Director – Jay Franklyn Jituboh
Writer – Boladale Faloa and Jay Franklyn Jituboh
Cast – Martha Ehinome, Jude Chukwuka, Iretiola Doyle, Omowunmi Dada, Chuks Joseph, Deyemi Okanlawon
Year – 2023
Streaming – Netflix
Over 32 years ago (yep I’m that old) back in secondary school, located in faraway Ipaja, there were 3 things students were frightened off. Bush Baby, Witches (no idea if they were in the school) and off course Madam Koi koi. In my 6 years, I never saw any of these characters but any odd sound in the middle of the night, silhouette in the middle of the quadrangle or screaming from students were attributed to them.
So, imagine how intrigued I was when the trailer for Madam Koi koi popped up in a group I am part of with cinephile’s and movie enthusiasts alike. “Madam koi koi” stands as a sinister aura and visually creepy atmosphere to the macabre tale. The movie, directed with care, reverence and a creepy atmosphere, engulfs one in a labyrinth of psychological terror.
From the opening scene, one has this bone-chilling premise (although this doesn’t go on throughout the movie) then that red light comes on to depict the present of Madam. The Madam, a small silhouette that moves with a thud while in the forest but makes the koi koi sound once on concrete, becomes a terror, casting a dark, eerie shadow over the entire narrative. The cinematography is well thought out, painting the screen with a palette of unsettling, visuals that blur the line between reality and lingering sense of unease.
The foundation of this production lies in the performances of the cast, particularly Chuks Joseph who plays Lashe and his cohorts. Martha Ehinome delivers a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a tormented Amanda. Her performance is a breath of fresh air and she is an absolute revelation in the role.
Jay Franklyn Jituboh does a good job especially in a genre like horror that is not exploited in Nigeria. He weaves the elements of nostalgia, tension and fear into a contemporary narrative, exploring themes of survival, guilt, and a heinous act. I wasn’t a fan of the close-up scenes when Martha gets up abruptly scared, but I liked the upside-down angle that is typical of some horror productions.
“Madam Koi koi” is a film that reminds me of my childhood at the same time piques my interest on the origin story, blurring the lines between the supernatural and the psychological. It’s a visually stunning, emotionally charged experience that will leave you pondering the nature of fear, guilt, and the human’s will to live.
If you’re a fan of dark, atmospheric horror and appreciate films that push the boundaries of the genre, “Madam Koi koi is a must-see and my only hope is it can be sufficiently tied together in the second part to be released next week. Be ready to be disturbed, and utterly captivated by this simplistic cinematic gem.
Madam koi koi part 1 earns a 6/10.
Have you seen Madam Koi koi, drop your thoughts.
