Abdul Tijani-Ahmed’s ‘Red Circle,’ a crime thriller that hit cinemas nationwide on June 6, promised an intriguing narrative and a fresh take on its cast. After catching the film, I found it to be a well-crafted effort, though deeper character arcs and a more fleshed-out plot could have elevated it further.
‘Red Circle’ is a visually striking, well-acted thriller with a strong premise, but its lack of narrative depth and character development holds it back. A solid watch that could have been exceptional with more attention to its storytelling gaps.
SYNOPSIS
Fikayo Holloway, a journalist from a wealthy family of socialites, is on the verge of uncovering a powerful crime ring in Lagos, whose atrocities have hit close to home.
View this post on Instagram
Advertisement
STRONG POINTS
The performances were undoubtedly a high point. Both lead and supporting actors fully embodied their roles, showcasing the versatility director Tijani-Ahmed had hinted at, especially with Ibrahim Suleiman and Mike Folarin. Ibrahim, who is often seen playing the justice-seeking type, took on a different kind of role in this film. Although his screen time was brief, he delivered it with impressive depth, particularly with his words and body language. Mike Folarin, who played Gidigbo, also stood out and showed a refreshing range in his acting.
Folu Storms gave a solid performance in the lead role, while Lateef Adedimeji came close to being my favourite character because of how convincingly he played his part. Overall, the entire cast brought their best to the film.
The costume and set design were also impressive elements of the film. The costumes felt authentic, with each character dressed in a way that matched their role. Nothing looked out of place, and the attention to detail helped ground the story. The set design added even more depth, especially the portrait of Oshisco painted on the wall of his house, a small but striking touch that made the environment feel real. The subtle use of the colour red in both the locations and costumes was a creative nod to the film’s title. Although effective, it did feel a bit excessive at some points.
The cinematography was also well executed, with the right camera angles used to enhance key scenes, especially the party sequence. The visuals helped bring out the mood of the film, and the use of red lighting as a nod to the movie’s title was noticeable. It added some symbolism and helped create a distinct visual identity that tied the film’s theme and tone together in a creative way.
The film also deserves credit for its exploration of important themes. Issues like media bias, social injustice, power, friendship, ambition, corruption, and the dangers tied to investigative journalism were all woven into the storyline. While not all were deeply explored, the effort to touch on these complex topics was commendable. It gave the film a sense of purpose and relevance beyond just being a crime thriller.
WEAK POINTS
Where Red Circle faltered was in its underdeveloped characters and plot. Several twists, though surprising, lacked sufficient context.
For instance, the twist revealing that Mrs. Holloway was the real chairman while her husband was just a front was unexpected, but it lacked context. Why did she choose to remain behind the scenes? Why was her husband so important to her that she poisoned him and then gave him an antidote? What exactly was the dynamic between them? These unanswered questions diluted the impact of an otherwise clever twist.
Similarly, Kalu’s offhand mention of his deceased family carried no emotional weight, and Fikayo’s sudden betrayal of her father, despite their close bond, lacked internal conflict. A deeper exploration of motivations would have made these moments more impactful.
The titular “Red Circle” itself remained frustratingly vague. Though referenced as a dangerous cabal, the film never clarified their operations, influence, or true threat level. Arese’s claim that exposing them nearly destroyed her had potential, but without a backstory, the stakes felt hollow.
Finally, the abrupt ending left too many threads unresolved. Was this setting up a sequel, or simply an oversight? Either way, it robbed the story of satisfying closure.
FINAL VERDICT
RED CIRCLE GETS A 7/10
Copyright 2025 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle