The Fire and the Moth is a thriller directed by Taiwo Egunjobi and written by Isaac Ayodeji. It follows Saba, a smuggler who steals a sacred Ife bronze head, triggering chaos. Starring Tayo Faniran, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ini Dima-Okojie, Olarotimi Fakunle, William Benson, and Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, the film weaves through languages English, Yoruba, Pidgin, and some French.
Rated 16+, the film premiered at the 2025 NollywoodWeek Film Festival and is now streaming globally on Prime Video. Produced by Nemsia Studios and Sable Productions, it’s a sharp look at heritage, greed, and human consequence.
The Premise
Saba is a part-time smuggler with an ailing father and a desperate need for cash. When he’s offered a job to steal an ancient Ife bronze head from the Ibadan museum, the promise of enough money to fund his father’s surgery outweighs the risk. But things spiral quickly. He’s shot by the police, led by the shady Opa Stephen, and loses the artefact during his escape.
Wounded and hunted, he breaks into Opa’s home to retrieve it, only to go into hiding at the house of Arike, a local woman living with her younger sister. Arike, frightened but curious, realises what he’s carrying and offers to help him find a buyer—her university professor.
Meanwhile, in Belgium, the original client grows impatient and sends a ruthless contractor (one with a penchant for fire) to Nigeria to recover the bronze. As bodies begin to fall and Customs Officer Teriba Bello pushes against Opa’s corruption, the stakes tighten. Everyone wants the bronze head. But what they’re chasing might cost more than it’s worth. The artefact burns bright, and the moths are circling, but one by one they pay a price.
Casts and Performances
Tayo Faniran impresses as Saba, bringing desperation and urgency to the role, a clear step up from earlier works like Labake Olódòdó. Ini Dima-Okojie gives a quietly compelling performance as Arike, while William Benson holds his own as customs officer Teriba Bello.
Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis delivers a cold, calculating presence as the contractor, commanding each scene with intensity. Olarotimi Fakunle, as the corrupt officer Opa Stephen, matches that energy with charisma and menace. While all actors perform well, it’s Jimmy and Olarotimi who ultimately steal the show.
What I Liked
The Fire and the Moth offered a refreshing take on the stolen artefact genre. It avoided the usual superstitious tropes and instead focused on human greed and survival instincts, making the story all the more grounded and compelling. That theme, I believe, is where the film gets its name: we’re all moths drawn to the fire of wealth, even if it burns us.
The cinematography stood out as well. Fadamana Okwong’s work behind the camera showed growth and precision, with well-thought-out angles and some stunning shots. I also appreciated the international element, especially casting Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis. Nollywood is definitely on the right path when it partners with the right foreign talent to elevate its global impact.
Weak Points
While The Fire and the Moth was overall impressive, it had a few shortcomings. Some technical elements, like the sound design during gunfire scenes, didn’t quite hit the mark and pulled me out of the moment. The ending also felt unresolved. I’m not sure if a sequel is planned or if that’s where it ends, but it left me wanting more clarity. I have a few ideas of how it could’ve wrapped up better, but I’ll let you watch and decide for yourself.
Final Thoughts
The Fire and the Moth is a bold, engaging film that tackles the stolen artefact narrative with a fresh perspective and emotional depth. It avoids clichés, instead focusing on greed, desperation, and survival. Though with an anticlimactic ending, it marks a confident step forward in Nollywood storytelling, production, and global collaboration. Definitely worth the watch.
Rating
I would rate The Fire and the Moth 3.5 out of 5 stars.
What would you risk — or sacrifice — for a shot at wealth, freedom, or simply survival?
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