The Journey excels in its realistic depiction of the horrors of human trafficking.

Movie Title: Òlòtūré: The Journey

Release date: June 28, 2024

Episodes: 3 (approximately 35 minutes)

Director: Kenneth Gyang

Starring: Sharon Ooja, Omoni Oboli, Beverly Osu, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Adebukola Oladipupo, Daniel Etim Effiong, Patrick Doyle, Bucci Franklin, Stan Nze, Amarachukwu Onoh, Pearl Wats

After the release of the film “Òlòtūré” in 2020, the story of the journalist trapped in her investigations is far from over.

The Nollywood Netflix series “Òlòtūré: The Journey” is a sequel to the 2020 film Òlòtūré. It is a powerful social commentary on Nigeria, blending the intensity of a documentary with storytelling.

Inspired by a 2014 trafficking investigation from PREMIUM TIMES, the film follows the story of Òlòtūré, a young journalist who goes undercover as a prostitute in Lagos to expose the dark world of prostitution and human trafficking. What she uncovers is a vast network of violence, corruption and exploitation.

Four years after the film's release in 2020, Netflix, in collaboration with EbonyLife Studios, continues the story of Òlòtūré's journey.

Plot

After surviving the harrowing experiences of her undercover journalism and several failed escape attempts, Ehi finds herself among other young girls disguised as missionaries on a bus crossing the porous Nigerian border with fake passports en route to Europe.

The journey takes them from Nigeria to Niger, with the girls being moved from one vehicle to another at different points along the way.

Meanwhile, Linda's murder after being caught with a phone and her sister Beauty's escape to the border have caused chaos.

Alero, the woman who organized the smuggling operation, has had a fallout with her boss, Tony. Tony has been pressured by Antonio, his Italian contact with a human trafficker, because of the missing girls.

As the girls were crossing Niger, their bus was ambushed by unknown gunmen sent by Ade. The attackers killed everyone except Ehi and another girl, Peju, who managed to survive.

On the other hand, Alero's problems worsened when Sir Philip, who had raped Ehi, discovered her journal and placed a bounty on Alero's head. Sensing Alero's vulnerability, Chucks saw an opportunity to replace her in the trafficking ring and began building a relationship with Tony.

Meanwhile, Beauty, who had escaped earlier, returned home to find her house and mother destroyed by fire. Overwhelmed by frustration, she blamed the charms and oaths sworn at a shrine before their journey. Faced with rejection and no family, Beauty returned to prostitution, this time with Chucks as her middleman.

Meanwhile, in Niger, Ehi meets two immigrants, Ben and Andrew, who were meeting with the top of Europe; they teamed up and headed for Libya, but what began as a quest for greener pastures became for them a journey into the valley and shadow of death. What will be their fate? Where would Ehi's undercover journalism take her?

Character analysis

The series retained some key characters from the original, such as Sharon Ooja (Òlòtūré), Omoni Oboli (Alero), Ikechukwu Onunaku and Patrick Doyle (Sir Philip).

And introduced some new characters like Daniel Etim Effiong (as Tony), Stan Nze (as Ben) and Amarachukwu Onoh (as Andrew). Òlòtūré: The Journey has excellent actors who do a splendid job of bringing their characters to light.

The series continues to feature Sharon Ooja as the titular protagonist, Òlòtūré, who goes undercover under the name Ehi. Ooja's performance captures the character's internal struggle and resilience.

Her portrayal inspires viewers to deeply understand her plight as she balances the desire to uncover the truth with the need to stay alive.

Ooja's ability to convey complex emotions and maintain the intensity of her character from the original film is a testament to her acting prowess.

Omoni Oboli, as Alero, the orchestrator of the smuggling operation, delivers a compelling performance. His portrayal of a character caught in a web of crime and betrayal adds depth to the narrative. Oboli’s ability to convey cruelty and vulnerability makes Alero a multifaceted antagonist.

Stan Nze's portrayal of Ben stands out, particularly due to the character's mix of Ghanaian and Nigerian heritage. Nze's ability to change accents and mannerisms adds authenticity to his character, making Ben's journey and struggles more relatable.

Amarachukwu Onoh, as Andrew and Ben, strengthens the narrative. Their shared journey to Europe, filled with peril and hope, is brought to life by Onoh's performance, which complements Nze's portrayal of Ben.

The supporting cast delivers solid performances, each contributing to the rich storyline. Although less central, their roles provide essential context and depth to the main narrative.

“Òlòtūré: The Journey” benefits considerably from its talented cast, both old and new.

Movie Analysis

“Òlòtūré; The Journey” is a haunting, factual portrait of the horrors of human trafficking, making its emotional appeal palpable even for viewers unfamiliar with Nigeria.

The series does not shy away from depicting sexual assault or shocking violence, using these elements to present a raw and theatrical reality. Themes of corruption, crime, crushing poverty and the hope for a better life on the “next level” drive the narrative.

The film offers a glimpse into the desperate lives of Lagos prostitutes, shedding light on the human reasons behind their choices as well as the overwhelming exploitation and violence they experience. The story also tells of the migrants' difficult journey across the Sahara Desert in search of greener pastures in Europe.

As Oloture, the protagonist, flees traffickers who know there is a mole among them, she must do whatever it takes to get her story out. At the same time, Beauty returns home and discovers that her home is not where she thought it was.

“Òlòtūré: The Journey” is a moving story about resilience and the seedy underbelly of human trafficking, depicting Oloture’s journey through a series of relentless adversities. His sad experiences leading up to his journey to Europe are intertwined with a story full of friends and foes, and the storytelling is so compelling that it's hard to look away, even for a moment.

The series vividly depicts the terrible challenges people face to survive and the sad reality of those who choose a difficult life due to a lack of alternatives. This portrayal is simply heartbreaking.

However, the series ends disappointingly without resolving many of its storylines, leaving viewers unfinished. The pace is frantic and the story seems unfinished despite the short length per episode. This abrupt ending leaves viewers with a cliffhanger, with many unanswered questions.

The series does not address whether Oloture and his group reached their destination, what happened to Beauty, or the outcome of the impending gang war. Although more episodes are expected, this makes the current season feel incomplete and half-baked.

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Despite close ties to the original storyline, the series must effectively integrate some essential elements of the past. For example, in the original story, Emeka, Òlòtūré's editor, made efforts to save her, which were ultimately thwarted. However, in the sequel, it is revealed that Emeka is dead, although the details of his death remain unclear. Additionally, the series does not explain how Sir Philip came into possession of Òlòtūré's diary, which had originally been given to Emeka.

Nevertheless, the series excels in its realistic depiction of those trying to make it to Europe through the desert. It features impressive cinematography, sound and lighting effects, which enhance the storytelling experience and keep the fascinating viewers glued to their screens.

Òlòtūré: The Journey is broadcast on Netflix

Òlòtūré: The journey | Official trailer | Netflix