Joseph Jonathan

The Serpent’s Gift
“The Serpent’s Gift” Review: Kayode Kasum’s Film Is Undone by Shallow Cultural Detail

If The Serpent’s Gift had one lesson for Nollywood, it would be that cultural truth…

Say Who Die
“Say Who Die?” Review: Paul Utomiʼs Film Crumbles Under the Weight of its Own Ambition

Style without story is a hollow exercise, and Say Who Die? ultimately exposes Nollywood’s recurring…

Devil is a Liar
“Devil is a Liar” Review: Moses Inwangʼs Film Lies About the Story It Is Telling

The execution of Devil is a Liar is formulaic, recycling tropes we have seen countless…

Cordelia
“Cordelia” Review: Tunde Kelani’s Return to Cinemas is an Ambitious but Inconsistent Adaptation

For all its polish, Cordelia is ultimately a quiet film about a loud era, and…

PLS RT
“PLS RT” Review: Ifeanyi Barbara Chidi’s Film Brings Urgency to Nigeria’s Kidnapping Crisis

Through PLS RT, Chidi has made a film that insists on seeing kidnapping victims not…

Marked
“Marked” Review: The South African Netflix Series Is a Devastating Portrait of Moral Desperation

At its core, Marked is a quietly radical work. It asks not just how far…

To Kill a Monkey
To Kill a Conversation: Nollywood, Criticism, and the Culture of Silence

The danger of the constant antagonistic resistance to criticism is that it fosters a shallow…

Catalog
“Catalog” Review: The Egyptian Netflix Series Is Quiet But Speaks Volumes

Catalog is an invitation to reconsider the division of emotional labour within families, especially in…

Skincare
Why African Men Are Finally Embracing Skincare

Slowly but steadily, more African men are beginning to take skincare seriously, not just as…

Ms. Kanyin
“Ms. Kanyin” Review: Jerry Ossaiʼs Wannabe Horror Flick is Forgettable

Ms. Kanyin reflects the current state of Nollywood’s horror ambitions: bold ideas, impressive technical strides…