Penance Movie Review: A Strong Story Undermined By Questionable Execution

Penance follows the story of a young NYSC member who is strategically posted to the law firm of a man she secretly holds a deep grudge against. Determined to make him pay for his past wrongs, she carefully sets her plan in motion—a scheme that ultimately costs him his freedom and career.

Directed by Awal Abdulfatai, Penance is a gripping drama filled with twists, betrayals, and the devastating consequences of revenge. Now streaming on Prime Video.

Plot

In Penance, the drama kicks off with a gut-punch of a scene—Alice, visibly shaken, confesses to her sister that she has just been raped. The next morning, determined to seek justice, her sister takes her straight to the police, where she reports the crime to Detective Festus. The accused? None other than her boss, Majek—a high-profile Engineer with an impeccable reputation.

Of course, Majek denies everything. In his version of events, Alice had been posted to his firm as an NYSC intern and had been starstruck from day one. According to him, she had always admired him, and on the night in question, she was the one who came to his office after receiving a note—though he swears he never sent one.

Detective Festus, a man with a personal vendetta against rapists, fuelled by his own sister’s tragic experience. He wastes no time in launching a full-scale investigation, interrogating Majek’s staff and digging deep into the case. The more he uncovers, the worse things look for Majek. Eventually, when the evidence becomes too damning to ignore, Majek switches his story. He claims that, yes, there was an encounter—but insists Alice seduced him, and he never forced her.

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But here’s where things take an even darker turn. As Festus keeps peeling back layers of Majek’s past, shocking connections emerge between him and Alice. Turns out, their lives were intertwined long before that fateful night, and the skeletons in Majek’s closet were running out of places to hide.With gripping twists, emotional depth, and a chilling look at power and deception, Penance keeps audiences hooked till the very last scene. It’s a film that reminds us that the past has a way of catching up—no matter how well it’s buried.

Cast

Uzoamaka Onuoha steps into the role of Alice, delivering a performance that, while commendable, lacked the level of persuasion needed for full immersion. She made an effort to bring authenticity to the character, but her initial encounter with Majek felt slightly off, as though something was missing in her reaction. However, her facial expressions were spot on for the role, even if the makeup worked against the film’s emotional depth. 

Wale Ojo, on the other hand, was simply outstanding. As expected, he delivered a stellar performance, embodying Majek with effortless precision. His presence elevated every scene, reinforcing his reputation as a powerhouse actor.

Gregory Ojefua nailed his role as the relentless detective, bringing just the right amount of irritation and tenacity to the character. His portrayal was so annoying that the mere mention of apple might evoke unexpected reactions after watching the film.

Nonso Bassey as Bobby, however, felt more like a fashion model than a lawyer. While visually striking, his presence occasionally downplayed the seriousness of the story. A stronger, more grounded approach would have better complemented the film’s legal drama.

Rachel Emem Isaac, playing Alice’s sister, infused the movie with the necessary tone and intensity, ensuring the emotional weight remained intact. Her performance provided balance and kept the narrative gripping.

Supporting performances from Ana Cele, Prisca Nwaobodo, Cynthia Shalom, and others added depth to the cast, rounding out a film that, despite some inconsistencies, delivers a compelling watch.

Language

 Penance was performed in English. 

Summary

The costume and makeup department did a poor job of capturing the emotional depth of the story. Alice’s makeup, in particular, should have reflected someone deeply shaken by trauma, yet she appeared as though she had already moved on. This misstep inadvertently gave away a crucial plot twist, making it clear that she wasn’t actually struggling with the aftermath of the incident. The attempted suicide scene also lacked the raw intensity it needed to feel authentic. And the supposed forensic team? That lab coat was hardly convincing. The lack of attention to detail in these areas made it difficult to fully immerse in the story. One moment that did stand out was the lights-off sequence, which added some much-needed cinematic tension—but that was about as good as it got visually.

Narratively, Penance had strong potential, and while attempts were made to explain certain plot holes, parts of the story still felt implausible. The ending, in particular, seemed incomplete. The lawyer’s dismissal was abrupt, and Alice’s sister failure to pursue the case she uncovered left too many unanswered questions. While the film delivered a powerful message, it also raised a critical dilemma—should Alice have been arrested for her actions?