To Kill a Monkey cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the Netflix crime thriller?

Kemi Adetiba’s To Kill a Monkey isn’t just a new chapter in her filmmaking journey—it’s a whole new genre field. Gone are the political thrones and revenge plots of King of Boys. In their place? Digital deception, supernatural whispers, and enough moral gray areas to fill a Lagos power outage. But at the center of it all is a cast that delivers serious firepower to the screen.

With a carefully chosen mix of Nollywood veterans and rising stars, To Kill a Monkey excels through its performances. This isn’t a project relying on just one or two big names—it’s an ensemble thriller where each character adds to the story’s relentless tension. So who’s playing whom in this dangerous game of choices, cybercrime, and consequences?

William Benson as Efemini – The reluctant criminal with no way out

William Benson (you might recognize him from A Green Fever or Crime and Justice Lagos) plays Efemini, a struggling everyman who gets pulled into the dark corners of Lagos's digital crime world. He’s broke, desperate, and trying hard not to lose his soul in the process. Benson delivers a brooding intensity that makes Efemini feel painfully real — like, "that-could-be-my-neighbor" real.

Opposite him stands Bucci Franklin, a magnetic presence as the unnamed old friend who reintroduces Efemini to a fast, flashy, and very illegal lifestyle. Bucci (featured in Rattlesnake and Far From Home) plays the devil’s advocate with swagger, charm, and just enough menace to make you nervous. Their chemistry as two men on increasingly opposite paths provides the show its emotional heartbeat—and several gut punches.

Supporting stars of To Kill a Monkey: From icons to newcomers, the ensemble delivers

The To Kill a Monkey cast is stacked like a 90s Nollywood DVD shelf. We’ve got Bimbo Akintola playing a mysterious spiritual figure tied to the supernatural side of the story. Stella Damasus slips into the role of a mother whose silence hides decades of pain and secrets. And Chidi Mokeme? He brings big energy as a smooth-talking fixer with questionable loyalties—exactly the kind of guy who makes you want to double-check your wallet.

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Rounding out the cast are Ireti Doyle, Michael Ejoor, Lilian Afegbai, Teniola Aladese, and Sunshine Roseman—each portraying characters affected by Efemini’s decisions. Whether they’re allies, enemies, or something in between, everyone adds depth to a world where no one's hands stay clean for long.

To Kill a Monkey is now streaming on Netflix, and with a lineup like this, don’t be surprised if you start Googling "Bucci Franklin monologues" or “Who’s the real villain here?” mid-binge. The story might be about crime—but the acting is nothing short of a heist.

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