Raji and the Beast is a 2025 Nollywood drama directed by Darasen Richards, featuring Nollywood stars Uzor Arukwe, Lateef Adedimeji, and Omowunmi Dada. The film was released in Nigerian cinemas on May 16, 2025. It is rated 18+ and has a runtime of 1 hour 45 minutes.
The Premise
In the colonial era, deep in the forests near the River Niger, British explorers stumble upon a mysterious, glowing stone hidden in a tree. A local guard warns them not to touch it, but curiosity prevails. As the stone is disturbed, warrior women appear with their king, and a fight breaks out. However, one of the white men escaped with the guard and the stone, but they drowned while trying to flee.
Fast forward to the present day: Raji and Akpos, two struggling sand miners, unknowingly unearth the ancient box containing old artefacts and the same stone. Not knowing its worth, they took it to Alhaji Sule, a trader. Alhaji Sule tricked them and bought it cheap. But instead of selling it off, Alhaji approached Chief, a powerful man who instantly recognised the stone’s real value but pretended it was worthless. The Chief, obsessed with prestige and power, will stop at nothing to get the stone for his private museum.
Later, when Raji, Akpos, and Raji’s girlfriend Ruth realised the truth, they knew they had made a big mistake. With pressure mounting and danger all around, they planned to steal the stone back. Their mission turned risky fast, with betrayals, near-death escapes, and help from an unlikely drunk.
Their final act is a bold risk: poisoning the Chief’s inner circle to retrieve the stone. They succeed, but Raji and Akpos choose dignity over profit, refusing to sell Africa’s legacy to the highest bidder. The story closes not with a grand reward, but with a powerful choice to protect something far bigger than themselves.
Raji and the Beast blends folklore, comedy, and social commentary in a tale of greed, heritage, and redemption.
Casts and Performances
Lateef Adedimeji takes on the role of Raji, while Uzor Arukwe plays Akpos and Omowunmi Dada appears as Ruth. Yakubu Mohamed plays Alhaji Sule, Akin Lewis stars as Chief, and Femi Branch portrays the colonial-era king.
Each actor delivers a solid performance, but Akin Lewis stands out the most. His signature portrayal of cold, calculated villains, from his past roles, returns here in full force, and he delivers it with convincing intensity. However, the inclusion and purpose of Odunlade’s character (The drunk stranger) felt a bit unclear and may leave some viewers puzzled.
What I Liked
The CGI was impressive, especially in how it brought the colonial era to life. The attention to detail, from the old artefacts to the overall setting, made everything feel authentic. The cinematography also stood out, with well-framed shots and visuals that complemented the story. The choice of locations worked well for the most part, adding to the film’s realism.
Overall, the storyline had real potential and a strong foundation.
What I Didn’t Like
The story had quite a few loopholes. At one point, Chief mentions another stone he planned to unite with the main one, but that second stone is never seen again, not even at the museum. It felt like an unnecessary subplot that only made Chief’s motives more confusing.
While the film hinted that the precious stone wielded some kind of power, a classic trope in adventure stories, it never fully explored or clarified this idea. Instead of leaning into that familiar but effective motive of chasing artefacts for the power they possess, the story settles on a weaker reason: that Chief just wanted to add it to his private museum collection. For all the chaos, betrayal, and killings that unfolded, that goal felt underwhelming and unconvincing.
There was also a subtle cringe factor, particularly with the reference to “Mr. Park,” the British character who seemed like a low-key reenactment of Mungo Park. It was hard to tell if that was intentional or just awkward writing.
Lastly, the title Raji and the Beast was confusing. Raji is presented as the central figure, but nothing about his character truly stands out to justify that spotlight. The title itself feels more suited to a children’s story, and it’s never clear who—or what—the “Beast” actually is.
Final Thoughts
Nollywood’s efforts to venture into adventure storytelling are bold and worth applauding, but proper execution remains a challenge. Raji and the Beast had an interesting concept, but the title might have been better suited as an animated film. A studio like Anthill or even Disney could’ve explored the story’s potential with more depth and brought out a magical and adventurous vibe. As it stands, the film feels like a great idea that didn’t quite land the way it should have.
Rating
I would rate Raji and the Beast 2 out of 5 stars.
Do you think Raji and the Beast would have had a stronger impact if it were made as an animated film rather than live-action?
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