Tokunbo Review: Crime-Drama Film is Engaging

Written by Todimu Adegoke and Thecla Uzozie, this Nollywood crime-drama film follows Tokunbo, a man who is tasked to deliver a government official’s daughter to her kidnapper and in return he can save his family’s life. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Tokunbo has to do whatever it takes to make the right decision so as to save his wife and child’s life.

Tokunbo Movie Review

This Netflix film is an arresting watch albeit missing the finesse to make it truly memorable. Tokunbo, at 112 minutes, has good backstories for its characters and a riveting storyline that is more than just another kidnapping fiasco. Taking into account Tokunbo’s desperation to gather money to save his baby’s life and the economic situation in the country that Funlola Aofiyebi’s Folashade is trying to turn around, there’s a lot happening in the movie that it tackles quite well.

There is an emotional undertone in the film that makes you root for its characters. You wait with bated breath to find out what will happen to our protagonist or Folashade if this kidnapping stint is successful. There’s an air of tension that the film creates that is quite interesting and it is able to hold on to that feeling for a good chunk of the runtime. Considering the corruption in the country, the stakes are quite high and thus everyone has a lot to lose here. Whether it be the country taking a big hit thanks to Folashade’s policies not going through or Tokunbo’s unable to save his baby after not arranging the funds in time – the central conflicts and the people’s plights are relatable.

That’s one of the good things about Nigerian films in general though. The films are usually relatable and although there is a lack of finesse or an over-dependence on convenience, they are still able to hold your attention throughout the runtime. That’s the same for this Netflix film as well; you can’t help but root for the characters and thus you are hooked quite well. The corruption that is prevalent in the country also plays a big role in Nollywood movies, adding to the realism of the subject matter as well as another layer of thrill. Throughout the runtime of Tokunbo, we see how corruption has taken away the moral fibre of the country, plunging the country into crisis and turning good people into crime. These layers play a major role in creating an interest in the film.

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In spite of some convenient plots and inconsistencies, I found the twist in the end to be quite interesting. It is done well and although the film is quite simple, gives the film the punch necessary to make a good landing. It all comes together thanks as well to the performances. Gideon Okeke and Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi are great in their roles and carry the film on their shoulders. Their pain and desperation is evident in every scene and they bring out every emotion in their characters well.

Final Thoughts

Tokunbo is an entertaining and arresting film that will keep you guessing till the end. Focusing on social issues, the film employs the “time running out” trope to its advantage. The realistic situations and characters are fun and although its convenience and predictability take away from it, the film is a great one-time watch that will keep you hooked.

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