Hustle Code is a YouTube film that explores the lives of three young women, Zara, Mena, and Kelly, as they navigate the challenges of survival and ambition in Lagos. Directed by Omoruyi Efosa Emmanuel (Uche Montana TV), the movie portrays the complexities of urban life, where appearances often mask deeper struggles.
Plot
The movie begins with Zara and Mena, roommates striving for better lives. Zara is entangled in a tumultuous relationship with Pato, a man who belittles her and accuses her of being financially dependent. Despite his disdain, Zara views him as her potential escape from poverty.
Mena, on the other hand, presents herself as a forex trader but secretly engages in fraudulent activities to make ends meet—their dynamic shifts with the arrival of Kelly, a social media influencer who exudes affluence and confidence. Kelly’s lavish lifestyle, complete with designer bags and a car, captivates Zara and Mena, leading them to question their own paths.
However, Kelly’s facade crumbles when a creditor confronts her over unpaid debts, revealing that her opulent lifestyle is built on borrowed time. This revelation forces all three women to confront their own deceptions: Zara had taken a loan to purchase a luxury bag, and Mena’s forex trading was a cover for her scams.
In a bid to resolve their financial woes, Kelly proposes they become escorts, not for sexual services, but to accompany wealthy clients for social appearances. What starts as a one-time arrangement spirals into a deeper entanglement, especially when Mena’s family faces a medical emergency, prompting another job that ultimately leads to unforeseen consequences.
Cast
The film features Uche Montana, Chinenye Nnebe, and Phyna Otabor in leading roles.
Language
A perfect blend of English Language and Pidgin.
Final take
While Hustle Code attempts to present a layered narrative about the realities of survival and the pressure of curated lifestyles, it ultimately suffers from a lack of depth in storytelling, a recurring issue in many Uche Montana-led projects.
Uche’s films often don’t offer particularly fresh ideas, and that in itself wouldn’t be a problem if the execution compensated for it. But more often than not, the plots feel designed more for virality or sensationalism than for genuine storytelling. There’s a noticeable absence of thoughtful script development or narrative cohesion. Even though there’s usually a moral undertone, something to teach or reflect on, it rarely lands with the emotional weight or originality that would make the story memorable or lasting.
In Hustle Code, this pattern continues. The characters are interesting, and the premise has potential, but the plot veers off course as the story unfolds. The ending, in particular, feels rushed and poorly thought out, like an afterthought rather than a resolution. It lacks the payoff the buildup promises, leaving the viewer unsatisfied.
