“Osoronga”, written and directed by Ibrahim Chatta, was originally released in 2023 but has only now become available for streaming on Prime Video. According to Ibrahim Chatta, the film had been delayed due to paperwork issues until now.
In a video shared with the fans, the actor revealed that he considered, at one point, uploading the film on YouTube, which has democratized streaming movies for Nigerian filmmakers while making them independent, for streaming, when it was taking a long time to reach an agreement with the streaming service platform. But an agreement has been struck, making the film available for streaming on Prime Video.
Story
After his wedding, Enitan (Ibrahim Chatta) is struck by a chilling revelation that foretells his imminent death. Every night he has recurring nightmares, each more disturbing than the last, in which witches and wizards ominously count down to his demise. These frequent nightmares start to take both a psychological and emotional toll on him. Seeking help, Enitan turns to his mother, a prophetess (Joke Muyiwa), who tells him to explore the traditional path. He also informs his friend, Subomi (Ibrahim Yekini), who urges him to consult powerful and knowledgeable priests. Among the priests is Ifayemi Elebuibon (playing as himself), who only offers him a cryptic message. His quest for salvation leads him to a Sango priest, reputed for his power over witches. The priest gives him a protective chain, but does it work? Exasperated by these supernatural intrigues, Enitan, knowing that everyone dies, wants to know who it is that wants to kill him and for what reason.
Meanwhile, Enitan’s friends suspect one of their own, Sola (Odunlade Adekola), to be the frenemy who is plotting to kill Enitan because the tension between them stems from a bitter disagreement over a contract they both coveted, leading them to believe that Sola harbors ill intentions toward Enitan. But Sola also suspects his mother-in-law, to whom his wife explained the situation of things. In the same vein, Enitan’s wife and her friend, Oredunmola (Fathia Balogun), suspect their friend, Arinola (Bimbo Akintola) and her sister to be the witches because Arinola feels that Enitan, with whom she once had a fling, was snatched from her. The movie builds a complex web of suspicion that deepens as each character grapples with their motives, adding layers of intrigue and suspense to the mystery surrounding Enitan’s impending death, making a case for a supernatural whodunit.
Technical Aspects
By the midpoint— the inciting incident introduced 15 minutes into the movie— has lost its impression on us, with no significant developments keeping the story moving. As a result, the Osoronga movie falls into a tedious rhythm, and the promising suspense wears itself out. Enitan’s consultations with various priests, who all give him the same cryptic message, contribute nothing to the progression of the plot and make the movie unnecessarily long. The monotony of these odysseys of consultations undermines the tension that was built. So the film that was intriguing at first starts to lose its grip, becoming increasingly drawn-out.
Nollywood has long been characterized by its demonization of traditional African beliefs and creeds. There are myriads of films in Nollywood that portray traditional African beliefs in a negative light. But in “Osoronga”, Ibrahim Chatta takes a bold and commendable stand by honouring and respecting indigenous beliefs while also promoting religious plurality and inclusivity. After receiving the prophecy about his impending death, Enitan’s mother, who is a Christian prophetess, advises him to explore other traditional beliefs for the solution. He also seeks out an Islamic cleric. Nigeria, being a religiously volatile country, “Osoronga” calls for the acceptance and equal regard of all religions and belief systems, offering a refreshing perspective on interfaith coexistence.
Performances
Ibrahim Chatta has consistently managed to stand out in any movie by giving stellar performances, and it comes as no surprise that he once again doesn’t disappoint either in this Osoronga movie, where he takes centre stage. He offers a compelling rendition, capturing the emotional depth of his character with nuance and precision. And for some personal reason, I wished Saheed Osupa’s role as Olebe Aje, the head of the coven, had been developed. He gave a chilling and enjoyable performance, sharpening knives in Enitan’s haunting nightmares. While the likes of Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Yekini, and Yomi Fash, though talented, were somewhat confined by the limitations of their roles, leaving their performances feeling somewhat restrained.
Final Thoughts
“Osoronga” is an exciting movie to watch despite it being marred by tedious suspense. But the audience will likely be captivated by Ibrahim Chatta’s performance as his character navigates the last moment of his life. But the movie’s theme on religious plurality and inclusivity is a thought-provoking commentary and should be the takeaway, especially in a country where indigenous beliefs continue to be demonized.
Rating:6/10
