To Kill a Monkey is a 2025 Nigerian crime thriller television series written, produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba.[1] It stars William Benson, Bucci Franklin, Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Michael O. Ejoor, Chidi Mokeme, Teniola Aladese, Lilian Afegbai, and Sunshine Rosman. The series was released on Netflix on 18 July 2025.[2]
| To Kill a Monkey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Crime thriller |
| Created by | Kemi Adetiba |
| Screenplay by | Kemi Adetiba |
| Directed by | Kemi Adetiba |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Nigeria |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Kemi Adetiba Remi Adetiba |
| Production company |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
Premise
editEfemini, a desperate programmer in dire circumstances, becomes a reluctant fraudster when he is enticed into cybercrime by an old friend who is a Lagos cybercrime kingpin. As he is pulled into a deadly web of deceit, trauma and survival, his morals are questioned, and ultimately compromised.[3][4][5][6]
Cast
edit- William Benson as Efemini "Efe" Edewor
- Bucci Franklin as Obozhuiomwen "Oboz" Ogbemudia
- Stella Damasus as Nosa
- Bimbo Akintola as Inspector Mo Ogunlesi
- Michael O. Ejoor as Inspector Onome
- Chidi Mokeme as Teacher
- Lilian Afegbai as Idia
- Sunshine Rosman as Amanda Sparkles
- Teniola Aladese as Ivie
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "In the beginning..." | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 2 | "Hand of Friendship" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 3 | "Four Years Later" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 4 | "Pay Your Tax" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 5 | "House of Cards" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 6 | "Pour Petrol on Fire" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 7 | "A Chilling Ultimatum" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
| 8 | "Who Wins at the End?" | Kemi Adetiba | Kemi Adetiba | July 18, 2025 |
Production
editThe eight-part series was written, produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba, who also served as showrunner. It was co-produced by Remi Adetiba under the Kemi Adetiba Visuals banner.[7] Principal photography began in 2023.[8]
Release
editThe series was released on Netflix on 18 July 2025.[9]
References
edit- ↑ Joe, Osamudiamen. "'To Kill A Monkey' Review: A Pale Imitation of What Once Made Kemi Adetiba Exciting". What kept Me Up. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ↑ Medeme, Ovwe (13 July 2025). "Tunde Kelani's 'Cordelia', Kemi Adetiba's, 'To Kill a Monkey', other anticipated films this July". Premium Times. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ Fáwọlé, Immanuel Táiyéwò (7 July 2025). "Kemi Adetiba's Netflix Series "To Kill A Monkey" Sets July 18 Premiere Date". Shocking.com. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ↑ Ehioghae, Noghama (21 July 2025). "To Kill A Monkey Review: One Broke Man, One Fraud Empire, One Deadly Mistake". African Folder. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ↑ ""To Kill a Monkey" Review: Kemi Adetiba's Exciting Crime Thriller Series Is a Lesson in How Not to Tell a Story - Afrocritik". 26 July 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "To Kill A Monkey - Nollywire". 17 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "Trailer: Kemi Adetiba Returns with Crime Drama Series 'To Kill A Monkey', Ahead Of July Netflix Release". Whatkeptmeup. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ "Netflix Announces Diverse Slate of New Nigerian Films and TV Shows: From 'Anikulapo' Series to 'To Kill a Monkey'". Whatkeptmeup. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ↑ Leigh, Janet A (13 July 2025). "9 essential shows to watch this week - from ITV's 'fresh-style of detective' to a chaotic thriller". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 July 2025.