–Kemi Adetiba has a way of making people stop and pay attention. When she drops a project, the noise around it isn’t just about the star-studded cast or glossy visuals; it’s about the kind of story she’s telling. Her latest work, To Kill A Monkey, now streaming on Netflix, is no different. Since its release, it has stirred conversations, proving once again that Adetiba isn’t just making films, she’s shaping culture.
From Music Videos to Blockbusters
It didn’t just start with the blockbusters. Long before the red carpets and global recognition, Adetiba was directing music videos for Nigerian artists. Then came television, with shows like Maltina Dance All, where she honed her skill for pulling emotion from everyday people. The leap to Nollywood could have been daunting, but Adetiba made it look effortless. Her debut feature, The Wedding Party (2016), became one of Nigeria’s highest-grossing films, proving she could balance humor, romance, and mass appeal.
A scene from The Wedding Party — the film that launched a new Nollywood box-office model. Image Credit: Variety
King of Boys: Power, Politics, and Feminism
That success might have been enough for most, but Adetiba wasn’t interested in staying comfortable. In 2018, she switched gears and gave us King of Boys. It wasn’t just a movie; it was a statement. A gritty, politically charged thriller that asked uncomfortable questions about power, corruption, and survival in Nigeria. At the center of it was Eniola Salami, a woman fighting to dominate in spaces traditionally reserved for men.
Critics hailed the film as “Lagos Noir” and even a feminist manifesto on screen. Watching Sola Sobowale embody Eniola was unforgettable; a fierce reminder that women could not only take up space but dominate it. That was Adetiba’s genius: she wasn’t just creating entertainment, she was reframing who gets to be powerful on screen.
To Kill A Monkey: Raising the Stakes
Her latest film, To Kill A Monkey, has already landed on Netflix, and it continues her legacy of bold storytelling. True to her style, the film dives deep into themes of betrayal, power, and survival, drawing audiences into a tense narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.
Early reactions show that Adetiba once again knows how to spark conversations, not just about the characters on screen, but about the society they reflect.
To Kill A Monkey — Kemi Adetiba’s latest film on Netflix. Image Credit: whatkeptmeup
Recognition and Impact
Her courage hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, Netflix named her one of 55 Groundbreaking Women in Entertainment, a salute to the global impact of her work. And for Adetiba, that recognition isn’t just personal; it’s symbolic. It shows young women across Africa that their stories, their voices, and their visions matter.
Lessons Beyond the Camera
Behind the glitz are lessons she never stops sharing. In interviews, Adetiba often talks about resilience, creativity, and learning to take risks even when the odds feel stacked against you. Those lessons echo in her films, where characters are constantly navigating betrayal, ambition, and the fight to rise above.
Kemi Adetiba directing on set. Photo: production still. Image Credit: Channels
A Legacy in Motion
So when we talk about Kemi Adetiba, we’re not just talking about a director. We’re talking about a visionary who has mastered the art of telling Nigerian stories in a way that resonates around the world. With To Kill A Monkey now streaming on Netflix, she proves again that Nollywood stories can hold global weight, and she isn’t done shaking the industry. Not even close.
