Criminal” the movie. It has answers to your burning questions.

Three lessons stood out for me in this film and that is; Morality will always win -There’s no gain in living a life of crime. Ethics can be compromised in extreme situations and redemption is possible but requires effort and sacrifice. The saying “You can take a pig out of his sty but you can never take the sty out of the pig” stands true in this film.

Cast performance:

Uzor Arukwe’s portrayal of the dangerous criminal is commendable. He bodied the role so well and delivered. His performance brought depth and nuance to the story. Funlola Aofiyebi shines as the principled doctor, delivering a convincing and empathetic performance. We need more Doctors like Dr. Amara Nwachukwu, her act was stellar.

Technical Aspects:

The soundtrack, a mix of pulsating rhythms and haunting melodies, perfectly complements the film’s tense atmosphere. The set design, capturing the chaos of a bustling Lagos hospital, is commendable. Costume and makeup are also noteworthy, adding to the overall authenticity of the characters.

Criticisms and Analysis:

The pacing could be tighter, with a few scenes feeling slightly dragging. However, “Criminal” is a well-crafted thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie’s themes of morality, ethics, and redemption are expertly woven throughout the narrative, adding depth and complexity.

“Criminal” (2024) is a captivating Nollywood thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its engaging storyline, strong performances, and impressive technical aspects, this movie is a must-watch for fans of Nollywood and thriller enthusiasts alike.

Rating: 7.9/10

The Black Book” is another Nollywood thriller you should see. Check out the movie review here.

 

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HAKEEM – Seeking Justice: Official Movie Trailer Review

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There’s no warm-up. From the very first shot, the trailer for Hakeem – Seeking Justice pulls you straight into one man’s quiet storm. A slow walk. A bruised face. A look that says more than any line ever could. It doesn’t rely on flash or noise. It’s the silence, the tension, and the unanswered questions that leave the strongest impression.

A Story Rooted in Frustration

The trailer quickly sketches out Hakeem’s world—a man betrayed, ignored, and backed into a corner. Played by Deyemi Okanlawon, Hakeem isn’t a superhero. He’s a man who’s had enough. The scenes are tense, layered with unspoken pain, and disturbingly familiar. There’s a court. There’s corruption. There’s someone who should have listened but didn’t. And just like that, you remember this isn’t fiction for many people—it’s a version of their reality.

Deliberate, Not Loud

Rather than overwhelm the viewer with fast-paced edits or gimmicks, the trailer takes its time. Every frame feels purposeful. The lighting is moody. The sound is restrained. The violence—when it comes—isn’t showy, but sudden and personal. The result is a trailer that builds real suspense without ever raising its voice.

A Cast That Knows What They’re Doing

From the few glimpses we get, the cast doesn’t just look the part—they feel believable. Chioma Chukwuka, Gabriel Afolayan, Bolanle Ninalowo, Zubby Michael, Regina Daniels, and Liquorose all appear in sharp, grounded moments. There’s no grandstanding, just strong presence. Skales and White Money also show up briefly. Whether they’re playing roles with real weight or simply testing the waters, it’ll be interesting to watch.

A Director with a Point to Make

Abdulrasheed “JJC Skillz” Bello seems to be reaching for something different with this film. Based on the trailer, Hakeem isn’t about spectacle—it’s about truth. About how easy it is for a system to swallow the powerless. About how dignity becomes a fight. It’s political, yes—but it doesn’t preach. It just lays it bare.

Final Take

What stands out most is the restraint. There’s no rush to impress. The trailer gives just enough—then leaves you sitting with it. It doesn’t feel like a preview; it feels like a warning shot. One that says this film is going to touch something raw.

Hakeem – Seeking Justice opens in cinemas on August 1st. If the trailer is anything to go by, this won’t be a film you watch and forget. It’ll sit with you.

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Jim Iyke Unleashes Chaos in Explosive New Trailer for Sin

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The trailer wastes no time. A man with his face hidden darts through chaotic Paris traffic, blood on his hands and sirens blaring behind him. Within seconds, it’s clear—Sin is not here to tiptoe. This is a full-blown, no-holds-barred action thriller, and Jim Iyke is at the center of the storm.

