I love it when Nollywood dares to dream—when it tries to break free from the usual and explore something fresh. That’s exactly what Suky aimed to do. It was a film I was eager to see, but the real question is—did it deliver?
The Story: A Tale of Betrayal, Blood, and Redemption
Adigun (Tobi Bakare) is a professional boxer and trainer, raising his son, Sunkanmi (Suky). But their world takes a dark turn when young Suky skips school and stumbles upon a chilling truth—his father is involved in rigged boxing matches, deliberately losing under the orders of a dangerous gang called Aje.
When Adigun refuses to throw a match, ashamed that his son now knows the truth, he pays the ultimate price. He is brutally ambushed and killed by Sledgehammer, a ruthless enforcer of the Aje gang.
Twelve years later, Suky is living with his uncle, a lawyer (Williams Benson), and his wife. But tragedy strikes again—the Aje gang gruesomely murders them both and frames Suky for their deaths. Wrongfully convicted, Suky is thrown into prison, where he must fight to survive. He is forced into the underground world of Dambe, a brutal traditional combat sport. In prison, he finds an unlikely mentor in Ijaya, a battle-hardened Dambe fighter who trains him to withstand the harsh realities of his new life.
A Brilliant Film Struggling to Find Its Voice
Suky had all the elements of a gripping film, but something felt missing, like a fighter trying to punch through an invisible barrier. The story was solid, the ambition was clear, but the execution? Not so much.
One of the biggest flaws was the underdevelopment of key relationships. Take Dr. Simisola (Bimbo Ademoye), for example. What exactly was her connection with Suky? Was it love? Was it friendship? The film drops hints, but it never fully commits to telling us. It felt like we were meant to care about their dynamic, yet we didn’t even understand it.
Then there’s the issue of Sledgehammer, the man who killed Suky’s father. How is it that, after so many years, he hasn’t changed one bit? Suky grows from a boy into a man, yet his father’s killer remains exactly the same. No aging, no change, nothing. It felt unrealistic, like the film forgot that time is supposed to pass.
Another problem? The film was just too serious. There was no comic relief, nothing to ease the tension, and at times, the slow burn dragged the story down. A little humor could have helped balance out the intensity. Instead, Suky felt like a long, heavy fight that needed a few breathers.
The Visuals and Action—Where Suky Shines
Visually, Suky does a lot right. The cinematography captures the intensity of its setting, pulling us into a world of darkness and danger. And the fight choreography? Easily one of the film’s best aspects. The Dambe fight scenes felt real, intense, and beautifully executed.
And let’s talk about the prison setting. The film does not sugarcoat the reality of Nigerian prisons, and I respect that. The prison system in Nigeria is a disaster, and Suky lays it bare. The the overcrowding, the corruption—it’s all there.
The Characters—Flawed but Interesting
Marshal (Olarotimi Fakunle) was a solid antagonist, ruthless, yet trapped in his own invisible cage. He ruled the prison but was still a pawn in the hands of the powerful Senator (Femi Adebayo). His downfall was a lesson, he was driven by selfish ambition, and in the end, he lost everything. Olarotimi Fakunle delivered a performance that made Marshal both annoying and tragic.
Then there’s Dr. Simisola. She was a doctor, but also a prisoner in her own right, controlled by Marshal and unable to escape her fate. The symbolism of her caged bird was brilliant, it mirrored her life perfectly. Bimbo Ademoye played the role well, but the character was underdeveloped. We never truly got to know her.
Young Suky (Abolade Ajibade) was fantastic. He brought raw emotion and vulnerability to the role. But when we transitioned to adult Suky (James Damilare Solomon), something felt off. His stoic, brooding character made sense, but his transformation from a revenge-driven fighter to someone seeking a greater cause should have been steady. Instead, the film got distracted with prison politics, fight sequences, and side characters.
What Did Viewers Think?
Oreoluwa: “I really loved it. It wasn’t the usual Nollywood formula. A boxing and prison movie? That’s rare! I also liked how they touched on politics, like how an illiterate prison warden got his job through political connections. The limited locations made the film feel even more intense. I’d give it 7.5/10.”
Dorcas: “It was different, and I respect that. But it was a slow burn, and I struggled to stay engaged. Also, what exactly was the relationship between Suky and Dr. Simisola? I was confused. I’d rate it 7/10.”
Joe: “It was a decent film, but character development was lacking. There were too many unanswered questions. 6.5/10.”
Final Verdict
Suky, written by Issac Ayodeji and directed by Ola Cardoso, was a bold attempt at something different. It had potential, it had grit, but it needed more polish to make it a truly intelligent watch. Despite its flaws, it remains an ambitious Nollywood film that deserves credit for pushing boundaries.
