DARK OCTOBER: MOVIE CRITIQUE

Dark October, the latest film from the talented director Toka McBaror, released on 3 February 2023, brings to life one of the most haunting and tragic events in recent Nigerian history. Based on true events, this film tells the story of the Aluu Four boys gruesome killing and the devastating impact it had on the nation, and their families. The film casts Chuks Joseph, Munachi Okpara, Kem-Ajieh Ikechukwu, and Kelechukwu Oriaku in the lead roles, and their performances are sure to leave a lasting impact on viewers, aside having a striking resemblance to murdered victim, they played their role perfectly.

The Aluu Four boys lynching event was a horrific act of violence that saw four young men from the University of Port Harcourt savagely beaten and murdered by a mob, simply for being accused of theft. The film explores the events leading up to this tragedy and highlights the importance of justice for all, regardless of social status or background. "Dark October" was produced by media mogul Linda Ikeji, Dark October serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of such senseless acts of violence can leave an unforgettable mark.

The film brings to life the naivety of the four students and their ill-advised plan to recover a debt, the debtor in turn wrongly accusing them of theft- showing how quickly a simple situation can escalate into a tragedy beyond their contemplation. The film masterfully captures the sense of foreboding and the thin line between being man and beast, as the audience watches the mob turn from a baying crowd into a horde of savages, chanting for the students' deaths. The film is not for the faint of heart, as it opens old wounds and is sure to leave a lasting impact on its viewers.

The haunting soundtrack and emotional portrayal of the events are sure to send shivers down the spine, as the audience imagines the sheer horror the real-life victims must have felt as they realized their youthful lives and dreams had come to such a tragic end. So, prepare to be moved and inspired by Dark October, the powerful film that is now streaming on Netflix. This film serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and the devastating impact that extrajudicial killings can have on a community and a nation.