Nigerian filmmaker, Kemi Adetiba, has done it again—and this time, she’s pulled no punches with her latest Netflix series, To Kill a Monkey.
The film isn’t just a crime drama; it’s a brutal psychological mirror reflecting Nigeria’s simmering truths.
Since its July 18, 2025, debut, the eight-part thriller has taken social media and Nollywood circles by storm—drawing raves, debates, and more than a few dropped jaws.
A Crime Tale That Cuts Deep
Set in a world where survival often requires moral compromise, To Kill a Monkey follows Efemini (played by William Benson)—a once-righteous man slowly swallowed by the lure of cybercrime. Opposite him stands the magnetic and menacing Oboz-Da-Boss (Bucci Franklin), whose ruthless charisma pulls everyone into his orbit.
Nigerians are here for the tension.
“William Benson is a beast! That scene in Episode 2 gave me chills,” one viewer posted on X.
“Bucci Franklin is cooking. His performance is dangerous and delicious.”
“Kemi Adetiba knew what she was doing casting these two. The chemistry? Electric.”
Behind the Faces: Raw Emotion, Real Pain
Even behind the scenes, the emotional gravity was undeniable. Veteran actor Chidi Mokeme, who plays a pivotal role as Teacher, admitted that Adetiba’s character briefing brought him to tears.
“I cried the whole night,” Mokeme shared on Instagram. “I couldn’t separate myself from Teacher’s pain. Kemi, your vision is brutal, but beautiful.”
The cast’s vulnerability has translated into an authenticity on-screen that viewers can’t ignore.
Grit Over Glamour: A New Chapter for Adetiba
Critics have hailed To Kill a Monkey as a mature evolution for the King of Boys director. Gone are the flamboyant set pieces. Instead, Adetiba leans into psychological tension and gritty realism.
Review site Kraks gave the series an 8.2/10, praising its immersive storytelling, multilingual dialogue (including Pidgin, Urhobo, and Bini), and unapologetic portrayal of moral erosion in modern Nigeria.
RefinedNG called it: “A controlled explosion. Less spectacle, more soul. And every frame screams precision.”
Adetiba’s gamble to strip down her visual style for raw emotional depth is paying off.
Real Voices, Real Nigeria
The cultural resonance isn’t lost on audiences. Reddit threads and X spaces are buzzing with viewers unpacking everything from the language choices to the sharp social commentary on corruption, class warfare, and digital hustles. “It’s not just a series. It’s the Lagos we don’t talk about,” a Reddit user posted.
“It made me question the line between ambition and destruction,” another shared.
Why This Series Hits Home
| Element | Impact |
|---|---|
| Acting | Benson and Franklin deliver masterclasses in restraint and intensity. |
| Direction | Adetiba trades glam for grit, letting tension and silence do the work. |
| Cultural Depth | Native languages, familiar settings—this is Nigeria, unfiltered. |
| Social Relevance | Cybercrime, poverty, ambition—every plotline feels disturbingly real. |
