‘The Plan‘, created by Dimbo and Karachi Atiya, recently popped up on our Netflix explore page, and we couldn’t help but wonder—why haven’t we heard about this before? Naturally, we had to check it out and share our thoughts.

Plot

The show follows Karama, Atika, and Mairo, three close friends caught in a web of secrets, betrayal, and survival after Karama’s husband, Alhaji, is accused of embezzlement. When Alhaji dies suddenly, his hidden stash of stolen gold becomes a dangerous asset that everyone is after. Karama entrusts the gold to her two best friends, but things quickly spiral out of control. Atika, struggling with her own demons, and Mairo, hiding a fake pregnancy, make choices that complicate their already precarious situation.

Meanwhile, Ak, a determined outsider with a grudge against Karama’s family, finds himself entangled in their affairs.

As the episodes progress, alliances shift, secrets unravel, and shocking revelations come to light—including the ultimate twist: Alhaji faked his death, but Karama was always one step ahead.

Story

At its core, ‘The Plan’ follows a familiar Northern Nollywood formula—corruption, betrayal, and power struggles. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired. The pacing is inconsistent; major events happen abruptly without proper buildup, making time jumps feel confusing. For example, Atika suddenly waking up tied up next to a dead man should have been a gripping moment, but the lack of context made it fall flat even though it was eventually explained.

Similarly, Tanko’s secret second family and Nelson’s past interest in Mairo come out of nowhere, lacking the proper setup to make them feel impactful.

The storytelling relies heavily on last-minute twists rather than carefully crafted suspense, which weakens the overall narrative. While the final reveal—that Karama was the mastermind all along—was satisfying, it wasn’t enough to redeem the disjointed journey that led there.

Performances

The performances in ‘The Plan’ are solid but not particularly memorable. Rahama Sadau delivers a palpable performance as Karama, consistent with what we’ve seen from her in the past. Mofe Duncan (Nelson) and Paul Sambo (Tanko) also maintain their usual acting standards.

Rosaline Meurer, Onyinye Ezekiel, and Adam Garba round out the main cast as Atika, Mairo, and Ak, respectively, but none of them leave a lasting impression. There is no standout performance that elevates the material beyond what’s on the page.

Technical Aspects

The cinematography is functional but uninspired—there’s nothing visually striking about how the story is presented. Sound design helps set the mood, but the choices feel generic rather than uniquely enhancing the storytelling. One notable moment is Atika’s possession scene, which comes across as more awkward than eerie due to questionable execution.

Final Thoughts

Northern Nollywood productions tend to feature the same faces and similar storylines, and ‘The Plan’ is no exception. While the supernatural element of Atika’s possession was an interesting touch, it wasn’t fully explored in a way that made it feel integral to the story. The show’s biggest flaw is that it doesn’t fully engage the audience until the final few minutes of the last episode—by then, it’s too little, too late.

The biggest reveal, that Karama had been orchestrating events behind the scenes with her uncle Baba Jodda, her brother Nasir, and Nelson, was a strong twist. However, the lack of depth in earlier episodes made it feel less impactful than it should have. The ending leaves room for a potential second season, but with Nollywood’s track record when it comes to series, who knows if that will happen?

Verdict

‘The Plan’ struggles to hold attention due to its uneven pacing and lack of emotional investment in its characters. While the final twist adds some intrigue, it doesn’t make up for the frustrating storytelling choices. At just five episodes, it’s a quick watch—but you’re not missing much if you skip it. The show has earned itself a rating of 2.75 stars.

Rating: 2.75/5