Ruthless sets itself up as a bold and groundbreaking entry in West African cinema, billed as the region’s first female mixed martial arts (MMA) sports drama. The film’s promotional campaign builds significant anticipation, promising grit, vengeance, and emotional intensity.

Taglines like “Sweat, Blood, Tears” and themes of survival, revenge, and inner strength suggest a compelling and visceral narrative.

On paper, these descriptions paint the picture of a high-stakes gritty thriller. But, does Ruthless deliver on these promises? The narrative must reflect the tension and depth marketed to its audience.

This disparity between promise and delivery will serve as a critical lens through which we will evaluate the film. If the marketing campaign defines Ruthless as a story of grit and survival in the midst of a perilous “game,” then the narrative must reflect this intensity. The real test lies in how effectively these expectations are realised on screen.

Story

Ruthless aims to tell a story of resilience, vengeance, and survival in a morally fraught and dangerous world. Ruth’s journey is one of personal growth and redemption, as she faces the external challenges of an exploitative underground fighting ring while grappling with internal demons from her traumatic past. Themes of justice and inner strength are woven throughout, positioning Ruth as a symbol of defiance against systemic manipulation.

The story contains compelling themes, but they are not always explored to their full potential. Ruth’s resilience and trauma are central to the narrative, yet her inner struggles often remain surface-level. For instance, scenes revealing a traumatic memory involving her father’s violent behaviour and her mother’s death, but the film does not fully delve into how this trauma drives Ruth’s present-day decisions or growth

By leaning heavily on Ruth’s fiery personality, the story misses opportunities to delve deeper into her psychological struggles. As a result, while the themes of survival and resilience are present, they lack the emotional resonance needed to truly connect with the audience. The dialogue is quite commendable.

Plot

The film’s plot revolves around Ruth’s rise in the underground fighting world, driven by her quest to save her sister from a cultist and escape the clutches of the manipulative Iron Lady. Along the way, she faces betrayal, addiction, and escalating conflicts with adversaries like Venom and Sledgehammer. Moments like Ruth’s descent into drug use or the climactic fight against Sledgehammer, are designed to heighten tension and emotional stakes.

While these events create momentum, the plot occasionally falters in tying them to the film’s themes. For instance, Iron Lady’s refusal to pay her fighters is a central source of conflict, yet her motivations remain unclear, making her actions feel arbitrary rather than deeply rooted in her character.

Similarly, transitions between key events often rely on coincidence, such as when Iron Lady’s men conveniently rescue Ruth and Paula without explanation. Additionally, the hypnotherapy sequence, meant to unearth Ruth’s repressed trauma, could have been made more impactful by visually aligning with her emotional state. These narrative gaps disrupt immersion, leaving the story feeling less cohesive than it could have been.

Performances

The performances are largely functional, bringing the characters to life without fully elevating the material. Sandra Okunzuwa as Ruth demonstrates physical intensity, with her fight scenes showcasing her preparation and commitment. However, Ruth’s emotional depth is underexplored; her trauma and relationship with her sister seem to lack depth, and her anger often overshadows her vulnerability. By the film’s conclusion, the crowd’s chant of “Ruthless, Ruthless” feels disconnected, as the narrative fails to justify the title’s thematic significance.

Kate Henshaw as Iron Lady delivers a commanding presence, effectively portraying the character’s intimidation and control. Yet, Iron Lady lacks complexity or emotional layers that could have made her a truly memorable villain. Her one-dimensional portrayal as a manipulative antagonist misses an opportunity to explore her motivations or the ruthlessness promised.

Similarly, Chidi Mokeme’s performance as Raptor captures the character’s toughness and experience but doesn’t delve into his emotional struggles, such as his guilt or past trauma. These performances, while serviceable, lack the emotional depth needed to fully realise their characters’ potential.

Supporting actors like Obumneke Obilo as Venom, Princess Obuseh as Sledgehammer, Lina Idoko as Paula, Chineye Ulaegbu as Queen, and Zubby Michael as C4 contribute to the ensemble with varied levels of success, but the overall execution would have benefited from greater consistency in emotional delivery and character development.

Technical Aspects

The technical execution leaves much to be desired. Ruthless struggles to find cohesion in its technical execution.

One of the most glaring technical flaws is the inconsistency in the film’s sound design and score. The soundtrack shifts abruptly, creating a jarring effect that disrupts the emotional flow of the scenes. Equally, the score often feels unrefined, with some transitions resembling the quick cuts of a TikTok skit rather than a cohesive musical accompaniment to the narrative. The intention may have been to heighten tension or drama, but the lack of polish in the sound and score detracts from the film’s overall quality.

The cinematography occasionally shows promise but is inconsistent in its ability to visually convey the story’s emotional depth. For instance, scenes tied to Ruth’s subconscious trauma could have been shot more creatively to visually represent her internal struggles. Instead, the filmmakers opt for an observer’s perspective, relying on dialogue to explain what the visuals fail to communicate. This choice limits the audience’s ability to connect with Ruth’s pain on a visceral level, missing an opportunity to use the medium of film to enhance emotional storytelling.

Final Thoughts

Ruthless is an ambitious step into new territory for Nollywood, blending sports drama with themes of survival, trauma, and personal redemption. As the first female-led mixed martial arts film in West African cinema, it deserves credit for pushing boundaries and sparking a conversation about representation in action narratives.

The film’s attempt to place a strong female protagonist at the centre of an emotionally and physically demanding story is notable, even if the execution doesn’t fully meet its aspirations.

The titular “ruthlessness”, a concept marketed as central to the narrative, is missing in both its characters and storytelling. Ruth, Iron Lady, and the broader narrative lack the intensity or thematic depth required to deliver on this promise. However, the film’s ambition signals an important shift in Nollywood’s willingness to experiment with genre and character-driven stories.

This film does succeed is in sparking a conversation about representation in West African cinema. By placing a strong female protagonist at the forefront and delving into themes like trauma, sisterhood, and survival, the film broadens the scope of stories Nollywood can tell. Sandra Okunzuwa’s effort to embody Ruth, alongside the contributions of the cast, reflects a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional Nollywood narratives.

Sandra Okunzuwa gives a memorable performance as Ruth.

Verdict

In the end, Dimeji Ajibola’s Ruthless is a parting gift for Nollywood.It’s an imperfect but unique experiment, laying the groundwork for future stories that can build on its strengths while addressing its shortcomings. For audiences, it offers a glimpse of what’s possible when Nollywood ventures into exciting stories and genres.

Ruthless is currently streaming on Circuits. Recommended.

Rating: 2.8/5