‘Move Like a Boss,’ a spin-off of Biodun Stephen’s 2023 film ‘Donkey Curse,’ quietly hit Prime Video. We missed it during its initial cinema run, but now that it’s streaming, we decided to check it out. Here’s our honest take.

Plot

The film centres around Joko, who is forced to protect her father’s business from greedy family members while he’s away on a vague “pilgrimage and self-awakening” journey. Joko hatches an outrageous plan, donning a prosthetic mask to impersonate her father and maintain control of the company.

The premise itself is far-fetched and difficult to believe, even in the context of a Nollywood comedy. The idea that anyone—let alone close family members and friends—would be fooled by a mask is just too unrealistic. It’s a bizarre plot that feels out of touch, making it hard to stay invested.

Story

Joko’s impersonation scheme is the central focus, but the execution is flawed. The prosthetic mask looks awkward and not convincing enough to fool people who have known her father for years. This glaring plot hole makes it hard to take the story seriously. It’s an idea that might have worked in a farce or a parody, but here it falls flat and feels poorly thought out.

Performances

The performances are lacklustre across the board. Yemi Solade, usually a strong presence, delivers an underwhelming performance that’s far below his usual standard. Victor Osuagwu’s return to the screen is notable, but his role feels like a recycled version of characters he’s played before, offering little that’s new. The film is filled with over-the-top dramatic scenes, but instead of adding humour, they drag the movie down with exaggerated acting and irrelevant moments.

The climax, where Joko’s father finally shows up, is a major letdown. It’s supposed to be the high point of the movie, but the scene is so anticlimactic that it leaves you wondering why you invested your time watching.

Technical Aspects

On a positive note, the film’s visuals are appealing, and the colour grading complements the comedic tone. However, there are technical issues that shouldn’t still be present in Nollywood films—like noticeable camera shakes in some scenes. The soundtrack features just two main songs that play repeatedly throughout, and while they fit the genre, they often feel misplaced and disrupt the flow of the movie. Joko’s unrealistic mask had a noticeable clip during the club scene, creating a cringy atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to believe that a Nigerian parent would leave on a trip without telling their child where they’re headed, yet that’s what happens here. The constant repetition of “clause 33G” quickly becomes annoying, and scenes like Colorado bringing a car to Aunty Wura add nothing but unnecessary filler. This kind of overdone comedy is wearing thin in Nollywood, and ‘Move Like a Boss’ does little to offer something new.

Verdict

After watching, it’s clear why this film flew under the radar—it’s a disappointing comedy that fails to stand out. If you’re looking for something to watch with time to spare, it might be worth a look but don’t expect much. Overall, it’s an unremarkable effort that earns a rating of 1 out of 5 stars from us.

You can catch ‘Move Like a Boss’ streaming on Prime Video.

Rating: 1/5