- Death scenes in movies are usually one of the most emotional parts
- Nollywood films have featured notable death scenes which left viewers emotional
- Gangs of Lagos and Jagun Jagun, among others, are some Nollywood titles with epic death scenes
It is unsurprising to see viewers rooting for a character while watching a film, but what happens when the character dies?
Nollywood filmmakers, especially in recent times, seem to always include death scenes that keep viewers invested in their stories.
A death scene is a moment in a film where a character dies. It is usually considered one of the most memorable parts of a movie and one that sticks with the audience long after the credits roll. The audience is often left shocked, horrified, or emotionally overwhelmed.
In Nollywood movies, death scenes capture the audience's attention and make them look forward to what will happen next. When that scene finally ends, it feels like a piece of their soul has been stolen. What makes these scenes tragic? Is it the character's dying words? Their manner of death? Or their relationship with other characters?
Here, TheRadar shares 10 unforgettable Nollywood death scenes in no particular order.
10 unforgettable Nollywood death scenes
Jagun Jagun - Kitan’s Death ( 2023)
Femi Adebayo’s movie Jagun Jagun after its release, trended on social media with viewers sharing their perspectives on the film. The scene when Gbotija, an undefeated warrior played by (Lateef Adedimeji) discovered that Kitan (Bukunmi Oluwashina) was Agemo, a demon assassin, was the most tragic scene in the film. Though they started on the wrong foot, Kitan and Gbotija became friends, and slowly, it matured into a love they shared passionately. Both couldn’t stand to see the other suffer. Agemo tries to kill him. In the scuffle to save his life, he kills Agemo and unmasks the demon to realise it is Kitan. He couldn’t believe that he killed the love of his life. The realization would leave you emotional and teary.
Jagun Jagun - Wehinmo’s death (2023)
This is another death scene in Jagun Jagun that leaves viewers emotional. If Wehinmo knew his good behaviour would cost him his life, he might have chosen to be heartless instead. He was a warrior sponsored by his entire community to train under the Ogundiji’s school of warriors. He was supposed to return to his people as a strong warrior after training, but his corpse was returned to them instead. He was caught giving food to his colleagues who were serving hunger punishment. Furious, Ogundiji, being a heartless leader, ordered that Wehimo be burnt alive for his disobedience.
Gangs of Lagos - Ninalowo's death (2023)
Gang of Lagos, released in April 2023, is a story of gang war and political thuggery in Isale Eko. Despite being a supporting act, one of the memorable characters in the film was Ninalowo, played by (Tayo Faniran). He was remembered for his role in Oba's (Tobi Bakare) childhood. Like most typical deaths in Nollywood, this wasn't any different. It was sudden and unexpected. Viewers thought he would live long to see Oba grow up. However, he was found dead on the street with machete cuts from a rival gang. The scene had viewers empathetic and emotional.
The Blood Covenant - Advantage's death (2022)
The 2022 movie The Blood Covenant revolves around the story of three ambitious young men, Osiano, Eddy and Jite, played by (Shawn Faqua, Tobi Bakare and Uzor Arukwe). They pursue their dream lives in the harsh landscape of Lagos and find themselves seduced by rituals and blood money.
Though a minor character, Advantage (Chimezie Imo) plays a victim of circumstance. He wants to be as rich and influential as his brother, Osiano. Unknowingly to him, his brother is involved in rituals. His brother later sacrifices him as the human blood needed to redeem their money. Viewers can see the pain and emotion when Advantage begs Osiano not to kill him, yet he eventually kills Advantage.
The Griot - Tiwa's death (2021)
The Griot tells the story of a talented but shy storyteller who faces betrayal after his best friend steals his tales to impress the woman they both love. Tiwa, played by (Goodness Emmanuel) is unforgettable in the movie because her death gave the film a tragic end. After fighting all odds to be together with Lakunle (Lateef Adedemeji), Viewers thought it would be a happily ever after. However, Lakunle's friend appears to disrupt their happiness. In an attempt to kill Lakunle, he mistakenly stabs Tiwa with a knife and runs away. Viewers are taken back to the love birds' memories together before Tiwa dies in Lakunle's hands. It is truly heartbreaking..
Dark October - The Aluu Four's Death (2023)
Centred on the effect of jungle justice, the film captures the true-life tragic death of the four Port-Harcourt University students, Lloyd Toku-Mike, Tekena Elkanah, Ugonna Obuzor and Chidiala Biringa. They were brutally killed over false accusations in 2012. The movie was released in February 2023. The boys, played by (Chuks Joseph, Munachi Okapara, Ajieh Ikechukwu and Kelechukwu Oriaku) went in search of a debtor who owed one of them. Unfortunately, the debtor raised a false alarm. He alleged that the boys had come to rob him. They were paraded as thieves and lynched to death.
Shanty Town - Scars' death (2023)
The movie produced by Chinenye Nwaroh is a story on drug trafficking, prostitution and political thuggery. Scar's (Chidi Mokeme) death was memorable as the lead character and villain. His death is the explanation of what goes around comes around. He was brutally stabbed to death by all the girls he subjected to prostitution and denied freedom. He was in his office after escaping a gang fight. He realised that the girls were waiting for him. One by one, they took turns to stab him to death. Viewers can feel his helplessness despite being a terror from the beginning of the movie; here, he is left helpless to die a tragic death.
Ayinla - Ayinla's death (2021)
It is a true life story about Ayinla Yusuf (Lateef Adedemeji), a famous Apala musician—the movie, released in 2021, details the events that eventually led to his death. The character was memorable because he was signed to perform Apala in London, and viewers looked forward to his performance. The hope to see him in London was cut short during a fight in a bar. He was mistakenly stabbed to death by his manager, Bayewu.
Gang of Lagos - Pana's death (2023)
It was easy to remember Pana (Chike) because of how his character was portrayed. He is going and has never hurt a fly. Viewers rooted for him because he was good at his music and spiced up the movie. He was never seen without his friends. He wants to live his dreams and be happy. The situation took a tragic turn when his boss set him up after promising him a performance in a big club. On his way to the performance alone, he was attacked by a group of guys in the street. They hit him beyond recognition with their cutlass, sticks and other weapons. He never made it to the show to perform his long-dreamed song as promised. The scene left viewers sad and emotional.
Brotherhood - Goldie's death (2022)
Brotherhood is anchored on the story of two brothers who fall on two different sides of the law. One is a policeman; the other is an armed robber. On their last operation, things go south, and the team exchanges fire with the police, who have surrounded them. In the attempt to escape with Akin (Tobi Bakare), Goldie (Toni Tones) is hit by a bullet, leaving Akin heartbroken. Her death was memorable because it was out of the blues. They had narrowly escaped before the bullet suddenly hit. The effect on Akin made it more tragic.
7 Nollywood iconic screen divas who look younger than their age
Earlier, TheRadar compiled 7 iconic actresses who seem to always appear younger despite the advancement in their ages.
Most of them are legends in their own right and have seen generations. They are either in their forties or fifties but in reality, one can bet they look way younger than their age.
