In 3 Working Days, a father’s desperate race to save his son unfolds against the backdrop of Nigeria’s cashless policy. This Nollywood “thriller” captures the struggle of one man battling a failing banking system, with an intense story that’s engaging but ultimately lacks the emotional depth to be a must-watch in cinemas.

Plot

In 3 Working Days, Onari’s life takes a brutal turn when he witnesses his wife, Valerie, fatally shot during an armed robbery that also injures their son, Jack. While we do not explicitly see Jack get shot, the film strongly implies his injury through its narrative context. With Valerie gone and Jack in critical condition, Onari is thrust into a race against time to secure the funds needed for his son’s treatment amid a cashless policy era.

This policy, intended to modernise banking, now proves perilous as digital payment failures leave Onari scrambling for solutions. His desperation leads him to a chaotic bank scene, where he must contend with citizens also struggling against a failing system.

In the midst of this turmoil, Onari encounters a kind stranger, who helps him bypass the queues, only for Onari to face further obstacles within the bank. Here, the film delivers a sharp critique of systemic corruption, contrasting the ease with which the privileged navigate the system against the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.

The plot attempts to build suspense through this ticking clock device, but the emotional impact remains somewhat muted. Limited exploration of Onari’s inner conflict and rushed scene transitions lessen the stakes’ intensity, a common issue in Nollywood. By allowing crucial moments and performances to linger, the film could have better captured Onari’s desperation, making the viewer feel the urgency of his plight more viscerally.

Story

The film tells a story that captures universal themes of fatherly love, desperation, and the sacrifices one is willing to make to protect loved ones. At its core, the film explores the unyielding drive of a father pushed to the edge, navigating a world that tests his every move.

Onari’s journey reveals the lengths to which a parent will go when his child’s life hangs in the balance, highlighting the heartbreak of being equipped with the means to save him yet blocked by an indifferent system. The story paints a bleak picture of financial inaccessibility and the social inequities amplified by the policy’s flaws.

This narrative draws parallels to films like Saving Onome and Tokunbo, which similarly depict desperate parents struggling to save their sick children. However, while those narratives often focus on raising money, Onari’s unique situation revolves around his inability to access his funds, which adds a distinctive layer to his desperation. Imagine having the means, but you can’t access it.

This plot device amplifies the emotional stakes, underscoring the agony of helplessness that arises when love clashes with powerlessness. Although the film’s relatable angle is compelling, the lack of deeper psychological exploration leaves the viewer observing from afar rather than feeling Onari’s struggle viscerally.

The Cinema Experience

The cinema experience of is fairly satisfactory, offering solid visuals that contribute to the film’s overall aesthetic. However, despite the competent technical execution, nothing particularly stands out to elevate the cinematic experience beyond the ordinary.

The essence of attending the cinema lies in the ability to feel immersed in the narrative, to escape reality, and to connect emotionally with the story. While the film provides a visually appealing and sensory presence, it lacks the depth of storytelling that fully engages viewers and invites them to lose themselves in the characters’ journeys in the cinema. As a result, the film may feel more suited for casual viewing on personal devices rather than as a cinematic event.

Performances

The performances are commendable, showcasing strong portrayals from the cast. Deyemi Okanlawon delivers a compelling performance as Onari, effectively conveying the character’s desperation and emotional turmoil especially in a scene where he cries from the pains of his loss. Even though his emotional struggles were palpable, they weren’t really convincing which is more of a script problem.

Supporting actors, including Nancy Isime, Uzor Arukwe as the bank manager, Adetola James, and child actor Emmanuel Odunaro (from At Ease, 2024), contribute significantly to the film’s emotional depth. Other notable performances come from Tobi Makinde, Mike Ezuruonye, and Bolaji Ogunmola, Adetola James, who, despite limited screen time, add to the overall dynamic of the narrative.

However, while the fight sequences are well choreographed, they lack the engaging energy that could have elevated these moments. The sound design during the battle sequence between Onari and Queen (Nancy Isime) notably falls short, lacking the heightened auditory effects necessary to create a truly immersive experience. This absence of impactful sound design detracts from the tension of the scenes, making them feel less visceral and emotionally charged than they could have been.

Overall, while the acting is strong, the technical aspects in these critical moments could benefit from further refinement to enhance the audience’s engagement.

Technical Aspects

Having noted the place of sound design in adding depth to action sequences, the film demonstrates a solid foundation in technical execution. A notable place of sound design in 3 Working Days is noticed in a scene which effectively creates unease with auditory cues, including simulated breathing that enhances the atmosphere, though it feels misplaced. However, the editing choices disrupt the film’s emotional resonance.

The rapid transitions between scenes undermine moments of emotional gravity that should linger with the audience, preventing them from fully absorbing the characters’ emotional journeys.

Additionally, noticeable costume continuity errors detract from the film’s credibility. For instance, Smart (Mike Afolarin) is seen wearing the same outfit on a different day, which raises questions about the narrative timeline. Similarly, an extra portraying a nurse appears in identical attire during two separate scenes, suggesting that these shots may have been filmed on the same day. While one might excuse the nurse’s uniform as standard attire, the framing of her appearances is strikingly similar, making the repetition more apparent.

These continuity errors disrupt immersion, as viewers may become distracted by inconsistencies that draw attention away from the story being told. Overall, the technical execution showcases a commendable effort, but the editing and continuity issues impact the film’s cohesiveness and emotional engagement.

Final Thoughts

In reflecting on 3 Working Days, it’s important to note that while the film faced some controversy because of its marketing, which seemed to imply a character would wear a full hijab outfit, this doesn’t actually appear in the film. Instead, there’s only a brief scene with a character using a hijab mask, so the story doesn’t go as far as the promotional material suggested.

This difference between the marketing and what’s in the movie raises questions about why the film was advertised this way. Misleading publicity can create confusion and might take attention away from the real themes of a story. For 3 Working Days, this choice could make viewers wonder if the marketing helped or hurt its message, and it reminds us of the importance of aligning promotions with what a film actually offers. Moreover, by the time the film’s trailer was released, t focused more on the themes that the film aimed to portray.

Verdict

3 Working Days delivers an engaging story with solid performances and a unique concept, but it falls short in delivering the emotional depth and thrill that would make it truly memorable. While the stakes are clear, the narrative lacks the heartfelt impact to fully connect with the audience. It’s a good film to watch, but it doesn’t quite warrant the cinema experience.

This is a story that may be best enjoyed on a smaller screen, where its strengths still shine without the high expectations of a theatrical release.

Rating: 3/5