Photo: Kemi Adetiba: The King of Boys returns with ‘To Kill a Monkey’
By Oghenekevwe Kofi
Nigerian filmmaker Kemi Adetiba returns to the spotlight with To Kill a Monkey, a bold new crime thriller series set to debut exclusively on Netflix on July 18, 2025. Best known for her critically acclaimed political saga King of Boys, Adetiba now shifts focus to the shadowy world of cybercrime in what is shaping up to be one of Nollywood’s most ambitious streaming projects to date.
The eight-episode mini-series follows Efemini, an unassuming man whose life spirals out of control after a chance reunion with an old friend. What starts innocently soon becomes a descent into the digital underworld, where cyber fraud, betrayal, and moral compromise threaten everything he once stood for. The series transforms into a tense psychological drama, examining what happens when survival instincts collide with deeply held values.
To Kill a Monkey boasts a dynamic ensemble cast led by Bucci Franklin as Obuz and Lilian Afegbai as Idia—two characters whose relationship is tested by high-stakes decisions and emotional fallout. The series also features powerful performances from some of Nollywood’s most respected talents, including Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Ireti Doyle, Chidi Mokeme, Damilola Adegbite, William Benson, and Michael O. Ejoor. Their collective presence signals a story rich in emotional complexity and character-driven suspense.
Directed, written, and showrun by Adetiba herself under her production company Kemi Adetiba Visuals (KAV), To Kill a Monkey is a passion project years in the making. Filming began in 2022 and concluded in 2023, with Adetiba closely involved in every aspect of production. The series is part of her broader content partnership with Netflix and marks her first major release since The Return of the King.
Beyond its high production value and suspenseful storytelling, the series strikes a deeply relevant social chord. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s growing cyber fraud culture—popularly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo”—the show interrogates the societal and economic forces that push ordinary people toward risky, illegal paths. Through its layered narrative, To Kill a Monkey explores themes of youth unemployment, digital exploitation, and the fine line between ambition and crime, creating a mirror of modern Nigerian life.
The official trailer, now streaming on Netflix Nigeria’s YouTube channel and Kemi Adetiba’s social media accounts, offers a first look at the slick visuals and emotionally charged tone that define the series. Viewers can expect high-stakes drama, pulse-pounding tension, and a story that speaks to the times—both locally and globally.
As its release date approaches, To Kill a Monkey looks poised to make a significant impact on the global streaming landscape. It’s a clear sign that Nollywood is evolving—embracing more complex narratives, cinematic production quality, and socially resonant storytelling. With Adetiba at the helm, this isn’t just another Netflix drop; it’s a defining moment in the future of African television drama.
