“Tokunbo” is a 2024 Nollywood crime thriller directed by Kayode Kasum, known for his flair in bringing riveting stories to life on the screen. The movie describes a dark underbelly of society in Nigeria, dwelling on subjects such as kidnapping, political corruption, and survival. It is a story about an erstwhile car smuggler who is compelled to go back into the crime world when he has to rescue a small abducted girl. The movie is taut with the narrative that projects the moral dilemmas of people who struggle to move through a society mired in crimes and bloodshed.
It features an ensemble cast led by Gideon Okeke, Adunni Ade, and Tosin Adeyemi. Okeke played the role of a confused protagonist torn between his criminal life he had lived for so long and finding redemption. The nakedness with which it reveals the seething day-to-day life in Nigeria, combined with brutal action sequences, makes this movie unique.
Review:
“Tokunbo” has been largely praised for its audacity in storytelling and solid performances. The film is worthy of acclaim in the sense that it stares directly into the bitter reality faced by those dwelling at the edges of society. Kayode Kasum’s direction is first-rate, as suspense and tension are maintained from the very first scenes of the movie. The gritty cinematography, with a haunting score playing in the background, further adds to the dark and ominous atmosphere of this film.
One of the strong areas in “Tokunbo” is the moral ambiguity the characters carry. The struggle of the protagonist within himself, navigating through an emotionally crippling past towards hope for a better life in the future, strikes a chord with its audiences; he is a very relatable and compelling character. The others in the cast perform well, while Adunni Ade stands out somewhat as the resilient mother ready to do whatever it takes to save her child.
None of that comes without flaws, though. Some critics have pointed to pacing issues in parts, dragging the length of some scenes. Besides, if the themes are powerful, at other times, it does get a little preachy, like in portraying corruption and crime.
Perhaps, “Tokunbo” is a movie that makes a statement. One of those pieces pointing to the growing maturity of Nollywood cinema, sophisticated handling of intricate social issues, is bound to touch all. For this reason, regardless of genre or filmmaking, it will always make it a must-see for fans of action movies.
Rating:
“Tokunbo” deserves an overall rating of 7.5/10. This crime story, in many ways, really reveals talent on and off the screen, although it plunges a little at times. By considering the moral dilemmas and hardness of life in Nigeria, it becomes a brilliant contribution to the films under the cover of Nollywood and certainly is going to resonate with local and international audiences.
