Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Coming-of-age thriller has graphic violence, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ijogbon
What's the Story?
In IJOGBON, four teenagers from a small village in Nigeria find a pouch of diamonds, which they try to sell and profit from. Things change when the diamond owners try to find their lost package, leading to a violent outcome that alters the course of their lives.
Is It Any Good?
This Nigerian coming-of-age film borrows from films like The Goonies and gives them a twist that highlights the culture of the West African country. But although IJOGBON kicks off in a thrilling way, director Kunle Afolayan takes too long to get to the point of the film, often turning it into a tedious experience where the twists we know are coming are delayed to the point of making it a slow-moving experience.
Afolayan's intentions of providing profound character portraits are noble, and there are many scenes that highlight the inner lives of the main characters, but the last part of the film arrives like a jarring wrecking ball, completely altering the mood set initially and paying homage to the chaos referenced in the Yoruba word that gives the movie its title.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what happens when you find something valuable that doesn't belong to you. Would you act like the kids in Ijogbon? Why or why not?
The film highlights aspects of Nigerian culture that aren't often seen in mainstream cinema. Where can you go to research more on Nigeria and its history and culture?
Ranti's parents want him to become a pastor despite his wishes. What would you do if your parents wanted you to pursue a career that's not interesting to you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 20, 2023
- Cast : Ebiesuwa Oluwaseyi , Ruby Akubueze , Kayode Ojuolape
- Director : Kunle Afolayan
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 6, 2023
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