Directed by Ramsey Nouah, Netflix’s latest thriller, Tokunbo, delves into the timeless theme of betrayal, where the people you trust the most often fail you when it matters most. The film follows Tokunbo, a veteran car thief determined to leave behind a life of crime, danger, and constant fear of arrest. Eager to start fresh with his wife, Tokunbo aims to break free from Gaza, a menacing mafia boss. But his world spirals out of control when his newborn son falls gravely ill, and he finds himself in desperate need of money for life-saving medical treatment. Having turned his back on his criminal past, Tokunbo struggles to find a way to raise the funds. Will he be able to save his child in time? Let’s dive into the story to uncover the truth.
Spoilers Ahead
Tokunbo (2024) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis
The narrative follows the titular character as he grapples with his desire to leave a life of crime behind and provide a better future for his family. Initially, Tokunbo is a car smuggler working for the feared gangster Gaza. His life begins to shift when his wife, Lisa, is about to give birth to their son, Chris. Disturbed by Gaza’s violent tendencies, Tokunbo resolves to change his ways and takes up a humble job as a cab driver, hoping to distance himself from his criminal past. However, eighteen months later, Tokunbo faces new challenges. Chris, now a toddler, requires an expensive heart transplant. Tokunbo’s earnings as a cab driver are barely enough to cover the family’s basic needs.
Desperate for money, Tokunbo goes to everyone for help, but no one can provide him with the money he needs. We are soon introduced to Folashade, the newly appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who is also facing significant challenges. She plans to implement a groundbreaking policy to stabilize the nation’s economy. However, this policy threatens the vested interests of certain stakeholders, sparking opposition as they rebel to protect their personal gains.
Will Folashade’s Bold Cryptocurrency Reform Be Derailed by Nike’s Kidnapping?
Nike’s kidnapping is a direct consequence of her mother, Folashade’s position as the newly appointed governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Folashade is set on introducing a controversial policy to regulate the cryptocurrency market, a decision many influential figures oppose. As a woman in a powerful position, she is already under scrutiny, and her bold policy moves intensify the resistance.
While Folashade’s gender might exacerbate the backlash, her proposed economic reform is the main issue. This policy threatens the interests of those who benefit from the current unregulated financial environment. Kidnapping Nike serves as a means to halt or sabotage her plans. The abduction takes place on the very day of a press conference where she intends to announce her new regulations, creating a personal crisis that could derail her public appearance and her policy introduction.
Can Tokunbo Escape the Grip of Crime and Save Both Nike and Himself?
Tokunbo unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of this kidnapping plot. He has worked as a driver conducting shady deliveries for an unknown caller and is already compromised. He had reluctantly participated in drug trafficking because he was desperate to provide for his family, particularly his son. However, Tokunbo never anticipated that his last delivery would involve a kidnapped child.
When he discovers Nike in the backseat of his car, he immediately wants out. However, the caller’s hold on Tokunbo is strong. He blackmails him with incriminating evidence and pictures of him delivering drugs, leaving Tokunbo with no choice but to cooperate. On top of this threat, the caller offers him 30 million naira to transport Nike to the border within three hours. Tokunbo is torn between his conscience and his fear of imprisonment. He is acutely aware of how dangerous the situation has become but feels trapped. His deep financial struggles and desire to protect his son from a life of poverty ultimately force him to proceed with the kidnapping.
What Happens to Tokunbo’s Son and Wife?
In a tragic turn of events, Tokunbo’s family becomes critical to his downfall. After kidnapping the young girl, Tokunbo discovers that the mastermind behind the crime, Raymond, is using his wife, Lisa, and their son as leverage. Desperate to protect his family, Tokunbo complies with the kidnapper’s orders despite knowing he is being watched closely by the police.
However, Tokunbo’s worst fears are realized when his wife calls him to deliver heartbreaking news that their son has passed away. The kidnapper, who had been holding the family hostage, took them to his warehouse from the hospital. It’s at this point that their son’s life is cut short. This revelation leaves Tokunbo devastated, as his entire motivation for committing the crime was to ensure his son’s safety.
