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Ms. Kanyin, the new thriller starring Temi Otedola alongside Michelle Dede, Ademola Adedoyin, and Tolu George, seems like a gripping retelling of the Madam Koi Koi legend.
Directed by Ossai Jerry, the movie unfolds in an elite boarding school ( though, to be clear, not quite the kind of elite setting viewers might remember from Far From Home). At the heart of the story is Amara (Otedola), a driven student desperate to secure admission into Harvard. Her major setback? A low French grade. Her choice of French as one of her core subjects was just to boost her teacher, Ms. Kanyin’s (Dede) job security.
In a moment of desperation, Amara attempts to sort of blackmail Ms. Kanyin, knowing by chance that the teacher has access to the WAEC exam papers. But Ms. Kanyin firmly refuses. With no other option, Amara puts together a team of classmates, including her best friend Chisom (George), who also happens to be the Principal’s (Kalu Ikeagwu) daughter, to break into the teacher’s chalet and steal the papers.
The heist quickly spirals out of control. Ms. Kanyin, a gentle, dog-fearing cynophobe returning from a date with her new romantic interest and colleague Mr. Mustapha (Adedoyin), is caught in the chaos and flees. But a fatal fall at the mysterious, enchanted tree changes everything, awakening a terrifying transformation. Ms. Kanyin becomes the embodiment of Madam Koi Koi, unleashing raw and vengeful fury.
The film unfolds in what feels like two distinct acts. The first half focuses on student life and teacher-student dynamics, and the budding romance between Ms. Kanyin and Mr. Mustapha. At this point, it’s easy to question whether the true lead is Amara or Ms. Kanyin. But it’s in the second half the sharp, unexpected twist, which eventually revealed Amara as the protagonist and the horror core, was exceptional thanks to the clever writings of Tobe Otuogbodor and Yemi Nexus Adeyemi.
A smart blend of school drama, folklore horror, and moral tension, Ms Kanyin also starring Kanaga Eme Jnr. Natse Jemide and Damilola Bolarinde, with special appearances by Keppy Ekpeyong and Francis Onwuochei, is a bold addition to Nollywood’s growing supernatural thriller space.
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- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy