The Trade main backdrop
The Trade main poster

The Trade

Visit website

6.2/10 • 4

2023-01-132h 8m

CrimeDrama

Based on True Events

This is the story of a notoriously cunning kidnapper known only by name, who has ravaged the southern part of Nigeria for over a decade. 'Eric' undertakes a job that brings the law closer than ever before. Inspired by true events.

Directors
Jadesola Osiberu
Writters
Jadesola Osiberu

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Stan Nze

    Stan Nze

  2. Rita Dominic

    Rita Dominic

    Dorris

  3. Chiwetalu Agu

    Chiwetalu Agu

  4. Ali Nuhu

    Ali Nuhu

  5. Shawn Faqua

    Shawn Faqua

    Charles

  6. Kelechi Udegbe

    Kelechi Udegbe

  7. Gregory Ojefua

    Gregory Ojefua

    Ebuka

  8. Gideon Okeke

    Gideon Okeke

    Spark

Reviews1

View Reviews
timilehin223 Avatar

timilehin223

Mar 21, 2023

6/10

"The Trade" is a gripping crime drama film, directed by Jadesola Osiberu, that draws inspiration from the true story of a notorious kidnapper who terrorized southern Nigeria for over a decade. Blossom Chukwuejukwu plays the elusive kidnapper, Eric, while Rita Dominic portrays one of his unfortunate victims. The film boasts an ensemble cast of talented Nollywood veterans, including Ali Nuhu, Chiwetalu Agu, Gideon Okeke, and Shawn Faqua, among others. One of the film's most notable strengths is its ability to showcase Nigeria's diversity in terms of culture and religion. The film features engaging shots that open a window into various aspects of Nigerian culture, which are not commonly portrayed in popular movies. This exploration of the country's diversity is a refreshing addition to the typical Nollywood fare. Another strength of the film is its subtle approach to Eric's character. The audience is not explicitly told that Eric is a kidnapper, but instead experiences his actions and interactions with other characters. This approach makes Eric more dangerous and unpredictable, as he blends in with the crowd like an average Nigerian man. The performances of the cast are also noteworthy, with Osiberu's direction helping to build tension as Eric moves from one kidnapping to another until he meets Rita Dominic's character. The humor that occasionally punctuates the film provides much-needed relief from the dark subject matter, while the satisfying ending delivers a just conclusion to Eric's criminal activities. However, the film is not without its flaws. The audio quality was subpar, making it difficult to hear or understand. Inconsistency in the "r" factor in the speeches of some Igbo characters also detracted from the film's overall quality. Certain scenes were not well-executed, such as the kidnapping of Rita Dominic, which appeared too easy, or the police officer's shooting, which was poorly edited. Some parts of the story felt rushed, such as how the police obtained the phone and SIM cards or how they tracked down Eric's location from Chris's phone. These flaws left some parts of the story feeling incomplete and not allowing the audience to fully take in the evidence. The car crash scene was also unrealistic, while the death of Shawn Faqua's character, who seemed to be an antagonist, did not evoke any emotion. Overall, "The Trade" is an enjoyable Nollywood movie that offers something different from the norm, with excellent locations, a great cast, and an engaging plot. The film's technical aspects, some scenes, and certain characters would benefit from improvement, but it is still worth watching for those seeking a crime drama with a Nigerian flavor.

Media

  • The Trade poster

Recommendations

  • Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to That Day main backdrop

    Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to That Day

    7.0

  • Avatar: Creating the World of Pandora main backdrop

    Avatar: Creating the World of Pandora

    6.5

  • A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master main backdrop

    A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

    5.9

  • No Backdrop

    Mickey's Safety Club: Street Safe, Street Smart

    9.3

  • Return to Horror Hotel main backdrop

    Return to Horror Hotel

    6.6

  • The King's Avatar: For the Glory main backdrop

    The King's Avatar: For the Glory

    6.7

  • Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact main backdrop

    Surviving R. Kelly: The Impact

    7.6

  • Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. main backdrop

    Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

    7.1

  • No Backdrop

    Return

    7.4

  • Reign of the Supermen main backdrop

    Reign of the Supermen

    7.0

  • Battle for the Planet of the Apes main backdrop

    Battle for the Planet of the Apes

    5.7

  • Ek Villain Returns main backdrop

    Ek Villain Returns

    6.0

  • 10 Items or Less main backdrop

    10 Items or Less

    6.2

  • No Backdrop

    Return of Special Forces 5

    6.6

  • HIT: The First Case main backdrop

    HIT: The First Case

    6.6

  • Doctor Who: The Snowmen main backdrop

    Doctor Who: The Snowmen

    7.7

  • How I Unleashed World War II, Part III: Among Friends main backdrop

    How I Unleashed World War II, Part III: Among Friends

    7.6

  • No Backdrop

    Return

    6.6

  • Secrets in the Water main backdrop

    Secrets in the Water

    7.4

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
No keywords have been added.