“The Black Book”: A Nigerian Movie Making Waves on Netflix
If you’re in the mood for a gritty, action-packed revenge drama that puts John Wick to shame, Netflix has a treat for you. “The Black Book,” one of the most expensive Nigerian movies ever made, is taking the streaming world by storm. It has become the most-watched movie on Netflix South Korea and has been the second most-streamed film across South America for over a week.
Don’t confuse this film with the 2007 “Black Book” by Paul Verhoeven, which the Guardian described as a “dire and overlong” melodrama. The Nigerian film, created by Editi Efflong, hails from Nollywood, the heart of the Nigerian movie industry. Despite working with tight budgets, Nollywood movies are known for their ingenuity and creativity. Even the “most expensive Nigerian movie ever made” only cost $1 million, a fraction of the budget of Hollywood blockbusters like “John Wick: Chapter 4.”
The film stars veteran actor Richard “RMD” Mofe Damjio as a former military secret agent turned deacon, whose child is framed and murdered by corrupt cops. The storyline follows his journey of seeking vengeance, and you can probably guess what happens next.
Is “The Black Book” worth watching? Fans seem to think so, and while critic reviews are yet to be fully released, there have been some early opinions. Premium Times NG praised the cast and particularly applauded Richard Mofe Damjio’s performance, noting his incredible acting skills, especially in fight scenes. However, the reviewer also felt that some early revelations compromised the core story, taking away from the suspense.
Decider described “The Black Book” as the Nigerian hybrid of Taken and Spotlight, claiming it is torn between two different movie genres without fully committing to either. The film serves as a character study of a man grappling with his violent past while also acting as an allegory for the Nigerian nation. For Decider, the film could benefit from a stronger cohesion between its plot and style.
Another reviewer on IMDb, PrincessENewbold, had a more positive view of the film but felt that the gunplay sometimes overshadowed the story. Despite this, they considered it a great movie with heavyweight performances led by RMD, beautiful cinematography, and a believable premise.
“The Black Book” is now available for streaming on Netflix. So, if you’re in the mood for a thrilling and action-packed drama, this Nigerian gem might be worth checking out.
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