To Kill a Monkey is an eight-part Nigerian crime-thriller TV series created, written, directed, and produced by Kemi Adetiba, released on Netflix on July 18, 2025.
Plot Overview & Themes
At the story’s center is Efemini, a desperate programmer burdened by financial strain and driven to provide for his family. A chance encounter with his old friend, Oboz, a cybercrime kingpin, pulls him into the lucrative and dangerous world of online fraud.
As Efemini delves deeper, he abandons his moral compass and finds himself entangled in:
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Cybercrime & Fraud: A compelling exploration of Lagos’s digital underbelly.
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Moral Decline: Each decision, steeped in compromise, pushes him further from who he once was.
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Power, Greed & Betrayal: The “Monkey” is the coded criminal enterprise, where loyalty is fluid and survival is costly.
Production & Style
Kemi Adetiba Visuals, under Kemi and Remi Adetiba, spearheaded this production—marking a distinctive shift from her past works into cyber-thriller terrain. Filming took place in Lagos in late 2023.
The style is cinematic and raw, refined yet unflinching—drawing viewers into the heart of Lagos’s gritty digital realm.
Cast & Characters
The series presents a blend of Nollywood’s finest talents:
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William Benson as Efemini—capturing the character’s moral turbulence.
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Bucci Franklin as Oboz—the charismatic and ominous mastermind.
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Veteran actors including Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Ireti Doyle, Chidi Mokeme, Lilian Afegbai, Sunshine Rosman, Teniola Aladese, and Michael Ejoor round out the ensemble.
Episodes & Format
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Total Episodes: 8
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Episode Durations: 57 to 67 minutes
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Episode Highlights:
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Episode 1 – “In the Beginning…” introduces Efemini’s struggles.
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Episode 2 – “Hand of Friendship” deepens his ties to Oboz.
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“Pour Petrol on Fire” serves as a pivotal flashpoint in the story.
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Finale – “Who Wins at the End” delivers a tense conclusion to Efemini’s journey.
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Each episode builds with deliberate pacing, layering emotional weight atop escalating moral tension.
Reception & Cultural Significance
The series marks a bold step for Nollywood on the global stage.
Critics and audiences highlighted:
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Strong acting and solid visual direction.
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Some frustrations with unexplored narrative angles—like the role of AI or cyber-detective elements—and certain plot threads that felt unresolved.
Nevertheless, the series stands as a powerful exploration of moral erosion, digital crime, and urban survival in contemporary Nigeria.
Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime, Thriller, Cybercrime Drama |
| Creator | Kemi Adetiba |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Release Date | July 18, 2025 |
| Episodes | 8 (57–67 min each) |
| Main Character | Efemini, a programmer turned fraudster |
| Core Theme | Moral decay under economic pressure |
| Significance | A technical and narrative milestone for Nollywood |
Final Thoughts
To Kill a Monkey is a gripping and morally complex thriller. It explores modern cybercrime through the lens of personal desperation and survival, painting a gritty portrait of Lagos beneath the digital glow.
Its cinematic execution, coupled with tight performances, makes it a memorable and ambitious addition to Nollywood’s streaming catalogue.
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