Tokunbo: A Thriller That Stalls on Delivery

Set in  the bustling streets of Lagos, where opportunity and danger often walk hand in hand, Ramsey Nouah’s “Tokunbo” attempts to tell a story of redemption, desperation, and high-stakes crime.

However, much like its protagonist’s ill-fated taxi ride, the film finds itself stuck in traffic, unable to reach its intended destination.

Gideon Okeke stars as Tokunbo, a former car smuggler trying to leave his criminal past behind for the sake of his young family. When his son falls critically ill, Tokunbo reluctantly returns to the underworld, becoming entangled in a kidnapping plot that threatens everything he holds dear. It’s a premise ripe with potential, promising edge-of-your-seat thrills and moral complexity. Unfortunately, “Tokunbo” delivers neither, instead offering a disjointed narrative that never quite shifts into high gear.

Okeke brings a quiet intensity to Tokunbo, effectively conveying the character’s internal struggle between his desire for redemption and the desperation driving him back to crime. However, the script rarely allows him to fully explore the depths of Tokunbo’s anguish, settling instead for surface-level drama that fails to resonate emotionally.

The supporting cast fares similarly, with talented actors like Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi (as Central Bank Governor Folashade) and Chidi Mokeme (as the menacing gangster Gaza) doing their best with underwritten roles. Child actor Darasimi Nadi shows promise as the kidnapped Nike, but her character’s bond with Tokunbo feels rushed and unconvincing(it was giving an undeveloped version of Biodun Stephen’s Muri and Ko car scenes)

Nouah’s direction shows flashes of style, particularly in the film’s action sequences. Car chases through Lagos’ crowded streets provide brief moments of excitement. However, these bursts of energy are few and far between, with much of the film plodding along at a sluggish pace that saps any building tension.

The screenplay, penned by Todimu Adegoke and Thecla Uzozie, is perhaps “Tokunbo’s” greatest weakness. Potentially intriguing subplots are introduced only to be abruptly abandoned, while the main narrative moves forward with little regard for logic or character motivation. The film’s attempts at twists and revelations land with a thud, lacking the cleverness or impact to truly surprise the audience.

Particularly disappointing is the film’s treatment of its female characters. Folashade, introduced as a strong-willed reformer ready to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges, is reduced to a one-dimensional worried mother with little agency in the story. Similarly, Tokunbo’s wife Lisa (Tosin Adeyemi) exists solely to fret over their son’s illness, never developing into a fully realized character in her own right.

The film’s technical aspects are a mixed bag. While the cinematography captures the gritty energy of Lagos, some of the visual effects work (particularly in key action sequences) is distractingly amateurish. The sound design is inconsistent, with dialogue often difficult to discern amid the background noise.

“Tokunbo” attempts to tackle weighty themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the cycle of violence, but its shallow exploration of these ideas leaves the viewer unsatisfied. The film’s ending, which should be a tense climax bringing together all the narrative threads, instead feels rushed and anticlimactic.

Perhaps what’s most frustrating are the glimpses of a better movie lurking just beneath the surface. The idea of a reformed criminal forced back into a life of crime to save his child has potential, as does the political intrigue surrounding the kidnapping plot. However, “Tokunbo” never fully commits to either storyline, resulting in a muddled mess that fails to engage on any level.

In the end, “Tokunbo” is a reminder that even the most promising premises require careful and well-thought out execution to succeed. While Ramsey Nouah shows improvement of his directorial skill, the film ultimately fails to deliver the thrills and emotional depth that its genre demands.

Release date: August, 23, 2024

Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes

Streaming platform: Netflix

Director: Ramsey Nouah

Cast: Gideon Okeke, Chidi Mokeme, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Tosin Adeyemi,Darasimi Nadi, Majid Michel, Norbert Young, Ivie Okujaye,  Stanley Chibunna, and Adunni Ade.