Devil Is A Liar: Double Jeorpardy Done Wrong

Devil Is a Liar is a Nollywood drama-thriller that hit Netflix on August 15, 2025. Directed by Moses Inwang and penned by Tunde Babalola, it runs for just over 2 hours 17 minutes and is rated 18+. The story follows Adaora (played by Nse Ikpe-Etim), a successful realtor in her mid-40s who falls for the charming Jaiye (James Gardiner), only to face betrayal and manipulation as the romance darkens. With support acts from Erica Nlewedim, Mercy Aigbe, and Nancy Isime, the film blends suspense, heartbreak, and revenge, making it a powerful exploration of love and control in modern relationships.

Premise

Devil Is a Liar follows the roller-coaster love life of Adaora, a successful realtor. Despite the subtle ridicule from her stepmother, Adaora holds on to hope that, like her younger sisters, she too will find a man of her own. That hope seems fulfilled when she meets Jaiye, a charming fashion designer introduced at her sister’s event. With his “lyrics for days,” Jaiye quickly wins her heart, and within months, they are engaged and married. Though younger, Jaiye appears to be the partner she long desired—loving, sincere, and without ulterior motives.

But Adaora is wrong.

Beneath Jaiye’s charm lies a manipulative, selfish man who strips Adaora of everything. He pressures her into aborting their baby after their first child, orchestrates an accident that kills that child, conspires with a doctor to take away her womb, fakes his own death, and frames her for manslaughter—landing her in prison. By the time Adaora is released, she has hit rock bottom and is almost unrecognizable to her family.

As she struggles to rebuild her life, fate brings her face-to-face with the man who destroyed her. Determined to take revenge, she plans to exploit double jeopardy, believing her prior conviction shields her from another trial.

Cast and Performances

In the lead role as Adaora, Nse Ikpe-Etim delivers a layered performance, skillfully navigating a range of emotions—from innocence and naivety to fear, hopelessness, anger, courage, and cynicism. Though her portrayal slightly faltered toward the film’s end, she held the character together with strength and nuance. Opposite her, James Gardiner shines as Jaiye, perfectly cast as the narcissistic manipulator. His performance made it clear from the outset that Jaiye was no good, and watching him unravel was both convincing and unsettling.

Erica Nlewedim takes on the role of Anna, Jaiye’s so-called “cousin.” While her effort was commendable, her delivery often felt unpolished, with moments that lacked naturalness. Improving her facial expressions could have made the performance more convincing.

Other supporting actors include Yemi Blaq, Nancy Isime, Padita Agu, and Mercy Aigbe. Adaora’s father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Philips, were portrayed by Akin Lewis and Tina Mba. However, their roles added little depth to the story, making their inclusion feel more like a Nollywood star-power tactic than a necessary contribution. Overall, the cast gave solid performances, with most holding their own effectively.

What Worked

The core storyline follows a familiar Nollywood trope, yet it was told with a refreshing difference. Even though the direction of the plot was somewhat predictable, the film still managed to build suspense and keep me engaged.

The cinematography also played a big role, it was fluid, visually engaging, and added depth to the storytelling. The accident scene was well done, a shift from the familiar ‘screech and crash’, most nollywood movies are known for. Strong performances from Nse Ikpe-Etim and James Gardiner anchored the narrative, giving the movie its edge and making it worthwhile.

What Didn’t Work

Some aspects of the film felt unnecessary and lacked plot relevance. For example, Adaora’s parents barely contributed to the story and were absent during pivotal moments in her life, such as her imprisonment and release. Similarly, the presence of a stepmother carried little weight, leaving me questioning its relevance.

For a movie running over two hours, I expected a tighter progression through the first, second, and third acts. Unfortunately, the third act didn’t land as anticipated. The storyline became convoluted as it tried to explain Jaiye’s motives, and even the editing and performances—Nse’s included—lost some strength toward the end.

The biggest misstep, however, was the controversial handling of double jeopardy. The film leaned heavily on this concept, suggesting Adaora could use it to avoid prison a second time. But this was poorly executed. In reality, double jeopardy protects against being tried twice for the same offence after acquittal or conviction. In the movie, Adaora was convicted of manslaughter, while her later crime was murder—two distinct offences. This legal flaw weakened the climax, revealing poor research and undermining the script’s use of such a pivotal concept.

Final Thoughts

Devil Is a Liar has its heart in the right place, but like many Nollywood films, it falters in key areas—most notably research, its third-act climax, and subplots or characters that feel underdeveloped. While it is an engaging watch that sparks conversation and stirs emotions, especially around its central characters, its overlooked details leave a bittersweet aftertaste.

Rating

I would rate Devil Is a Liar 3 out of 5 stars.

Our Rating of This Movie

Author

Alexander Azonobo

Alex is a writer with an undeniable passion for movies and the stories they tell. He loves diving into the world of cinema—exploring its themes, characters, and the artistry that brings it all to life. With an eye for detail and a love for storytelling, he writes to share his thoughts and spark conversations about the films that move, challenge, and inspire us.