I still can’t wrap my head around it. I binged a three-episode Nigerian miniseries on Netflix and genuinely had a good time. As the credits rolled, my first thought wasn’t “We need more Nigerian miniseries.” It was “We need more creative, engaging storytelling, like this.”
That said, let’s be real: The Party is a knock-off, or to be politically correct, it’s clearly influenced by The Afterparty on Apple TV+, the one with Tiffany Haddish. Same setup: a murder mystery, contained suspects. But The Afterparty leaned into genre gimmicks. The Party doesn’t, and it’s shorter.
Even so, The Party blends the classic who did it with over-the-top Nollywood performances that we all know, and somehow, it works. But let me not get ahead of myself. This show is still a mess.
The Party is a 2025 Nigerian murder mystery miniseries that dropped on Netflix on May 30. Created by Ope Ajayi and directed by Yemi “Filmboy” Morafa, the show kicks off with the sudden death of a young man at an upscale celebration.
Everyone’s a suspect. Secrets unravel. It’s a familiar setup, elevated by a strong cast: Shaffy Bello, Kunle Remi, Eva Ibiam, Kelechi Udegbe, Bimbo Manuel, Ben Touitou, Ray Adeka, Ayoola Ayolola, Kehinde Bankole, Segun Arinze, and Uzor Arukwe.
What works
As much as I enjoyed the show, I have to be honest, the two lead investigators (Eva Ibiam and Kelechi Udegbe) are the weakest part. Not because they’re bad actors, but because the direction leaves their characters flat and uninspired.
Watching Kelechi Udegbe, I kept thinking Segun Arinze should’ve led the investigation. He’s got the range and presence. Their performances felt like placeholders next to a stellar supporting cast.
Femi Branch was menacing and intense. Bimbo Manuel, playing the “respectable” father figure, nails it, so when the twists come, they actually hit. The friend group, I couldn’t tell them apart.
Their motivations are clear, but their characterisations are surface level, existing only to move the story forward. Still, they serve their purpose. Shaffy Bello steals the show, fully embracing the dramatic Nollywood style, and somehow making it work.
Visually, there’s intention and clear direction. The costume and makeup teams understood the assignment. Everyone looks distinct, even minor characters. The older cast has that classic West African look, while the younger ones look and feel trendy.
Cinematography is fine, clean lighting and framing, with some very creative shots. Editing steps up in episodes 2 and 3, especially during the interrogation scenes. That’s where the pacing tightens.
What doesn’t
It’s not perfect. It starts slow. The investigators remain one-dimensional. Some plot points require a generous suspension of disbelief, like how fast that autopsy comes in. And yeah, I guessed the killer by mid episode 2. Episode 3 struggles structurally, trying to wrap it all up, but the good performances keep it afloat.
Still, The Party is a good time. Proof that with the right story, cast, and direction, African storytelling can break past the usual, crime and drama. We need more of this,but with a bit more polish.
