Penance (Movie Review)

Penance is a 2024 Nollywood drama currently streaming on Prime Video with a runtime of 1hr 44mins. The movie was written and directed by Awal Abudulfatai and stars Wale Ojo, Uzoamaka Onuoha, Gregory Ajefua, Nonso Bassey and Rachel Emem Isaac. The movie aims to tackle the topic of justice while delivering a morally complex story.

The Premise of Penance

The movie revolves around Alice Martins (Uzoamaka Onuoha), a National Youth Service Corp Member supposedly posted to a reputable firm of a successful architect, Mr. Majekodunmi Alowonle ‘Majek’ (played by Wale Ojo).

Things take a dark turn when Alice accuses Mr. Majek of sexually assaulting her—a claim he vehemently denies.

As the police launch their investigation, led by the unconventional Detective Festus Obosa (Gregory Ajefua), layers of secrets begin to unravel. Mr. Majek is found to have a history of extramarital affairs but maintains his innocence, even as he keeps things from his lawyer, Mr. Bobby (Nonso Bassey).

Alice appears to be really suffering through the trauma of it all, seeking therapy and even attempting suicide, all the while having the support and care of her elder sister, Laila Martins (Rachel Emem Issac), who also happens to be her lawyer.

However, just when the truth seems within reach, it becomes obvious that there’s only one truth, and the plot twist that follows leaves the audience questioning the characters’ motives and the definition of justice.

Characters and Performances

Wale Ojo takes on the role of Mr. Majek, a renowned architect accused of a heinous crime. While Ojo’s performance anchors the narrative, it feels restrained, lacking the emotional intensity needed for a character in such a pivotal position. This disconnect makes his portrayal less convincing.

In contrast, Uzoamaka Onuoha, as Alice Martins, emerges as the heart of the movie. Her raw and heartfelt performance captures the essence of a young woman navigating trauma and fighting for justice. Her range of emotions shines throughout the film, making her the standout performer.

Gregory Ojefua steps into the role of Detective Festus Obosa, bringing a crass but effective detective to life. While his portrayal injects moments of humor into the story, his over-the-top approach often detracts from the film’s gravity. Though his character’s quirks had the potential to add depth, they frequently felt excessive and unnecessary.

Nonso Bassey’s portrayal of Bobby, Majek’s lawyer, unfortunately, falls flat. His performance feels unnatural, and he often comes across more like a casual friend than a professional advocate, failing to fully embody the gravitas of his role.

Similarly, Rachel Emem Isaac, as Laila, Alice’s sister, brings some emotional weight to Alice’s journey. However, her character lacks the development needed to make her arc impactful. Much like Bobby, Laila often feels more like a friend than the sister she is meant to be.

What I liked About the Movie

The film, as suggested by its title, attempts to spotlight a critical social issue: how people of influence seemingly evade accountability for their wrongdoings. While the execution leaves much to be desired, the intent to tackle such a significant subject is commendable.

Among the cast, Uzoamaka Onuoha stands out with a performance that breathes life into an otherwise lackluster narrative. Her portrayal of Alice’s character is both convincing and deeply emotive, elevating the story and grounding its emotional core.

The plot twist, though predictable and somewhat underwhelming, is another commendable aspect of the film. It manages to sustain audience engagement despite its shortcomings, providing a fleeting moment of intrigue within the story.

What Didn’t Work

For a story focused on something as heavy as “penance,” the film surprisingly lacks excitement or intrigue. The transitions between scenes feel flat, and the pacing is so slow that it’s hard to stay invested. Instead of building up tension, it just drags on, leaving the audience disconnected.

Some scenes seemed unnecessarily long or just didn’t feel real. Take the opening scene, for example, where Mr. Majek has a phone call with a business associate. It goes on way too long, talking about things that don’t really matter and only serve to show that he’s a successful businessman. Another odd moment comes later when Majek steps outside the police station to talk to his lawyer, and they just stand there, sharing a smoke. It felt forced, like it was trying too hard to make them seem relatable.

Then there’s the scene at Alice’s house, where her sister and colleague are banging on her bedroom door in a panic, fearing something terrible has happened. But when they finally open the door, there’s no force needed. It made me wonder if the door was even locked in the first place or if they just assumed it was. Moments like these, especially the crime scene investigation, felt off—unrealistic, even.

The film also makes an odd choice by casting a foreign woman as Mr. Majek’s wife, which doesn’t seem necessary at all. Her character adds nothing to the story, and the film never really delves into Majek’s life as a husband, father, or public figure. Her role could easily have been cut, and the movie would still make sense.

As for the cast, most of them didn’t quite hit the mark. This left the story to try to stand on its own, which, unfortunately, didn’t work out too well. The soundtrack also didn’t do the film any favors. It was overused and didn’t fit well with the scenes, making it feel more out of place than anything else.

Perhaps the biggest issue was the central plot twist, which just didn’t land. The relationship between Alice and her roommate was barely developed, so when the roommate took extreme actions, it felt like it came out of nowhere and didn’t make sense. The emotional punch it was supposed to have just wasn’t there.

Ultimately, the film missed a lot of opportunities to connect with the audience. The storytelling, character development, and overall execution left much to be desired.

Final Thoughts

Penance had all the ingredients to be a gripping, emotionally charged story about sexual assault and the pursuit of justice. Instead, the film ends up focusing on the idea of paying for the crime of denial.

In my view, the veracity of sexual assault accusations is a tricky societal issue, however, the movie dangerously suggests that two wrongs somehow make a right.

Despite this thought-provoking premise, the film falters due to poor execution and uninspired storytelling.

While Uzoamaka Onuoha’s performance stands out as a bright spot, the rest of the cast falters with poorly written characters and unrealistic situations.

The lack of suspense and intrigue, paired with a resolution that feels questionable at best, leaves viewers with an unsatisfying experience.