Juju Can Be Cool, Too, Says "Suspicion"
This thrilling blend of fantasy, revenge, and mystery sets the stage for an exciting new franchise.
Suspicion is a Prime Video Original directed by Tosin Igho. It premiered on November 28, 2024. Like. Share. Subscribe.
Suspicion starts like your typical Nollywood film: characters going about their daily lives, chatting, laughing, and navigating the mundanity of everyday struggles. Then, out of nowhere, a woman cooks her son in the middle of the night. This shocking event takes place within the first few minutes, and just as quickly as it happens, the film glosses over it like it was a random dream. Moments later, weβre thrust back into the ordinary world as we meet Voke (Stan Nze) and his partner, Chisom (Omowunmi Dada), exchanging playful banter over money. The sheer normalcy of this scene almost makes you forget the horror you just witnessed. That is until Voke catches a literal bullet with his bare hands to save his best friend Rogba (Uzo Arukwe) a few scenes later. We soon discover that Voke is that child who was cooked and is now grown up.
This is when you realize Suspicion is no regular Nollywood movie. If youβve seen the trailer or read the synopsis, you already know itβs heavily steeped in the supernatural. Itβs labeled a βfantasy thriller,β and while the genre tag prepares you for the unexpected, the calm, almost deceptive opening lulls you into a false sense of security before chaos explodes on screenβagain and again.
By the 30-minute mark, Vokeβs world has crumbled completely. Everything he held dear at the start of the day is gone. His girlfriend, Chisom, abandons him for a better life. His best friend, Rogba, is shot and vanishes into a large body of water, presumed dead. His goddaughter, Lolu, is brutally murdered, her eye gouged out. Voke faces forces so powerful they even rival his own motherβs supernatural abilities. And yet, despite all this, he refuses to back down. With his entire world in shambles, Vokeβs mission becomes clear: revenge, no matter the cost.
But then, in a surprise twist, the narrative leaps forward four years. Voke is no longer the grief-stricken man obsessed with avenging his loved ones. At least he didnβt look that way to me. Instead, he has mastered his supernatural powers and now freelances for organizations dabbling in juju to solve their corporate mysteries. While on one such jobβa murder investigation at a corporate officeβVoke discovers magical traces of a masked figure wielding the same blade used to kill his goddaughter. This discovery reignites his quest for vengeance and sets the story back on its thrilling course. Although I initially had reservations about the four-year time jump, I soon realized it wasnβt just a plot device but a clever narrative reset showing Voke's resilience. Heβs no longer just reacting to tragedy; heβs actively using his pain as a tool, channeling it into a purpose thatβs equal parts redemptive and destructive.
It is at this point Suspicion fully transforms into a murder mystery, and itβs done remarkably well. The genre switch is seamless and feels like a natural extension of the story, which is still very much stewed in the supernatural. Itβs subtle, purposeful, and well-paced, unlike films like The Betrayed, which falter under the weight of similar ambitions. Here, the baton is passed from one plot point to the next with logical precision, maintaining the audienceβs engagement throughout.
Tosin Igho, the director, deserves applause for crafting a story and world that feel both familiar and refreshingly new. Igho doesnβt just direct; he orchestrates. He carefully balances supernatural folklore with familiar Nollywood realism, ensuring that the fantastical elements never overwhelm the grounded drama. Itβs a tightrope act, and he nails it. The world-building is top-notchβrich without being overwhelming or preachy. The pacing is deliberate, never dragging, and it respects the audienceβs attention. Itβs immersive, thrilling, and visually stunning. Letβs talk about the highlights:
The use of language is beautiful. Pidgin English and Urhobo are interwoven so beautifully that it sounded like music to my ears. Hearing them on-screen felt authentic most of the time and added a layer of relatability to the characters. The visual effects are impressiveβclean, sharp, and miles ahead of what youβd expect from the average Nollywood film. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the fight choreography is well-executed, adding depth and excitement to the action sequences.
The acting performances are another major strength. Stan Nze is good in his role as Voke when he isnβt struggling with speaking convincing Urhobo or Pidgin, delivering a performance that is both intense and layered. While some comparisons to his role in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story are inevitable, he proves here that heβs a force to be reckoned with in these action roles. But the real standout for me is Tina Mba, who once again reminds us why sheβs a queen of the screen. From her very first appearance, she commands attention with her use of languageβbody and linguisticsβ stealing the spotlight in every scene. Another honorable mention is Uche Chika Elumelu who plays Onajiteβthough her screen time is limited, she makes every moment count with a powerful, captivating presence.
My biggest concern going into Suspicion was whether it would stick the landing. Too many Nigerian films start strong only to fumble when itβs time to wrap things up. Thankfully, Suspicion delivers a satisfying conclusion. Yes, it leans heavily on dialogue to tie up loose ends, which might feel a bit tedious, especially on a second watch, but it gets the job done. Questions are answered, and new possibilities are teased, setting the stage for what could be an exciting franchise.
And what a franchise this could be! With its dark, thought-provoking ending, Suspicion leaves the door wide open for sequels that could explore even more complex and twisted storylines.
So, what is Suspicion really about? Friendship? Betrayal? Or just one man caught in a whirlwind of unfortunate events? Maybe all of the above. Whatβs certain, though, is that this is how you kickstart a franchiseβwith bold storytelling, excellent performances, and a world brimming with possibilities.
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Directed by: Tosin Igho
Written by: Tosin Igho and Kolade Igho
Starring: Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Uzo Arukwe, Kalu Ikeagu, Boma Akpore, Uche Elumelu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and many more.
