Introduction
The Herd arrives at a time when Nigeria is still struggling to come to terms with the scale of its kidnapping and terrorism crisis. What once felt like distant news has grown into a billion-naira industry that touches families, communities, and entire regions. This film does not attempt to soften that reality. Instead, it leans into it, presenting a story that mirrors what many Nigerians already fear and, in some cases, have lived through.
Credits
Director: Daniel Etim Effiong
Genre: Thriller
Plot Overview
At its core, The Herd offers a window into the emotional and psychological toll of kidnapping. The story follows Gosi, one of several victims, and extends beyond his suffering to show what their families endure while waiting, negotiating, and hoping. The film is less about spectacle and more about the quiet, terrifying uncertainty that defines life on both sides of captivity.
What the Film Gets Right
The technical execution stands out immediately. The opening escape attempt is one of the film’s strongest moments. The camera movement and speed modification as Gosi runs toward the river create genuine tension and urgency. It is a scene that pulls the viewer in without relying on excessive dialogue.
Cinematography and editing are handled with care, and it shows. The visual storytelling does much of the heavy lifting, allowing emotions to register through movement, silence, and framing. Casting is another strong point. Performances feel deliberate, and the diversity of languages used throughout the film adds authenticity to the world it is trying to portray.
Where the Film Falls Short
For a story grounded in realism, some details break immersion. In a scene where Gosi is instructed to dismember a corpse, the absence of blood stains on the cutlass after multiple cuts feels careless and distracting.
Dialogue is another weak spot. Some lines sound overly simplistic and out of place in a film dealing with such heavy themes. A line like Gosi telling the wife of his slain friend that he might not be able to say anything to make her feel better but might have “good news” feels flat and underwritten, pulling the film closer to the tone of a casual YouTube production rather than a serious thriller.
There are also logical inconsistencies. A line suggesting the captors did not know Habiba understood English contradicts earlier scenes where she negotiated with families in English. A more believable approach would have been to show her overhearing plans rather than pretending ignorance on the part of the terrorists.
Another questionable moment occurs when Gosi is asked to carry a corpse out of a locked cell. If the cell is locked, the mechanics of how he exits are never convincingly addressed. Small details like dangling hands in a freezer when it is opened further weaken the realism the film works hard to build elsewhere.
Costume design also misses the mark at times. Characters going through intense personal crises are styled too neatly. While it is understandable on the night of the incident, seeing grieving mothers still looking overly polished the following day undermines the emotional weight of their situations.
The final fight sequence feels unnecessary and poorly executed. Given how grounded the rest of the film aims to be, this scene adds little and only highlights Nollywood’s ongoing struggle with choreographed action when not carefully handled.
Personal Take
Beyond its flaws, The Herd is unsettling because of how close to home it feels. The suggestion of sleeper cells operating in the South West taps into a growing national anxiety. The inclusion of an NYSC member among the victims is especially sobering. Serving the country is still framed as a duty, yet the risks are real enough to be mentioned in official handbooks.
The film also confronts an uncomfortable truth. Terrorist operations often rely on insiders. Greed, politics, and compromised neighbours play a role, and the film does not shy away from that implication. With tragedies like the Owo massacre still fresh in public memory, The Herd taps into a collective exhaustion and fear. It even raises the painful question many Nigerians whisper but rarely voice openly. If separation truly promises peace, is it worth considering?
Critical Rating
Given the current state of the country, The Herd is positioned to resonate strongly with audiences. Its subject matter alone could push it toward record-breaking numbers on Netflix and potential award recognition. Despite its technical and narrative missteps, it remains a relevant and provocative watch.
Rating: 6.7/10
