Akay Mason’s “Red Circle” Lacks Consistent Tension

Think high-stakes, compelling protagonists, unexpected plot twists, red herrings, and cunning antagonists—but would it still be a thriller if these don’t build tension?

“Red Circle,” Rixel Studio’s debut production, is undoubtedly an intentional project that focuses on a story of bravery against a corrupt system in an attempt to get justice for a murdered friend. Written by Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, it is a testament to Akay Mason’s unique directorial storytelling in Nollywood.

Fikayo Holloway (Folu Storms) leads the “Red Circle” plot on a thrilling but sometimes infuriating ride. Fikayo is unrelenting. Brave. Gullible but a risk-taker. She makes stupid decisions and cares less about consequences. If the adage of ‘the stubborn fly’ was a person, it would be Fikayo—only that, in her case, she doesn’t end up in the grave.

Fikayo wants to be an investigative journalist, but the weapons fashioned against her career are her father, Chief Holloway (Femi Branch), and her boss, Fredgene Martins. Chief Holloway wants Fikayo to take her place in the family business, while Martins wants her focused only on Fashion/Lifestyle stories.

The opportunity to prove her passion for serious journalism comes when her best friend, Venita Momoh, a singer, gets murdered by drug traffickers. Venita had discovered an underground drug trafficking spot in the club where she performed. Her death is an attempt to cover their tracks.

When Fikayo learns of Venita’s death, she is broken. She defies all warnings and life-threatening consequences to find Venita’s killers. Her journey exposes a powerful crime ring that hits close to home.

“Red Circle” explores the themes of family, drug trafficking, friendship, love, and secrets at its core, with subplots like police corruption and economic disparity. Mason’s directing style utilizes camera angles, action, vivid imagery, and sound to bring the film’s themes and nuances to life and draw comparisons. This helps set the appropriate mood and tone for each scene.

Speaking of camera angles and comparison, Mason’s brilliant approach to juxtapose Venita’s murder with Fikayo’s sex scene with Mustapha comes to mind. Both ‘choking’ medium shot positions bear similar intensity side by side. However, one choked to death, while the other choked on pleasure.

Another scene worth mentioning is where Chief Holloway and his drug-trafficking associates come face to face with Mr. A (Adebowale Adebayo) and his boys. While Chief Holloway and his members stood shoulder-high in power, Mr. A and his boys were on their knees, begging for their lives. The imagery vividly portrays a power play.

“Red Circle” stands out among Mason’s previous works—“Elevator Baby” (Drama Thriller), “SuperStar” (Drama), and “Love in a Pandemic” (Romantic Comedy). While each genre differs, one thing remains constant: the director’s unique storytelling approach.

Described as the “youngest box office director,” Mason’s narrative structure relies on pacing, which shifts between tense and relaxed. He also explores Tijani-Ahmed’s one-liners and memorable dialogues, often telling character backstories concisely. Whether it’s “Banana Island” used to describe Fikayo or “First Lady” to depict Venita’s status in her neighborhood, each line conveys a deeper meaning beyond the surface.

“Red Circle” also features a romantic drama subplot between Detective Kalu (Tobi Bakre) and Fikayo. Their chemistry feels natural, with an inexplicit sex scene that feels expected. Oshisco (Lateef Adedimeji) and Venita also delivered an unforgettable romantic comedy subplot, with their local but charming tantrums. Beyond the lovey-dovey moments, the film is a roller coaster of emotions—humorous, infuriating, surprising, and emotional.

Folu Storms as Fikayo is one dynamic character with depth as an investigative journalist. She is an annoying but interesting character. She wants justice for her friend but struggles to understand the grave danger that comes with that. Her character bears semblance to her daring role as Joy, a nosy journalist in “Baby Farm” (2025).

Only in “Red Circle,” Storms outdoes herself in embodying Fikayo’s character. From not caring about consequences to realizing that her fight is bigger than expected, she undergoes real growth.

Femi Branch as Chief Holloway delivered a solid performance. Bukky Wright, in trying to play the cunning antagonist, fell short. The only thing that made her memorable was discovering that she is the “Chairman” of the crime syndicate. Other than that, she could have easily been forgotten.

Handling the camera, Nora Awolowo’s cinematography shines in “Red Circle,” where she also doubles as a producer. The AMVCA-nominated cinematographer captured shots ranging from wide to medium and close to show the dynamics between characters and their relationships. Each shot is intentional and crafted to drive the story forward. We saw vivid shots showcasing power and powerlessness, including the stark contrast between the rich and the poor.

From the soundtrack to the score and overall sound design, everything fits the mood and tone of each scene. The score, in particular, wears its emotions on its sleeve. This is especially evident in the scene where Fikayo returns to the warehouse to find Kalu—it could open the floodgates of tears. The film’s editing, however, contributed to the lack of tension. The pacing didn’t quite evoke the edge-of-your-seat reactions expected from a crime thriller.

In comparison to Nollywood crime thrillers like “Brotherhood” and “King of Boys,” tension is the one element “Red Circle” struggles with. That’s not to say it is completely bland—it’s just inconsistent. It’s like convincing yourself you’re watching a crime thriller without actually feeling the suspense. Maybe the stakes aren’t high enough.

“Red Circle” excels in highlighting the larger societal struggle between power and class. It’s an applaudable exposé on drug trafficking, police corruption, and their dangerous consequences. For example, Officer Hamza, who got a tip to raid Lounge X, probably thought he was doing his job. However, we later learn that the Inspector of Police, also a member of the crime syndicate, is sabotaging him.

One minute Venita is basking in her stellar music performance, the next she walks in on a drug trafficking hideout. “Red Circle” clearly passes the test for a memorable inciting incident. But for a film that uses the symbolic title “Red Circle,” it falls short of delivering the significance of its name. One crucial moment where this could have been explored was during the crime syndicate meeting.

The meeting was meant to deliberate on how to handle Fikayo’s probing into their activities. Yet, the syndicates in that scene were far from terrifying and didn’t reflect the symbolic weight of the “Red Circle” title. Could it be that the title served more as a marketing hook than a narrative symbol?

At its core, “Red Circle” is a compelling attempt to blur the line between the powerful and the powerless, highlighting the lengths people go to for power. It is also a story driven by love—whether platonic, romantic, familial, or material. People will always fight for what they love.

The impact of the film leaves a clear message: “Life is deeper than you think.” As a Nollywood crime thriller, “Red Circle” may not carry all the tension needed to keep you fully invested in the story, but its message comes through loud and clear.

Release Date: June 6, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour and 49 minutes

Streaming Service: None. Cinematic Release

Director: Akay Mason

Cast: Mike Afolarin, Folu Storms, Omowunmi Dada, Femi Branch, Bukky Wright, Tobi Bakre, Lateef Adedimeji, and Adebowale Adebayo, among others.