The Covenant, a five-episode Netflix series directed by the late Dimeji Ajibola and produced by Vincent Okonkwo, is a gripping supernatural thriller centred on two brothers, Dagogo (Gideon Okeke) and Celestine/Sting (Zubby Michael). The series blends action, suspense, and mysticism, centring on two brothers whose bond is tested by a mysterious disappearance and hidden truths. Set in the Niger Delta creeks, it explores family loyalty, forgiveness, and the dark side of power.
The Covenant
Directed by: Dimeji Ajibola
Produced by: Vincent Okokwo
Genre: Supernatural Crime Thriller
Released on: December 12, 2025 (Netflix)
Language: Pidgin English, English
A Search That Uncovers Hidden Truths
The series opens with Celestine’s disappearance and Dagogo’s relentless search, but as layers of conspiracies and mystical politics emerge, momentum wavers under the weight of exposition and delayed central mysteries. The Spare, a source of immense power demanding grave sacrifice, is revealed slowly, leaving the audience grappling with shifting allegiances and motivations. Twists arrive frequently. Some land with satisfying shock, others (like the revelation that Chief Kalu is the ultimate antagonist) feel abrupt, dislocating narrative rhythm and leaving questions about prior foreshadowing. Certain threads, such as Belma’s true loyalties or the interplay between Belma and the reverend, hang unresolved, adding intrigue but also frustration for viewers invested in coherent payoff.
Costuming and visual differentiation posed occasional challenges in following the plot, especially among factions like the militants, blurring clarity during key confrontations. Dialogue, while functional, often drags, slowing the pace of episodes that otherwise build suspense and tension effectively. Despite these flaws, the plot maintains enough forward thrust to keep curiosity alive, particularly through the unpredictable interventions of mystical forces and shifting alliances.
Cults, Rituals, and the Spear’s True Cost
The story of The Covenant is less about action and more about the emotional gravity of decisions made in fear and love. Dagogo’s journey to find his brother Celestine is complicated not just by external threats but by the heavy weight of legacy, secrecy, and moral debt. Their mother, Stella (Sola Sobowale), carries a history that is both protective and damning. From the outset, her duality is palpable. Sola Sobowale’s performance embodies a woman who is at once nurturing and calculating, concealing a deep burden that shapes her sons’ destinies. Early hints of her duplicity give way to more sinister truths, particularly the chilling moment where she kills Peter to safeguard her children, revealing the cost of her allegiance and the sharp edges of maternal love twisted by survival.
The narrative also navigates the tensions within the Brotherhood, custodians of the mystical artefact known as the Spare. Naomi’s conflicted position and her interactions with Dagogo and Celestine highlight the ambiguity of morality in this universe. Power, loyalty, and desire for control are never black and white; the Spare becomes both a literal and symbolic object of temptation, ambition, and grief. Characters like Scourge (Uzee Usman) and Belma (Tope Olowoniyan) complicate the emotional stakes, and Belma’s enigmatic presence adding layers of mystery, debt, and revelation. The story thrives on these emotional and ethical contradictions, even when narrative cohesion falters.
Performances That Carry the Weight
Sola Sobowale as Stella is perfect for the role. She brings duality: a double-sided nature of good and evil, sadness and hidden menace that balances maternal warmth with the latent menace of moral compromise. Her moments of subtle deception, particularly the interplay of sadness and calculated action, reveal a mastery of subtext rarely seen in ensemble-driven series.
The rest of the cast is solid. Gideon Okeke and Zubie Michael carry the brothers’ bond convincingly. Tope Olowoniyan’s Belma provides a compelling wild card, her quiet authority and enigmatic presence a highlight that grows in potency across episodes. Naomi and the Brotherhood collectively navigate a moral grey zone, and while some interactions feel stilted due to expository dialogue, they nevertheless convey the tension of loyalty, obligation, and fear.
The Architecture of Suspense and Mystery
The production value and direction are intentional and solid. Dimeji Ajibola’s direction is deliberate, sculpting tension through spatial framing and controlled pacing. Editing mostly preserves clarity, though the narrative occasionally lingers too long on dialogue-heavy exposition or mystical interludes, diluting suspense.The dialogue is a bit too slow, dragging the pace. Costuming has issues. It is difficult to differentiate between some characters, especially the militants. At some point, even between soldiers and attackers, the difference in factions is hard to tell. They look the same, leading to slight confusion. Overall, the series leverages technical elements to evoke unease, mystery, and moral complexity.
Final Thoughts
The Covenant is a supernatural thriller that digs deep into loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of blood. It examines the intersection of family loyalty, mystical power, and human ambition, offering moments of reflection on the lengths one will go to protect kin. The series invites viewers to consider not only who holds power, but what they are willing to sacrifice to wield it. The series has a lot of moving parts — cults, rituals, immortal spears, betrayals — but it keeps the story flowing. It is an exploration of the tension between appearance and truth, loyalty and self-interest, good intentions and catastrophic consequences.
The production value is solid, the direction intentional, and the performances carry the weight. Some twists land, others do not. The final twist feels abrupt and unearned, leaving things hanging. The series is easy to get through in one sitting, but unforgiving viewers may struggle with these flaws. If you enjoy a flowing story, you will likely be fine.
Verdict
The Covenant will engage viewers who enjoy morally complex stories and mystical intrigue. While its pacing and occasional exposition may test patience, the series rewards investment with layered characters and high-stakes tension. Fans of dramas that combine family, power struggles, and supernatural elements will find it compelling and memorable. It offers suspense, twists, and emotional weight, even with some pacing and consistency issues. Gripping and ambitious, it delivers on the promise of brotherhood and betrayal.
Rating: 3/5
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