Dead Tide bursts onto the screen as an Action Thriller, but its action is eclipsed by drama. Directed by Soji Ogunnaike, the film follows Itoro, played by Ikechukwu Onunaku, an ex-militant seeking peace after his sister’s death, until Sade (portrayed by Eniola Ajao), a social media influencer, seeks refuge in his bar after filming a murder by Dare, the president’s son (played by Ibrahim Suleiman).

Their struggle against deadly pursuers aims to grip, yet stilted dialogue and a plodding pace make it a forgettable slog, lifted only by unintended and intended chuckles at its absurdities.

A Plot That Crawls

Sade (played by Eniola Ajao), and her friend Chioma (played by Adebimpe Oyebade), film Dare (Ibrahim Suleiman), murdering Abdul at a beach resort, sparking a chase by Dare’s millitant security led by Gambo (William Benson). They seek refuge at Itoro’s wooden bar.

This one-day narrative stretches to an hour and 40 minutes screen time, feeling endless due to sluggish pacing, and self-aware conveniences, like Abdul’s bizarre choice to walk Dare far for their fatal talk, or the video’s inexplicable shift from distant to close-up, disrupt coherence, perplexing viewers. Yet, the sparse fistfights, though overshadowed by chatter, deliver brief thrills, satisfying fans of Nollywood’s dramatic style. While side plots, like Gambo’s forced menacing nature and Itoro’s over-emphasized militant past, bloat the story.

A Story That Fades

The emotional arc of Dead Tide aims to tie grief, survival, and justice, but its themes lack resonance. Itoro’s torment, shown through his dream and scar, suggests deep loss. However, his flawless heroism, repeatedly highlighted, feels sacrificial and unlikeable, leaving viewers emotionally detached from his journey. For an action, the film is largely driven by dialogue. The dialogue is generally poor and rendered without conviction.

Dare’s playful villainy points to elite corruption, but his absurdity undercuts menace, amusing some but diluting stakes. Inauthentic dialogue, like the jarring “Itoro John” or “Senayon” calls from the opening scene onward, feels theatrical, disrupting immersion for realism-seekers but delighting fans of Nollywood’s dramatic flair. This melodramatic approach entertains some, yet strands the emotional core for others, diminishing impact.

Performances That Flounder

One of the film’s biggest flaw is its performances. Ikechukwu Onunaku’s Itoro, crafted as a righteous saviour who seeks justice and saves lives, delivers a one-dimensional performance, stripping away feeling. His unconvincing love for Senayon frustrates viewers, mirroring her doubts. However, his unnatural dialogue exchanges, feels off-putting, clashing with action film expectations and alienating audiences seeking authenticity. Ibrahim Suleiman’s Dare steals focus with outrageous antics, a favourite villain drawing laughs, yet his playful cruelty lacks threat.

William Benson’s Gambo, meant to be menacing and serious and a stark contrast to Dare, appears theatrical and emotionless. The poor dialogue rendition is a consistent theme among the actors in the film.

A Barely Serviceable Production

The cinematography captures the seashore’s raw charm and Itoro’s wooden bar vividly. Early action relies on exaggerated visual effects, with bullet impacts and skeletal fractures that feel jarring (a choice that felt rather unnecessary).

The throat-slitting scene, employed practical effects with a smart cutaway to sell it, delivers sharp impact, standing out as a rare highlight. The sound design and music is serviceable and some of the stunts are impressive.

Sade and Chioma, filming Dare’s murder from atop a building, capture distant footage, yet the revealed video inexplicably shows a close-range, low-angle shot, a jarring inconsistency that breaks immersion and frustrates viewers by undermining the narrative’s logic.

Final Thoughts

Dead Tide probes the shadows of power and justice, questioning how corruption thrives and survival falters, yet the film’s inauthentic tone and talky excess mute its voice. It reflects a desire to confront elite arrogance and societal rot, but its shallow, emotionless characters and unnecessary subplots flaws the film.

Dead Tide reflects Nollywood’s consistent genre problem, where drama, not fast-paced action, fuels action films, a truth that shapes its essence.

Verdict

Dead Tide may entertain those who enjoy what if offers for what it is, but its lack of urgency and inauthentic dialogue challenge engagement. It suits viewers who embrace a drama-heavy ride with action elements and laugh at theatrical characters. By any measure, it’s flawed, but not without merit for those ready for what it offers: a mix of chuckles and dramatic flair that satisfies when expectations align.

Rating: 2/5