“To Kill a Monkey” is a Nigerian crime drama series created by Kemi Adetiba. It follows the story of Efemini, a brilliant graduate struggling to make ends meet in Lagos. He’s broke, jobless, and has children to care for. Life was clearly dealing with him.
Things took a sharp turn when an old schoolmate, Oboz (played by Bucci Franklin), comes back into his life — rich, flashy, and neck-deep in online fraud, a scam known as “Monkey.” Soon, Efemini finds himself pulled into this high-tech crime world full of money, lies, and betrayal.
Efemini later finds himself in a big mess, where his life and his family’s lives are being threatened by “Teacher.”
Meanwhile, Inspector Mo (Bimbo Akintola), a tough and determined police officer, is doing everything she can to take down the scammers. Her path eventually crosses with Efemini’s in a really intense way.
What I Liked:
The acting is really strong. Bucci Franklin as Oboz is seriously good — he owns every scene he’s in. William Benson, who plays Efemini, also gives a very believable and emotional performance.
The story feels very realistic. It shows the pressure a lot of Nigerians face — having degrees but no job, and being tempted to do illegal things just to survive.
The movie looks great. The visuals, the music, the way Lagos is portrayed… it all comes together to give the show a gritty and intense feel.
What Could Be Better:
The first episode starts with a long ritual scene that felt a bit too intense and confusing at first.
Some of the side characters didn’t get enough depth, so a few scenes didn’t hit as hard as they could’ve.
The pacing was off at times — some scenes were fast, others dragged on a bit. Also, the continuity was off in thesome scenes, where certain jewelry pieces didn’t match.
My Final Thoughts on the Movie:
“To Kill a Monkey” is a bold and gripping series. It talks about real-life struggles, temptation, and how quickly life can change when you’re desperate. It also shows how betrayal takes its toll. It’s not perfect, but it’s powerful, and it keeps you thinking long after it ends.
