Movie Review :To Kill a Monkey—A Nigerian Thriller You Should Watch

Have you ever thought about how far you would go just to survive? Like, what would you do if life left you no choice?

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That’s what I kept thinking about while watching To Kill a Monkey. The story follows Efe, a young man trying to live in the city, struggling with poverty and betrayal, and doing whatever he can just to get by.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so connected to him. He’s not perfect. He makes mistakes, and sometimes you think, “Why are you doing this?” but at the same time, you understand why. Life is tough for him, and the movie makes you feel it.

What the Movie Is About

At the heart of the movie is survival. It’s about how life can push people to do things they never imagined. A normal man with dreams of becoming something good in the future, in a snap of a finger, everything turns against him. It’s not just about crime or being “bad.” It’s about someone trying to survive when all doors seem closed. The movie shows how poverty can crush your spirit and how betrayal can hurt more than hunger.

The	Characters
Efe	He’s the main character. A young man with dreams but no money. Everything he does comes from trying to survive, and you see both his weaknesses and his hope.
Oboz	the cybercrime boss.
Detective Raymond	the only understanding policeman.
Other characters	friends who betray him, family who can’t help, and people who make things harder. They all show how life can be unfair and how trust can be complicated.

Efe	Oboz
Inspector Raymond	Inspector Mo Ogunlesi

Teacher	Ivie	Nosa Edewor

Idia	Sparkles

Episode Highlights

Episode 1

Efe is struggling. He can’t pay rent, food is scarce, and life feels heavy. He meets Oboz, who offers him an easy way out, but he says no.

Episode 2

He gets flogged by hunger, shame, and pressure. He watches others make money, and he wonders if he could accept the offer.

Episode 3
He starts helping with small crimes. At first, it seems manageable, but he is nervous. You can tell he feels trapped.

Episode 4
Things get worse. He’s involved in bigger crimes now. People he trusted start acting weird, and you realize betrayal is everywhere.

Episode 5
He earns money but feels empty. He can't pursue his dream anymore.

Episode 6
The consequences of his choices catch up. Friends turn against him, and the police start closing in. He seems cornered.

Episode 7
Efe faces really hard decisions. He thinks about the path he took and what he wants from life

Episode 8
The ending is quiet and heavy. His dreams are gone, and he has to face the results of his actions. The story leaves questions about survival, poverty, and choices.

The Settings

A busy and lively city.	The places matter a lot in the story.
Efe’s home	small, messy, and full of unpaid bills. You feel the pressure he lives under.
The streets and business center	places where young people make evil money.
Oboz’s office	This is where Efe starts losing control.
The police station/final confrontation	where everything comes to a point.

My Thoughts

Watching this movie made me think, Efe's story may be true. People like him exist, trying to survive every day. I realized that:Poverty can make someone do things they never imagined.Betrayal hurts more than hunger.Survival can push people into decisions they wouldn’t normally make.I liked Detective Raymond. He reminded me that some people try to understand instead of just judging. Oboz was the opposite, showing how dangerous life can be when you’re desperate.

Honestly, I kept thinking about what I would do if I were in Efe’s place. Would I survive differently? Would I make the same mistakes? I don’t know, and that’s why the story stayed with me.If I were directing, I would probably give Efe a second chance. Maybe he could find forgiveness or redemption. But the ending is also realistic. Life doesn’t always give second chances, and sometimes that’s the point the movie is making

Conclusion

In this movie, poverty destroys, betrayal hurts, and survival shapes someone’s life. It is a must-watch because it is exciting but also makes you think. It shows struggles that people face every day and makes you reflect on your own choices. When I was done watching, I asked myself if I could survive if I were in Efe's shoes.
Could I handle everything?

I don’t have answers, but the movie leaves you thinking about life and the people around you.

An summary of the movie	•