Nike’s instincts are to attack and escape. However, after overhearing Tokunbo’s conversation with the kidnapper, she begins to understand the complexity of his situation. Nike realizes that Tokunbo is not a ruthless criminal. He’s a man under immense pressure, fearing for the lives of his wife and son. Rather than seeing Tokunbo as her enemy, Nike starts to sympathize with him.
She recognizes his internal struggle and decides to cooperate with him, hoping for a peaceful resolution. Blinded by grief, Tokunbo loses control of his emotions and, as a result, his driving. Overcome with despair, he is unable to focus on evading the police. In his emotional turmoil, Tokunbo speeds off a bridge, plunging into a river below, marking the end of his tragic journey.
Tokunbo (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
Will Tokunbo Survive Gaza’s Deadly Betrayal and Find Redemption?
At the film’s end, the titular character finds himself deeply entangled in a web of crime, betrayal, and redemption. Despite starting as a man coerced into kidnapping by circumstances, Tokunbo’s actions reveal a heart capable of compassion and change, particularly in his treatment of Nike, the victim he was forced to abduct. In a climactic twist, Tokunbo’s life takes a sharp turn after surviving a dangerous fall with Nike and later rescuing her.
Upon ensuring Nike’s safety by leaving her in the care of Iya Muli, Tokunbo is determined to turn things around. He is on his way to meet Lisa, his love, when his plans are violently interrupted. A car crashes into him, and the ruthless gangster Gaza abducts Tokunbo. This unexpected development marks the turning point in the film’s final act. He soon discovers that Gaza was, in fact, deeply involved in the kidnapping all along.
What is the Shocking Twist?
Gaza, furious with the way the kidnapping had unraveled and the subsequent police involvement, seeks to punish Tokunbo for his perceived failure. Gaza had initially planted the phone in Tokunbo’s car that he used for deliveries, implicating Tokunbo in the broader criminal plot. The gangster’s fury culminates in a violent confrontation, where Tokunbo, desperate to prove himself, challenges Gaza to a bare-knuckle fight. Despite his resilience, Gaza overpowers him. Just as it seems all hope is lost, Iya Muli intervenes, shooting Gaza and saving Tokunbo from certain death.
The police, informed by Iya Muli, arrive at Gaza’s den and rescue Nike. With the situation now under control, the film reveals a shocking twist: Folashade’s personal assistant, Aziba, and Raymond, the deputy governor of the central bank, were behind the kidnapping operation. Aziba’s betrayal is harrowing for Folashade, who had trusted her deeply. The assistant had kept Raymond informed throughout the ordeal, ensuring the kidnapping plan unfolded as intended. However, their plan falls apart when a police officer overhears their conversation, leading to both of their arrests.
Can Tokunbo Build a New Life After His Dark Past?
Following the rescue, Tokunbo is arrested, and his involvement in the kidnapping is undeniable. However, having developed a bond with him during their ordeal, Nike convinces her mother that Tokunbo is not an evil man but rather someone driven by desperation to make terrible choices. Folashade, moved by her daughter’s testimony, sympathizes with Tokunbo and grants him a second chance. Instead of pushing for further punishment, she offers him a job as her personal bodyguard, recognizing that giving him a sense of purpose and stability might prevent him from falling into a life of crime again.
In the film’s final moments, Tokunbo’s life takes a positive turn. His relationship with Lisa remains intact, and they are expecting a baby. This news gives Tokunbo renewed hope, symbolizing a fresh start after the trauma and chaos that had previously engulfed his life. Nike’s joy at seeing Tokunbo given a second chance, along with the impending arrival of his child, suggests that Tokunbo’s path forward, though not free of challenges, is filled with redemption and healing potential.
![Nervous Translation [2017] Review: The Cinematic Beauty of A Child’s Gaze](http://www.highonfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nervous-Translation-860-thumb-860xauto-69102-768x430.jpg)
