Movie Title: Dark October
Release Date: 3 February 2023
Director: Toka McBaror
Runtime: 1 hour, 49 minutes
Cast: Chuks Joseph, Munachi Okpara, Kem-Ajieh Ikechukwu, Kelechukwu Oriaku, Chibie Johnny, Boman Bognet, Oge Gabriel and Chika Okpala.
“Dark October” is a film that portrays the brutal reality of communal justice, known as ‘jungle justice,’ in Nigeria. Based on a true story, it chronicles the events leading up to the killings and examines the aftermath of this tragic incident.
In 2012, a harrowing incident involving four students from the University of Port Harcourt, known as the “Aluu4,” gained widespread attention across traditional and social media platforms.
These students fell victim to jungle justice, a grave societal issue, and were brutally beaten to death by members of a local community.
For many people at the time, especially those with Blackberry phones, witnessing the graphic news, posts, and videos provoked profound anger and sorrow.Twelve years later, blogger Linda Ikeji announced the release of her film, “Dark October,” based on this tragic event, exclusively on Netflix.
The film’s release sparked controversy, primarily because Ikeji did not seek the consent of the victims’ families. While “Dark October” marks Ikeji’s bold debut in Nollywood, her effort is marred by significant shortcomings.
The film lacks comprehensive details about the incident, suffers from inadequate research, and is hampered by a poorly developed script and subpar acting, failing to do justice to the gravity of the real-life events it seeks to portray.
The Plot
In the opening scene of “Dark October,” a half-naked, bloodied man walks slowly, clearly suffering from severe injuries. The story then flashes back to a month earlier, showing the same man, Tizzy, healthy and engaging in a conversation with his friend Big L. about their music careers.
Tizzy expresses frustration over a fellow student, Wisdom, who owes him money. The friends then participate in and win a rap battle, earning a spot to perform at the prestigious Student Union Showcase, akin to the Grammys at their university.
In subsequent scenes, Tizzy and Big L. focus on building their reputation in the Uniport music scene while plotting to recover the money from Wisdom. They collaborate with a cultist to scare Wisdom into paying up. Early one morning, their plan goes awry when Wisdom escapes, encounters local vigilantes, and falsely accuses Tizzy and his friends of attempting to steal his electronics.
The vigilantes swiftly arrest the boys and bring them to their leader, who suggests beating them. Despite one man’s attempt to calm the escalating mob seeking “justice,” the boys are dragged into the streets, stripped naked, and brutally beaten.
The film then returns to the opening scene, where Tizzy is seen staring at the burning corpses of himself and his friends.
Positive Review
It is timely for filmmakers to address the issue of jungle justice in Nollywood movies. The recent case of Deborah underscores that many Nigerians still support such practices.
“Dark October” effectively highlights the dangers of jungle justice, illustrating how false accusations can lead to violent acts that destroy lives full of potential.
The film’s cinematography, while not perfect, is commendable. One standout scene involves the community beating the boys, captured through various visual angles that evoke a range of emotions.
This technique enhances the film’s impact, making the brutality and injustice feel palpable to the audience.
Moreover, “Dark October” excels in evoking nostalgia through its setting and props. It accurately depicts a university dorm in 2012, complete with flip phones, Blackberries, and period-specific costumes, creating a realistic and immersive environment.
Finally, the film’s special effects are exceptional, standing out as a highlight of the production. This element significantly enhances the storytelling, making the tragic events portrayed even more compelling.
Negative Review
“Dark October” exemplifies a film whose producers were captivated by a compelling concept but fell short in its execution. The scripting, marked by repetitive and unrealistic dialogue, failed to immerse viewers in authentic conversations, with overuse of terms like “bro” becoming tiresome.
Additionally, many dialogues lacked relevance to the plot, contributing to a sense of stagnation in the narrative development.
Despite being inspired by a significant event in Nigerian history, the film failed to provide deeper insights into the characters, leaving viewers craving more substantial character development.Moreover, the plot of “Dark October” felt lacking in depth, with events failing to engage viewers and leaving them anticipating the climax.
The film could have benefited from more thorough research into the real-life incident it was based on, as it appeared superficial and lacking in nuance. The acting performances, while commendable in their efforts to showcase new talents, often fell short, with some scenes provoking cringes from the audience.
Overall, “Dark October” serves as a reminder of the importance of meticulous planning and execution in translating captivating ideas into successful cinematic experiences.
