Welcome to the month of November! Seems like Mariah Carey’s powers are getting stronger as we near Christmas! Anyway, we would have expected that the month of October would give us spooky films, right? No. Instead, Nollywood presented us with the spooks in drama, the spooks of life, the spooks of trauma, the spooks of insecurity amd revenge, and even the spooks of three confused men hijacking a plane. Yes, you read that right! With these options of spooks, we found ourselves questioning our life choices even more than ever!

So, let’s dive into the highlights of the month of October and see how our beloved industry “feared”

Life and Dirt (October 3, 2024)

Kicking off Nollywood’s October with all the drama of a reality show reunion, Bovi Ugboma’s Life and Dirt follows two men scheming for a quick payday that goes about as smoothly as a cat on a hot tin roof! With a storytelling style that keeps you engaged, the film also throws out some head-scratching questions like, why Yo sought help from a native doctor when Nene, a powerful figure, is right there! And let’s not get started on Nene forgiving him for attempted murder! Talk about taking the high road!

Yo’s chaotic journey from prison to nearly being buried alive, then magically ending up in the hospital, leaves us more puzzled than a crossword with missing clues. While some plot threads are tied up, others are left hanging like that one sock you can never find after laundry day. Despite its uneven pacing and some questionable character choices, Life and Dirt manages to entertain, earning a 2.5 out of 5. You can stream it on Prime Video, just don’t forget your shovel to dig through those plot holes!

Lakatabu: The Monster (October 8, 2024)

In Lakatabu, director Odunlade Adekola takes on the roles of director, lead actor, and writer, like a one-man band that forgot to tune its instruments! This supernatural crime drama follows Lakatabu, a fearsome criminal seeking vengeance after betrayal by the king he once served. Unfortunately, the convoluted storytelling is so tangled that it feels more like a juju gone wrong, with supernatural powers that are all smoke and mirrors.

Though the visuals capture tension, with a mix of slapstick moments clashing with darker themes, Lakatabu struggles to find its footing, leaving viewers wondering if they’re watching a thriller or a comedy skit. A disappointing 1.5/5

A Night in 2005 (October 11, 2024)

In A Night in 2005, director Temidayo Makanjuola serves up a haunting Nollywood tale that digs into the spooks of trauma, power, and justice, like a haunted house where the ghosts are your unresolved feelings! Sorry. The plot follows Ife, whose prom night goes from fairy tale to fright night faster than you can say “bad decisions.” Engaged but emotionally tangled, she finds herself on a  quest for vengeance after encountering a political figure who’s more connected to her past than your father’s sister at family  thanksgiving.

While tackling serious themes like violence against women and toxic parenting, it sometimes simplifies Nigeria’s complex landscape, leaving us wondering if the ending is more of a jump scare than real closure. As Batman wisely quips, “Justice is about harmony. Revenge is about you,” and Ife’s journey blends both. Just with more emotional baggage. A Night in 2005 earns a spirited 3.5 out of 5, perfect for those ready to confront their own spooky pasts!

Inside Life (October 11, 2024)

This limited Nollywood series takes a spine-chilling plunge into non-conformist cinema, as director Clarence Peters makes his Netflix debut with a supernatural crime drama that feels like a horror buffet; offering a little bit of everything, but you might end up with a plate full of confusion! Set in a prison where the only thing scarier than the inmates is the plot twists, the film juggles multiple parallel stories that delve into dark themes like death, human trafficking, and the horrors of everyday life.

The initial storytelling grips you with its gritty realism, things take a turn for the supernatural in Episodes 5 and 6, making you wonder if you accidentally tuned into a paranormal investigation instead of a crime drama. Gabriel Afolayan shines like a beacon of authenticity amid the chaos, but the cinematography sometimes distracts more than it captivates, like an animated old Nollywood ghost trying so hard to be spooky. Despite its ambitious themes, Inside Life stumbles over its own plot twists, earning a cheeky 3 out of 5.

