Review: “To Kill a Monkey” – Kemi Adetiba Delivers Again, and I’m Not Just Saying That as a Superfan

On Friday, July 18th, 2025, Kemi Adetiba Visuals (KAV), under the ever-brilliant leadership of producer/director Kemi Adetiba, finally dropped the much-anticipated To Kill a Monkey on Netflix. As someone who has waited eagerly for this film since its first whisper on Kemi’s Instagram page, I knew there was no way I’d let that night pass without watching it.

So after a long day at work, I settled in for “just a few episodes”, fast forward to 4 a.m., and I’d binged the entire series. Sleep was sacrificed on the altar of great storytelling.

My love for Kemi Adetiba didn’t start yesterday. It began in 2018 with King of Boys (both 1 and 2), which made me start following her religiously on IG. When I later realized she was also behind The Wedding Party, a movie that had me grinning from ear to ear when I first watched it, I knew she wasn’t just talented,  she was special.

But what really sealed it for me was discovering that some of the most visually captivating music videos I’ve loved over the years; My Darlin by Tiwa Savage, Anifowoshe by Olamide, Toh Bad by Niyola, If I Die by Dagrin, Tease Me by Wizkid, and so many more were also directed by her, in that moment, I crossed from fan to superfan.

So when, in late 2022, she announced auditions for a new movie titled To Kill a Monkey and said she was looking for relatively unknown but talented faces, I knew I had to show up, if not for anything but for an opportunity to see her and to hear her speak.

My tag at the auditions.

Did I have acting experience? No.

Any formal training? Not at all.

But I had passion.

Kemi called and that was enough.

Showing up to the audition was surreal. The crowd was massive, in their thousands and honestly overwhelming. It was so much bigger than anyone expected, including Kemi herself, who even got teary-eyed at how many people turned up for a chance to work with her.

I got three minutes to perform, three precious minutes in front of a woman I deeply admire. I didn’t get chosen, and that’s okay. It remains one of the most humbling, inspiring moments of my life.

Which brings me back to To Kill a Monkey,  a film that proves Kemi Adetiba is capable of outdoing herself. Every project she touches somehow raises the bar even higher than the last.

The story? Stunning, rich, intense, beautifully crafted and most importantly, full of lessons.

This movie made me sit with myself and reflect.

From lessons about loyalty, to betrayal, pride, family, ambition and boundaries.

I was reminded not to betray those who once fed me.

To know my place and not assume mastery where I’m still a novice.

I saw how pride, disunity, and lack of foresight destroyed two men who might have triumphed if they had only worked together with trust.

And that line, don’t kill yourself for anyone, hit me hard. Because it’s true. In the end, no matter how deep the love or loyalty, when the music stops and the lights come on, it’s just you and your decisions. Let Jesus die for everyone. In Nigeria, let jollof rice ‘do the dying too’.

As for the plot twists, I had my suspicions.

I sensed the mistress, Ms Sparkles was playing double long before it was revealed. Her insistence that Efe should take down Oboz felt off, and my gut told me she had another master. That’s the beauty of the writing,  it respects your intelligence without making the plot too obvious.

I may not have been part of the final cast of To Kill a Monkey, but I feel like I was part of the journey. I showed up, I auditioned, I dared to dream.

Watching this film made me proud of Kemi, of the cast, of everyone behind the scenes, and yes, of myself too. #wink

Because once again, Kemi Adetiba made magic and this time, I was just a little bit closer to the fire.

It’s a 10/10.

Up close with Kemi