Son of the Soil – REVIEW

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The film opens with chaotic scenes of crowded, dirty streets that initially suggest a setting like Birmingham, but it’s actually Lagos, Nigeria. The story centers around crime, specifically the drug trade, and a new, highly addictive drug called Matrix, which is becoming increasingly popular. We see the drug’s creator, Dr. Baptiste, testing it on a woman in a hotel room. Unbeknownst to him, an undercover journalist disguised as a maid is also present – a classic plot device reminiscent of 1970s films. When the journalist is discovered, her life is in danger, and her subsequent death sets her brother, Zion – a former soldier with a criminal record – on a path of action.

He travels to Lagos determined to find his sister’s killer, but his approach often involves recklessly entering dangerous situations where he’s easily overwhelmed and ends up severely beaten. He consistently emerges from these encounters far more injured than someone making a disastrous public appearance.

This film feels like a classic 1980s action movie, filmed with a shaky, handheld camera. Director Chee Keong Cheung frequently uses unusual camera angles throughout.

Zion is joined by Ijelu Folajimi, a young girl living on the streets, and forms an unlikely alliance with Jagunlabi (Damilola Ogunsi), a gang leader who’s visually striking – he has albinism, wears a beret, has a red beard, and aviator sunglasses. His appearance is oddly reminiscent of a sight-impaired, eccentric character who’s made a mess of himself.

Starring and written by Razaaq Adoti, this film is pure action, filled with classic villains who are more about threats and weapons than meaningful dialogue. These characters mostly serve as obstacles for Zion and Jagunlabi’s relentless quest for revenge. It’s a straightforward, low-budget action movie that won’t win awards for character development, but it delivers exactly what fans of the genre are looking for.

Here’s the ‘Son of the Soil’ trailer….

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2025-12-05 21:23