In a world where the mystical intersects with the modern, Tosin Igho takes a bold approach to reimagining juju. The result? Suspicion. An ambitious entry into Nollywood’s supernatural genre that blends elements of crime, action, and magic. The film has the stakes, delivers the thrills, and doesn’t shy away from the pain (seriously, the filmmakers went all out, wasting crates of eggs and tomatoes in the process—someone’s livelihood went down the drain!).

There is so much to unpack in this Nollywood movie, so without further ado, let’s delve right in!

Story

Love and vengeance. That’s the heart of Suspicion, all tied up in a supernatural thriller, where grief and betrayal push a man to the brink. After the murder of his friend and friend’s daughter, Voke embarks on a relentless pursuit of those responsible. This isn’t simply revenge; it’s vengeance—a deep, consuming need to restore balance and punish those who have wronged him. But as Voke’s journey unfolds, the line between justice and personal destruction blurs, leaving him to grapple with how far he’s willing to go. In the end, this story will force you to confront the cost of vengeance and question what happens when justice becomes a matter of the heart.

As Voke’s powers grow, so does the emotional toll, creating friction with his loved ones—his mother, Obatere (Tina Mba), and girlfriend, Chisom (Omowumi Dada)—who implore him to abandon his destructive path before it consumes him.

Voke’s journey centers on the moral conflict between justice, saving the ones you love, and self-destruction, but the screenplay only scratches the surface of his transformation. The film hints at themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption, yet fails to explore them with the depth they deserve. As a result, Voke’s goals feel one-dimensional, leaving the audience yearning for a more nuanced portrayal of his internal struggles.

A standout element in this film was the deliberate choice to incorporate Pidgin as the primary language of dialogue. This decision added a layer of authenticity to the film’s setting. However, the execution left much to be desired. The dialogue, while functional, struggles to capture the emotional authenticity needed to elevate the story. The use of Pidgin English feels contrived. This lack of natural flow weakens the film’s ability to convey the raw emotions tied to its themes of grief and vengeance.

The Pidgin often felt unnatural, and the moment we felt the authenticity was in the third act with the introduction of the character of Onajite. This robbed the dialogue of the emotional charge and spontaneity that typically defines Pidgin, making some interactions feel cringy.

Plot

Voke is devastated after the murder of his best friend, Rogba (Uzor Arukwe), and goddaughter, Lolu. These tragic events set Voke on a vengeful path, using his supernatural abilities to track down the perpetrators.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, keeping viewers engaged with well-integrated action sequences. Key events in the film are cleverly detailed in a subtle way as with most brilliant thrillers to make the the plot twist unpredictable.

The third act may seem complicated at first due to multiple plot twist that might appear confusing, but it becomes much clearer after a second viewing. The pieces to explain the twist are there all along. The Film ends with a cliffhanger, leaving us yearning for a sequel.

Technical Aspects

One of the highlights of the film was the action sequences, although it also faltered with excessive use of slow-motion effects. While the sound score did a good job of building tension, it could have been better. The film continues with a long and boring action score, and key moments where music, particularly traditional music could have been explored were ignored.

The cinematography, while generally serviceable, had its standout moments. One particular scene, where Voke stands on the edge of a mountain cliff, would have truly benefited from being viewed on the big screen. The sweeping view was breathtaking, and in many ways, this scene served as a deliberate choice to add visual interest and scale to the film.

The visual effects (VFX) were also noteworthy, particularly in its portrayal of juju and supernatural powers. It was seamless and, for the most part, looked almost natural. However, there were some moments where the VFX faltered, such as in a scene showing a blood splash, which felt less convincing. Despite this, most of the CGI was solid and serviceable, aiding in the storytelling without distracting from it. However, the make-up on Voke’s face when he was getting older didn’t look so good.

Lighting played an important role in the film’s visual language, with a notable use of blue tones throughout. The deliberate incorporation of blue lighting added depth and atmosphere, reinforcing the film’s eerie and supernatural elements. The lighting was not all great, particularly at the climax of the film where Chisom dies, the scene is way too bright for a sacrifice that should be done in secret.

Performances

The performances in Suspicion is broadly moderate, leaning on subtlety as their defining strength. Across the board, the actors embraced a restrained approach, which suited the film’s tone.

Stan Nze delivers a decent performance as Voke but falls short of embodying the emotional weight of his character’s grief and rage. Voke’s character is defined by grief, rage, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice. However, Nze struggles to fully convey these emotional extremes, causing Voke to come across as emotionally restrained.  His portrayal leans towards stoicism, which limits the audience’s ability to connect with his internal struggles. 

Tina Mba, on the other hand, gives a powerful performance as Obatere, anchoring her character with a commanding presence. Omowunmi Dada, as Chisom, also delivers a good performance and her character is well-written.

Equally noteworthy was the casting of Ron Mgbatoju as Edere, Voke’s father. The actor’s appearance—reminiscent of a sketchy, enigmatic “baba” that might haunt your dreams—was a perfect visual match for the role. This, combined with his subtle performance, enhanced the eerie and supernatural undertones of the film. Kalu Ikeagwu also gives a quality performance. Boma Akpore and Esegine ‘Orezi’ Allen could have been better.

The film also features an impressive performance from Kalu Ikeagwu and fairly decent performances from Shaffy Bello, Tina Mba, Ashafa ‘Small Mummy’ Salamot, Francis Sule, Boma Akpore, Tony Akposheri, and Esegine Orezi Allen.

Final Thoughts

Suspicion is a thrilling and ambitious entry into Nollywood’s supernatural genre, blending crime, action, and juju with a fresh take on black magic. However, while it builds tension and explores complex moral dilemmas, it falls short of fully immersing the audience in the emotional weight of Voke’s journey. Too much information is passed across in too little time and the audience might never get a moment to understand/digest the supernatural world that the filmmaker has created. Perhaps it could have fared much better released as a Series.

Verdict

Suspicion is an ambitious and meticulously crafted supernatural thriller offering a fresh Juju fiction genre perspective. While the film masterfully and successfully merges multiple genres (Crime Drama, Thriller, Murder Mystery) with juju fiction, it struggles to deliver the emotional impact needed to engage the audience fully. The film remains captivating for those seeking a unique take on Nigerian storytelling.

When are we getting the sequel?

Rating: 3.5/5