The King’s Horseman – Netflix Movie – Review: Amusing Theatrical Piece

Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman is an adaptation of a play by same title, written and directed by Biyi Bandele, starring Odunlade Adekola.

Premise

The King's Horseman
The King’s Horseman (2022)

Inspired upon true life events, in the Oyo Empire in the 1940’s, Elesin Oba, the king’s chief horseman, succumbs to the lure of beauty and sexual desire on the very evening he is set to die in order to fulfill his lifelong debt of ritual suicide to accompany the dead Alaafin to the realm of the ancestors, he derails from a very important generational and spiritual transaction. This sets in motion a series of catastrophic consequences, in a spell-binding film of emotions, humor, and tragic role reversals that puts ancient beliefs and customs on trial in an ever increasingly post-modern and Western world.

Movie Review

A quirky movie with a clear theatrical narrative structure. Without big cinematographic gestures, but counting on good photography, we follow the sequence of events entertained by the amusing characterizations, and a script that is relaying a story, with dialogues fit for a play. A story that tells of customary differences in a colonial era.

The costume designs are impressive, and the performances are rather good. Note: it is important to read the subtitles when songs of the score are playing, as it is there many details of the story are conveyed. The movie is dubbed quite well.

Our Opinion

An amusing movie that is clearly adapted from a play.

Release Date

November 4, 2022

Where to Watch ‘The King’s Horseman’

Netflix

Direction

Biyi Bandele

Cast

Odunlade Adekola / Elesin

Shaffy Bello / Iyaloja

Olawale-Brymo Olofooro / Praise Singer

Deyemi Okanlawon / Olunde

Omowunmi Dada / Bride

Jide Kosoko / Sergeant Amusa

Mark Elderkin / Simon

Jenny Stead / Jane

Langley Kirkwood / Resident

Fares Boulos / Aide-de-camp

See full credits >>

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