Ruthless, directed by Dimeji Ajibola and produced by Vincent S. Okonkwo, premiered on December 20, 2024, on the premium video-on-demand platform Circuits TV. Celebrated as West Africa’s inaugural female-led mixed martial arts (MMA) movie, it carries an 18+ rating due to its intense action sequences and mature themes.
The Premise
Ruth is a fierce street fighter, battling for more than just glory—she’s fighting to save her sister, held hostage by a ruthless gang over unpaid debts. But when a match goes wrong, and she gets arrested, fate takes a sharp turn.
Enter Iron Lady, a powerful underground fight promoter who offers Ruth a way out: clear her debts and earn her freedom by fighting for her. With no other choice, Ruth accepts.
Ruth is placed under the tough guidance of Raptor, a battle-scarred veteran trainer who sees potential in her but refuses to let her arrogance go unchecked. Ruth’s hostility earns her cleaning duties instead of training. The reigning champion, Sledgehammer, sees her as a threat. Meanwhile, Raptor also deals with his own personal struggles. He is weighed down by a tragic mistake that cost a man his life.
As Ruth trains, she finds an unlikely friend in Paula, another fighter who warns her about Raptor’s dark history. But the real danger lies elsewhere—Sledgehammer, feeling insecure about Ruth’s presence, secretly sets a trap by tipping off the gang that’s hunting her. A failed attack ensues, but Ruth barely escapes with Paula’s help. When Iron Lady discovers Sledgehammer’s betrayal, she forces Ruth into a high-stakes fight, despite Raptor’s protests that she isn’t ready. To tip the scales, Iron Lady secretly gives Ruth performance-enhancing drugs, leading her down a dangerous spiral of addiction.
As Ruth loses herself in drugs and toxic relationships, tragedy strikes—she receives an envelope containing devastating news about her sister. Broken and spiraling, she overdoses, and Raptor rushes her to the hospital, where hypnotherapy reveals painful childhood memories of watching her drug-addicted father murder her mother.
With a new sense of clarity, Ruth prepares for the ultimate showdown against Sledgehammer. Before the fight, kidnappers blackmail her—lose the match or her boyfriend dies. Meanwhile, Raptor uncovers Iron Lady’s deeper schemes and sets out to stop her. As the night unfolds, betrayals come to light, hidden truths emerge, and revenge is served. The final battle isn’t just in the ring—it’s a brutal reckoning that sees Iron Lady’s empire come crashing down.
In the end, Ruth fights for more than just victory—she fights for freedom, for justice, and for a future beyond the ruthless world that nearly consumed her.
Cast and Performances
Sandra Okunzuwa takes on the lead role as Ruth, a departure from her usual characters. While she gives it her best shot, her portrayal sometimes feels a bit unconvincing. There are moments that do not quite land, but she manages to carry the story well enough to keep the audience engaged.
Chidi Mokeme, on the other hand, steps into the role of Raptor with ease. He is tough and this type of brooding character feels like second nature to him. He brings a commanding presence that makes Raptor’s backstory feel real.
Kate Henshaw shines as Iron Lady. She embodies the ruthless and intimidating crime boss and brings the right mix of menace and authority.
Lina Idoko plays Paula, Ruth’s closest ally, and she delivers a solid performance, adding warmth and depth to the story.
Zubby Michael takes on the role of C4 with his usual energy, while Princess Obuseh plays Sledgehammer, the reigning champion whose presence looms over Ruth’s journey. Even Pere Egbi of Big Brother and Iyabo Ojo make an appearance, adding some extra star power to the cast.
What I Liked About the Movie
I enjoyed how Ruthless brought something fresh to Nollywood with its take on the MMA genre. It wasn’t just about the fights—though the choreography was intense—but also about the emotional story. It balanced the emotional scenes and also highlighted resilience, justice, and redemption in a way that felt meaningful.
I also loved how the setting added to the film’s authenticity. Raptor’s gym, in particular, stood out—it wasn’t just a backdrop but a space that felt lived-in. This made the story more believable.
Weak Points
While the film’s ambition is commendable, there were parts of the dialogue that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. They felt unnatural at times, forced if you will and this pulled me out of the moment.
Then there was the hypnotherapy element—an interesting choice, but it didn’t feel well-researched. Hypnotherapy isn’t exactly common in Nigeria, and the way it was portrayed seemed more like guesswork than an informed representation. It made that part of the story feel unconvincing.
Some characters also felt unnecessary. Iyabo Ojo and Pere, for example—I’m still not sure why they were there. Their roles didn’t add much to the plot, and if they were removed, I doubt the story would change significantly.
And then there’s the undercover agent twist. It was hard to buy into the idea that a law enforcement officer would just stand by while jungle justice played out or that she’d use federal resources for what felt like a personal revenge mission. It didn’t quite fit with the otherwise grounded tone of the movie.
Final Thoughts
It’s refreshing to see Nollywood explore a new genre, and despite its shortcomings, Ruthless paves the way for more action-driven storytelling. It may not be perfect, but it’s a step in a new direction for the industry.
Rating
I would rate this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Have you seen Ruthless? What are your thoughts on this pioneering Nollywood MMA film?
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