African Netflix Pick of the Week: Tokunbo
- Oluwaseun Mary Temitope
- Aug 4
- 1 min read
In the heart of bustling Lagos, a man races against more than just time—he’s running for his family. Tòkunbọ̀, directed by Ramsey Nouah and starring Gideon Okeke, hit Netflix on August 23, 2024, to deliver a high-octane Nigerian thriller that grabs you by the throat and won’t let go.
Gideon Okeke plays a former car smuggler trying to carve a straight path under the neon glow of Lagos—until a desperate phone call yanks him back into the criminal world. His son’s life hangs in the balance: deliver the kidnapped daughter of the Central Bank Governor within three hours—or lose everything. With the clock ticking, what follows is a pulse-pounding journey through city streets, moral quandaries, and raw family loyalty.
Okeke holds the film’s emotional core, but he’s not alone. Funlola Aofiyebi‑Raimi delivers fierce intensity as the desperate Governor, and Darasimi Nadi, who plays the kidnapped girl, brings heartbreak in equal measure. Their chemistry fills every frame with stakes that feel both human and urgent.
What makes Tòkunbọ̀ more than a gripping thriller? It’s the setting—and the soul behind it. Shot across Lagos and the Sèmè border with Benin, and infused with Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin, and English, the film is unapologetically rooted in West African experience. It’s a story about systems stacked against you—and how far a father will go when he’s backed into a corner.
So if you're looking for a movie that blends edge-of-your-seat action, moral complexity, and an unmistakably African voice—all within a tight, thrilling runtime—Tòkunbọ̀ is it. Stream it now on Netflix and hold on tight: Lagos doesn’t slow down, and neither will you.
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