At Ease (October 16, 2024)

At Ease dives into the heavy topic of PTSD in soldiers with all the finesse of a military drill gone awry! Directed by Seun Richards, this Nollywood drama follows Major Agbo, a Nigerian Army veteran whose life takes a nosedive after surviving a bomb blast—because who needs a calm life when you can have nightmares and hallucinations instead? While the film attempts to shed light on mental health, it sometimes feels like it’s tiptoeing through a minefield of clichés, wrapping up its two-hour journey a bit too neatly, just like putting a band-aid on a grenade wound!

The technical aspects stumble over small details, like a scar that plays hide-and-seek, and a few misplaced names. Despite its good intentions, At Ease struggles to engage, earning a lukewarm 2.5 out of 5.

Wives on Strike: The Uprising (October 18, 2024)

Wives on Strike 3: The Uprising returns after a seven-year break, and it’s like a horror movie where the real monsters aren’t the kidnappers but the men obliviously whining about their lost bedroom privileges! Just joking.

Directed by Omoni Oboli, this installment dives into the darker side of maternal love as Ebiere, played by Hilda Dokubo, transforms from a grieving mother into a fierce warrior on a mission to rescue her kidnapped son. While the film attempts to tackle serious issues like activism and societal neglect, some male characters still act like they’re trapped in a sitcom, more concerned about their dwindling intimacy than the chaos around them.

With a mix of emotional depth and misplaced comedic moments, the film’s visual storytelling elevates the experience, making it a compelling watch that earns a solid 4 out of 5, perfect for those who enjoy a blend of humor, and a healthy dose of female empowerment on the big screen!

3 Working Days (October 18, 2024)

In 3 Working Days, the stakes are higher than your bank’s signal during a cashless crisis, as father Onari races against time to save his son amid Nigeria’s chaotic banking system. After witnessing his wife’s tragic demise during a robbery, Onari finds himself navigating a nightmarish world filled with unhelpful bank clerks and a systemic failure that seems to have a personal vendetta against him.

While Deyemi Okanlawon delivers a gripping performance as a father on the edge, the film’s emotional depth is about as flat as your phone battery when Nigeria’s power grid collapses for the third time. The action sequences might have you on edge, but the sound design is more like a whisper of danger than a full-blown scream! With commendable attempts at storytelling and a unique premise, 3 Working Days earns a 3 out of 5.

Hijack 93 (October 25, 2024)

Hijack ’93 is like a horror movie where the real terror isn’t the hijackers but the sheer lack of planning. Seriously, who thought a “let’s just wing it” approach would work for a plane heist? Directed by Robert Peters, this Nollywood thriller attempts to dramatize the infamous 1993 Nigeria Airways hijacking, featuring armed men with flakey ideas about social change.

With a plot that sputters more than a dying engine, the hijackers demand political reform while threatening to set the plane ablaze because nothing says “I care about democracy” like a fire hazard 30,000 feet in the air. While the cinematography tries to evoke the early ’90s, it misses the mark, leaving us wondering if they accidentally time-traveled to a different decade. Hijack ’93 earns a grim 1.5 out of 5

Soft Love (October 26, 2024)

Soft Love is a delightful romcom that proves even love gurus can have a bad day especially when your fiancé pulls a dramatic escape on your wedding day! Directed by Holmes Awa, this vibrant film follows Zandi, a South African love expert who decides romance is overrated, only to find herself entangled with Edward, a Nigerian photographer with his own baggage. Their chemistry is as palpable as the awkwardness in Zandi’s first attempt at pounded yam and egusi, let’s just say it’s a culinary disaster that’s as hilarious as it is relatable!

While the film flirts with predictability, it throws in some delightful surprises, like Zandi’s unexpected role in Edward’s job loss, keeping viewers on their toes. With a colorful backdrop of South Africa and Lagos, the visual appeal is eye-catching. Overall, Soft Love earns a charming 3.5 out of 5.

And as we wrap up the month with this delightful romcom, it’s clear that October has given us a colorful mix of Nollywood films to enjoy!