After months of anticipation and cross-continental filming, Sin: The First Kill finally shows its hand with a trailer that’s as tense as it is visually slick. Dark, fast-paced, and gripping from the first frame, the film dives into the brutal world of international drug cartels, betrayal, and survival. Jim Iyke stars as a man haunted by his past and hunted in his present. He’s not playing the hero—he’s just trying to make it out alive.

The scale of the film is immediately noticeable. From the gritty streets of Lagos to the cold shadows of Paris, Sin is clearly built for a global audience. Directed by Dimeji Ajibola and Yemi Morafa, the film isn’t afraid to move fast, cross borders, or get its hands dirty.

Iyke’s performance—based on the trailer—comes across as raw and electric. One minute he’s composed in a tailored suit, the next he’s fighting for his life, rage in his eyes and gun in hand. He carries the weight of someone with too many secrets and too little time. It’s clear this is more than just another lead role for Iyke—it’s personal.

Backing him is a cast that balances screen veterans and rising stars. Toni Tones brings sharp intensity to her scenes, while Yemi Blaq, Shaffy Bello, and Chidi Mokeme lend serious weight. Viewers also get unexpected appearances from media personalities like Toke Makinwa and Teddy A, stepping out of their usual lanes into something darker.

Visually, the film doesn’t cut corners. Cinematographer Peter Moloto delivers crisp, cinematic shots, whether capturing explosive action or quiet tension. The fight choreography is tight and believable. And the pacing? It leaves no room to breathe.

It also helps that this is no shoestring-budget project. With Amazon Prime Video backing the production and a reported $2.5 million investment, Sin stands among the most ambitious Nollywood films to date. Jim Iyke, who also serves as executive producer, isn’t just aiming high—he’s aiming internationally.

Set to premiere globally on July 24 via Prime Video, Sin could mark a turning point for the Nigerian film industry. It’s not just the action, or the star power, or the slick camera work. It’s the intent. This is a film that wants to do more—and be more—than what’s come before.

With the trailer now out and buzz growing fast, one thing is certain: Jim Iyke isn’t whispering. He’s kicking down the door—and Sin might just be his loudest statement yet.

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To Kill a Monkey: Kemi Adetiba Teases a Gripping Crime Saga

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Kemi Adetiba doesn’t repeat herself. After the grand ambition of King of Boys, she returns with something leaner, darker, and much more personal. Her latest project, To Kill a Monkey, is an eight-part crime series set to premiere on Netflix this July. From the very first episode, you can tell the story isn’t about power—it’s about the weight people carry. That weight builds over time, quietly pressing in, until something eventually snaps.

At the centre is Efemini (William Benson), a man living an ordinary life until a familiar face from the past turns up. What begins as a simple reunion soon becomes a spiral into cybercrime, where choices shrink and consequences multiply. There are no flashy setups or over-the-top plot twists. What you get instead is a portrait of a man slipping into a life he never imagined for himself—bit by bit.

 

The trailer, released in late June, keeps things subtle. There are no dramatic speeches or slow-motion chaos. Just quiet tension, restrained performances, and a world that feels close—maybe too close. Benson plays Efemini with the kind of stillness that suggests inner turmoil, while Bucci Franklin, as the friend who leads him astray, brings just enough charm to make you uneasy.

The cast is packed with familiar names—Stella Damasus, Ireti Doyle, Chidi Mokeme, Bimbo Akintola, Lilian Afegbai—but this isn’t a story built around celebrity moments. These actors blend into the world. Their performances don’t demand attention; they earn it. They play people who seem real, caught in circumstances that feel all too familiar.

 

Filmed over two months in 2023, the series marks a new phase for Adetiba. It’s her first major project without Sola Sobowale, and the shift in tone is unmistakable. Gone are the fiery confrontations and political theatre. What remains is quiet desperation—and the choices people make when there are no good options left.

To Kill a Monkey doesn’t try to impress. It tells a story about survival, temptation, and the heavy cost of crossing lines you thought you never would. If the full series delivers on the promise of its trailer, it may be Kemi Adetiba’s most focused and emotionally honest work yet.

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