A Gritty Dive Into Lagos’ Underworld
Kemi Adetiba, the visionary director behind King of Boys, has returned to the spotlight with her latest Netflix original series, To Kill a Monkey. Released on July 18, 2025, the eight-episode crime thriller dives headfirst into cybercrime, betrayal, and the moral dilemmas of survival in Nigeria’s urban jungle.
What’s the Story About?
At the heart of the series is Efemini (William Benson), a man pushed to the brink by personal tragedy—losing his job, his relationship, and his stability all in quick succession. In his darkest hour, he reconnects with an old friend, Oboz (Bucci Franklin), who introduces him to a powerful cybercrime syndicate. Soon, Efemini finds himself in a dangerous spiral of greed, power, and moral corruption.
On the other side of the law is Mo Ogunlesi (Bimbo Akintola), a no-nonsense cybercrime officer determined to bring the masked syndicate down. As both worlds collide, viewers are taken on a tense journey exploring trust, betrayal, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
Standout Performances
William Benson (Efemini) delivers a breakout performance, capturing the emotional turmoil of a man consumed by desperation. Many fans on X (formerly Twitter) called him the “Denzel Washington of Nollywood”.
Bucci Franklin (Oboz) commands the screen with charisma and menace, creating one of the most complex “anti-heroes” Nollywood has seen in recent years.
Stella Damasus and Bimbo Akintola add emotional depth, with Akintola’s portrayal of Mo bringing a fierce yet vulnerable energy to law enforcement representation in Nollywood.
Audience Reviews & Feedback
The series has sparked intense online conversations, quickly landing in Netflix’s Top 10 globally within days of release.
Positive Reviews
Pulse Nigeria praised the series as “a refreshing departure from Nollywood’s glossy romance and comedy trends, offering grit and raw emotion instead.”
Thenet.ng described it as “a gripping tale of betrayal, loyalty, and survival that proves Nollywood can go toe-to-toe with global streaming giants.”
Fans also flooded social media with reactions:
“William Benson is a beast! Episode 2 had me shook.” – X user @cinemalover
“The cultural authenticity, use of Pidgin, and local slang made it hit different.” – Instagram fan comment
“Oboz might be one of the best villains we’ve ever had in a Nigerian series.” – Film blogger @ScreenNaija
Criticism
Some viewers felt the show’s pacing lagged in places, with one Reddit user saying:
“The story could have been told in four episodes instead of eight.”
Others mentioned minor plot holes and questioned certain narrative choices:
“Good acting can only carry a story so far; a few scenes felt forced.”
Despite the criticism, most agreed that To Kill a Monkey represents a significant step forward for Nollywood content on Netflix.
Themes & Impact
The series delves deep into issues of poverty, crime, and morality, examining how desperation can push people into choices they never imagined making. Its cultural authenticity, combined with gripping visuals and a haunting soundtrack, has elevated it beyond a typical crime story—it’s a social commentary on modern survival.
Final Verdict
To Kill a Monkey is raw, bold, and unapologetically Nigerian. Kemi Adetiba took risks—stripping away glamour for realism—and they paid off. While not flawless, it’s a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and powerful storytelling.
watch official trailer below
Have You Watched It Yet?
What are your thoughts on Efemini’s choices and the show’s ending? Drop your review in the comments below.
