“In a twist of fate, one wrong number changes the lives of a group of close-knit friends.”

From the trailer to the teaser, and even the publicity of Wrong Number, different things are communicated, making it difficult to understand the film’s genre. For all we know, a drama about a ‘wrong number’ is what to expect.

Marketed as an action-filled and thought-provoking exploration of the implications of mistaken identity, the film ultimately fails to deliver the promised thrills and excitement. Instead, it comes off as a comedy due to its absurdity, and is treated as such. The implications are unfelt and lack impact.

Story

The story starts with a promising premise: one wrong number that has the potential to unravel lives. The initial curiosity stems from intriguing questions—why did the musician include his number in a song, and what drama unfolds as a result?

The film follows an unpredictable trajectory with an interesting twist that engages viewers initially. However, the execution quickly becomes tedious, causing the audience to feel disconnected from the narrative.

While attempting to address themes of mistaken identity and abduction, the film does so in a superficial manner. It lacks a thorough exploration of the underlying issues, rendering its message shallow and unconvincing. This lack of depth prevents the film from resonating on a deeper level and diminishes its potential for meaningful commentary.

Plot

The plot flows relatively smoothly. As typical, following one event after another. With a major plot hole. The plot is riddled with a significant inconsistency that detracts from its overall coherence. Key events and character decisions lack coherence, making it difficult for the audience to suspend disbelief. For instance, the premise of a man being abducted due to a mistaken identity based on a wrong number is far-fetched and not convincingly executed. So, the abductors can’t recognize Reminisce in this simulated society where he’s so popular?! Come on.

In short, the plot lacked logic as it progressed.

The Cinema Experience

Before the film started, adverts were run, and the sound quality from the adverts of other films were really impressive. So, I expected the best viewing experience pertaining sound. But, the sound quality of Wrong Number fell short. The sound lacks the depth needed to fully engage viewers, and the musical score is forgettable, failing to enhance the film’s mood or tone. It feels more like an afterthought than a crucial element of the storytelling, diminishing the film’s overall impact.

The editing is rushed, with abrupt cuts that disrupt the narrative flow. Long, unnecessary montages pad the runtime but ultimately contribute to a dragging pace. This results in a viewing experience that is both boring and frustrating.

Technical Aspects

In summary, Wrong Number reflects poor filmmaking. The cinematography is uninspired, with bland shot compositions and a lack of visual creativity. The film fails to utilize the visual medium to enhance its storytelling, providing only the basics needed to convey the story. While the visuals look decent, they lack the flair to make the film stand out, contributing to its overall mediocrity.

The film suffers from erratic pacing, especially during scene transitions. The jarring cuts leave little time for viewers to process the previous scene, while the choppy editing disrupts the flow. Abrupt transitions between scenes further contribute to a disjointed viewing experience, making it difficult for the audience to stay engaged. Long montages exacerbate these pacing issues, making the film feel padded and unfocused.

Performances

The performances struggle to make an impact due to the disengaging story. Nancy Isime delivers a competent performance, but her character remains one-dimensional. Seun Ajayi, the lead actor, performs adequately but with exaggerated flair.

Similarly, Baaj Adebule’s character is irritating, and his shift in responsibility feels off-putting, possibly due to a poorly executed character arc. Both Seun and Baaj’s performances are exaggerated, primarily for comedic effect, which feels misplaced given that the film was marketed as an action-packed and thought-provoking piece. Reminisce’s performance is also lackluster, possibly due to his absence from the cinematic scene for a while now.

Additionally, the trope of giving a character a cigar to signify them as a “bad ass” feels clichéd and uninspired, reducing the character to a stereotype, as seen with Manuel Bimbo’s role. Furthermore, Shaffy Bello’s portrayal lacks believability and consistency but there is relatability.

Final Thoughts

Wrong Number is a prime example of bad filmmaking. It lacks logic, coherence, and creativity, resulting in an annoying and frustrating viewing experience. The film’s numerous shortcomings in plot, direction, acting, and technical execution make it a forgettable entry in Nigerian cinema. Instead of engaging the audience, it leaves them questioning the decisions behind its creation. A more thoughtful approach to the script, better direction, and improved production quality could have salvaged this film, but as it stands, Wrong Number fails to deliver on almost every front.

The direction of this film doesn’t have a clear vision, only in the sense that the film look is consistent with the neo-naturalist society the film is set in. The overall production quality is not bad but subpar, nothing really stands out.

Despite being rated 15, it features a scene that seem inappropriate for its rating, such as a woman wearing a bra and shorts. This not only raises questions about the film’s adherence to its rating but also feels gratuitous and unnecessary.

Verdict

Based on the extensive premise covering poor execution in story, plot, technical aspects, and performances, Wrong Number warrants a 1.5 out of 5.

This rating reflects its significant shortcomings and the overall negative impact on the viewing experience.

Rating: 1.5/5