Inside Life, a paranormal drama series directed and produced by renowned music video director Clarence A. Peters, explores the intersecting stories of prisoners in Lagos, unveiling the city’s darkest secrets. The series features a desperate man, a devoted sister, and an ambitious woman, each navigating their own struggles within the confines of a Lagos jail. Premiered in October 2024, Inside Life is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Plot
Inside Life unfolds with a poignant narrative as a grandmother begs her grandson to release her from their familial curse, a disease that has plagued them for generations. The grandson, Ade, frequently visits the pharmacy to procure medicine for his ailing mother, often relying on credit. He, however, receives consistent support from Ese, who is a staff at the pharmacy, despite his ongoing struggles.
While Ade is in dire need, his childhood friend Kenny offers assistance, which Ade declines, disapproving of Kenny’s business ventures. Ade, who operates his own business, is actively seeking investors. Kenny proposes that Alaga, a mutual acquaintance, is interested in investing, urging Ade to reconsider this opportunity with urgency. However, the nature of the business was never disclosed in the movie.
Upon arriving at the designated meeting place, Ade and Kenny encounter a room filled with men. Among them is Alaga, a gang leader marked by a partial facial scar, who engaged in a heated discussion with Alhaja/Simbi about loyalty. Simbi, a long-time associate of Alaga, accuses him of misappropriating funds to the police. In retaliation, Alaga accuses Simbi of collusion with Alaga’s sworn adversaries, the Alatas. Simbi, a mother and police officer, is embroiled in questionable dealings, and the conversation escalates into severe threats, leading to Alaga’s death. Ade, witnessing the chaos, is apprehended and imprisoned, while a shadowy figure emerges to fatally shoot his mother.
Nine months prior, Marshal, a prisoner with a tumultuous history, witnessed the brutal rape and murder of his mother. In his quest for vengeance, he confronts the perpetrators, killing them with his bare hands while awaiting the gang leader, whom he ultimately executes before surrendering to the authorities.
In a parallel storyline, Itohan, a young girl imprisoned, suffers relentless abuse at the hands of her stepfather. Her mother, aware of the abuse, advises her to endure it, as he is their sole provider following their father’s abandonment. When the stepfather attempts to assault Itohan’s younger sister, Mimi, the sisters retaliate, resulting in his death. Itohan encourages Mimi to seek help from a friend and subsequently turns herself in to the police. As she narrates her tale to the other prisoners , another inmate claims to know Mimi, but before she can divulge more, she is taken away by law enforcement. The girl is then subjected to intense questioning by Alhaja and her gang, who pressure her to confess. This scene however remains a mystery to the viewers.
Gift Okafor found herself living with her aunt, burdened by financial pressures from her father while pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. As a neighbour to Ese, she briefly crossed paths with Mimi during a conversation. On her way to an audition, Gift boarded a bus where Ade was working as the conductor. However, upon reaching the audition location, she was rendered unconscious and taken captive by a mysterious woman wielding a glowing ring. This episode gave some level of cohesion to the movie’s plot.
Inside the cell where she was imprisoned, Gift discovered that she was not alone. Several other girls, including Mimi, were also held captive and subjected to abuse. Mimi had been abducted alongside Titi, a friend of Itohan. While Titi met a tragic fate, her spirit seemed to re-emerge moments before the episode concluded.
Another storyline emerged featuring Chiamaka, who faced the cruelty of her wicked stepmother. She, too, fell victim to the same woman with the glowing ring, known for her enchanting powers that allowed her to control others.
In the series finale, a significant power shift occurred when the original ring bearer, Folashade, was overthrown by a former captive who assumed the role of the new bearer. This new figure summoned Chiamaka, referred to as the “chosen one,” to participate in rituals designed to deliver the captive girls to a powerful chief. However, the chief, revealed to be a ring bearer himself, overpowered her and reclaimed the girls, although leaving Mimi behind due to her age.
Every four years, rituals are performed with the captive girls for politicians seeking power. As tensions escalated, Chiamaka was granted powers to confront the chief, but ultimately she was subdued. In a further twist, Simbi approached Marshal, offering him the glowing ring, hinting at deeper connections and the ongoing struggle for power within this dark narrative.
This unfolding story highlights the harrowing experiences faced by women ensnared in a world of exploitation and manipulation, weaving together themes of ambition, captivity, and the quest for freedom.
Cast
Inside Life features a compelling mix of both established and emerging actors, each expertly chosen for their roles, resulting in strong performances across the board.
Chisom Egu, portraying Chiamaka, emerges as a pivotal character in the film. Her standout moment occurs during an intense confrontation with her sister, where her anger resonates deeply with the audience, especially given the backstory of her maltreatment since childhood.
Gabriel Afoloyan, despite limited screen time as Alaga, effectively brings tension and suspense to his scenes, particularly during a heated exchange with Alhaja, played by Magdalene Tanwa. Many viewers found themselves wishing for more such impactful moments throughout the film.
The cast also includes veteran actors such as Jide Kosoko as the Chief and Scarlet Gomez as Folashade. Other notable performances come from Zack Orji, Rachel Emem Isaac, Gift Ndah, Abimbola Kazeem, and many more, all contributing to the film’s rich tapestry of talent.
Language
English , Pidgin English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Esan languages.
Summary
Inside Life is a supernatural thriller drama series that delves into heavy themes such as death, myths, human trafficking, politics, power, and survival. However, these compelling topics often lead to a story burdened by excessive complexity.
One significant issue with the series is its pacing, which makes it challenging for viewers to follow the various storylines. What begins as a straightforward drama in the first episode becomes increasingly convoluted, leaving audiences struggling to keep track of the narrative’s progression.
Some subplots, such as Gift’s backstory involving her father and aunt, felt unnecessary and detracted from the main plot. Similarly, Ade’s storyline seemed disconnected until it found some relevance in Episode 3. The apparent resurrection of Titi further contributed to the viewer’s confusion.
While Episodes One and Five provided some enjoyable moments, the series lacked consistent character connections, with Chiamaka being the only character that resonated deeply.
On the positive side, Inside Life excels in cinematography, with its lighting and colour tones creating a unique visual experience. Despite its strong thematic elements and impressive visuals, the series ultimately suffers from its complexity, leaving viewers hoping for better clarity in the future season.