📽️ Directed by Kemi Adetiba
Let’s be honest – To Kill A Monkey is not just a film. It is a brutally honest mirror reflecting the struggles so many Nigerian graduates face.
Watching Efe’s journey was painful, because it felt familiar. The humiliation, the emotional weight, the betrayal… it’s a story we’ve heard before – and for many, it’s a story they’re still living.
I sympathize with Efe. His suffering was intense, and unfortunately, it’s far too common for brilliant minds trying to find their footing in a society that doesn’t always reward merit.
But here’s where it gets complicated: I don’t think Oboz deserved the punishment he got, especially from someone he saw as a brother.
So what did the story teach me – and maybe all of us? A lot. These aren’t just movie lessons. They’re life lessons:
- Trust isn’t automatic – even among friends or family. It’s earned.
- Not everyone is truly your brother – but when you find real brotherhood, respect it. Don’t cross that line.
- First-class degree? That’s great, but it doesn’t guarantee street wisdom or success.
- Ruggedness can fail where diplomacy wins – choose your battles with brain, not biceps.
- Trying too hard to protect others can cost you relationships – know when to step back.
- Coworkers aren’t automatically your friends – observe, listen, be smart. Office politics are real.
- Take care of yourself – when things fall apart, it’s often “every man for himself”.
- Side chicks don’t fix anything – they’re a quick escape, not a real solution. Talk to your partner.
- Your partner’s “bestie”? They might be more than they claim. Don’t be naive.
- Yahoo (cybercrime) might look like soft life now – but it ends in shame, jail, or worse. Stop before it’s too late.
- People may not forgive you – be careful who you betray. Some wounds never heal.
- Never let anyone push you into choices you’ll regret forever – even if it feels urgent. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Final Thoughts:
This film doesn’t sugarcoat life. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply real. Whether it’s betrayal, ambition, or survival, To Kill A Monkey speaks to experiences too many have lived. It’s a wake-up call wrapped in powerful storytelling.
About the Reviewer
Dr. Raphael P Galleh is a scholar, advocate, and community voice from Lafia, Nasarawa State. He holds a BSc in Microbiology, an MSc in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, and a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Sheffield.
His research centers on host-pathogen interactions, and he’s a proud member of several microbiology bodies in Nigeria and the UK.
