Seun Sonoiki’s ‘Pink Butterfly’ quietly landed on Prime Video in late December, slipping under the radar amidst a flurry of holiday releases. But as the saying goes, “Better late than never.” Let’s dive into what this film brought to the table.

Plot

The synopsis reads: “Golden Chainz,” a notorious cyber fraudster, tops Nigeria’s most-wanted list. Under pressure from the new Inspector General, the cybercrime unit assigns agent Yetunde Tejumola to infiltrate his inner circle. Disguised as “Pink Butterfly,” an influencer, Yetunde must navigate social media, capture Golden Chainz’ attention, and plant software to gather evidence—all while avoiding exposure.

The plot is easy to follow. However, the twist at the end falls flat, feeling more like an afterthought than a game-changer.

Story

The premise is intriguing, and it’s refreshing to see Nollywood tackle police investgations through a creative lens—unfortunately, ‘Pink Butterfly’ stumbles in its execution. The pacing issues become glaring in the final act, where events unravel so quickly that it feels like the story is rushing to wrap up. A more deliberate approach could have made the resolution more impactful.

That said, the film does have its strengths. The exploration of Yetunde’s dual identity as an agent and influencer brings something fresh to Nollywood’s crime-comedy genre, even if the narrative lacks the finesse to deliver on its promise fully.

Performances

Performances in ‘Pink Butterfly’ are a mixed bag. Shalewa Ashafa stands out as Yetunde/Jessica, capturing the character’s duality with conviction. Her chemistry with Tope Tedela, who plays Johnson, adds warmth to their scenes.

Charles Born has a decent performance as Anthony Drip, but the same can’t be said for Baaj Adebule and Gregory Ojefua, who portray Uche and Golden Chainz respectively. Their overly exaggerated acting, while perhaps intentional, feels out of place and detracts from the film’s overall tone.

Technical Aspects

On the technical side, the film plays it safe. The cinematography, lighting, and editing don’t break any new ground, making it visually indistinguishable from a standard Nollywood comedy. While this approach isn’t inherently bad, it also doesn’t add anything memorable to the film.

Final Thoughts

The comedy in ‘Pink Butterfly’ leans heavily on exaggeration. While this might appeal to some viewers, it can feel jarring, especially when serious moments are undercut by abrupt humour.

Certain scenes leave you scratching your head, like when Johnson shows up high on drugs and kisses Yetunde—a moment that seems shoehorned in to justify her epiphany for completing her mission. Then there’s the baffling scene where Yetunde drugs Golden Chainz, but instead of being suspicious, he carries on as though nothing happened. These inconsistencies strain credibility, particularly for a plot centred around a supposedly cunning and dangerous cybercriminal.

Verdict

‘Pink Butterfly’ defied initial expectations. While the premise and lead performance by Shalewa Ashafa adds intrigue, the film’s pacing issues, tonal shifts, and underwhelming twist hold it back. Still, it’s a commendable attempt to bring something unique to Nollywood.

Rating: 2/5