Kill Boro, directed by Courage Obayuwana, is a Nigerian thriller about family, survival, and domestic violence.
The story centers around Elijah, a young boy caught in the cycle of abuse inflicted by his father, Boro. The movie is set in a town called Azuama and highlights Elijah’s struggle to escape his father’s oppressive control and seek a better life even if it means turning to the local underworld for help.
The film features strong performances from the cast, particularly Kosisochukwu Ogboruche who takes on the role of Elijah and Philip Asaya, who plays his father, Boro.
Ogboruche’s portrayal of Elijah shows his characters innocence and desperation, while Asaya really embraces the role of a man haunted by his own demons.
The Cast
Philip Asaya shines as Boro, a father whose violent nature devastates his family. I like his portrayal of the character as he was completely believable. You could feel his pain and he was able to convey the inner conflicts Boro faced. Asaya’s performance shows Boro as more than a villain; he is a man haunted by trauma. At several points throughout the movie, I found myself routing for Boro, empathizing with him, and at other times especially when he was being violent towards Boma, I could not stand the character.
For me, this showed that he had clearly portrayed what he needed to, which was both menacing and at the same time tragically vulnerable.
Kosisochukwu Ogboruche did an excellent job playing Elijah. He is a son desperate to escape his father’s control and at the same time silently craving more from him. He skillfully portrays Elijah’s conflict and determination to find a better life. His chemistry with Ini Dima-Okojie, who plays his mother Boma, is strong and believable.
Ini Dima-Okojie plays Boma. She is a wife to Boro and mother to Elijah. Her character is a mother torn between love for her son and fear of her husband. Her performance highlights Boma’s sacrifices and the struggles she faces in a dangerous family dynamic.
Gregory Ojefua portrays Bossman, a powerful figure in Azuama’s criminal underworld. Although he is meant to be part to be a man not on the straight part, he mentors Elijah and attempts to guide him away from poor decisions.
The supporting cast in the film include Hilda Dokubo and Brutus Richard.
What I liked about Kill Boro
The casting in Kill Boro was good. Each actor brought strength and authenticity to their roles. I appreciated the moral lessons that the movie sought to teach especially for younger viewers.
Again, the setting felt authentic, even though the village name was made up the setting felt like an authentic community facing poverty and its related struggles. It also a good idea to have some dialogue in English and other parts in Pidgin.
The visuals were another highlight, the movie was well shot.
What I did not like?
I was disappointed with how the film downplayed domestic violence in Boma’s storyline. The idea that she was merely waiting for Boro to become the man she once loved felt unrealistic.
Some scenes also dragged, slowing the pace of the film, while the ending felt rushed. Take for example, the final confrontation where the community members approached Jaguar’s territory without any form of protection. It lacked believability that they would approach a notorious criminal by strolling in with little to protect themselves and honestly it diminished the film’s overall impact.
Would I Recommend the Movie?
Absolutely! If you enjoy intense drama and crime thrillers, Kill Boro is a good movie to watch despite it short-comings.
How would I rate this movie?
I would rate Kill Boro a 2.5 out of 5.
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