If you thought To Kill a Monkey was just another crime series, think again. This Netflix hit goes way deeper than the scams and gunshots. It’s raw. It’s emotional. And it leaves you thinking about your own life long after the final scene.
The story follows Efe, a smart young guy whose life takes a turn when he crosses paths with Oboz, an old friend turned cybercrime boss. What starts off as a way to survive quickly spirals into a world of betrayal, violence, and painful choices.
But beyond the drama, here are five powerful life lessons from the movie that hit hard because they reflect the kind of situations many of us face every day.
Table of Contents
Your past doesn’t have to decide your future
Efe had a good head on his shoulders. He was the kind of student parents brag about. But life happened, and he found himself struggling just to stay afloat. When Oboz returned with promises of fast money, it felt like the only way out.
This part of the story reminds us that things don’t always go as planned. You can be on top today and hit rock bottom tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. Every day gives you another shot to change your direction.
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Hard work doesn’t always bring success, but don’t stop trying
Let’s be real. We all know someone like Efe. They do everything right. They study, they hustle the honest way, yet success keeps dodging them. Meanwhile, Oboz, who dropped out, is living large. It doesn’t seem fair.
And honestly, life isn’t always fair. But this series shows that fast success often comes with hidden costs. So while it might look like others are winning, don’t let that push you into making choices you’ll regret. Stay focused on your own lane.
Every decision comes with a price
Once Efe joined Oboz’s gang, there was no going back. What started off as helping out turned into deeper crimes. With every move, things got messier. People got hurt. Families broke apart. And the guilt was real.
This lesson is one of the most powerful in the movie. It shows that even the smallest wrong decision can snowball into something big. Always think about the long-term cost of the choices you make today.
Betrayal cuts deeper when it comes from people you trust
One of the most painful moments in the series is when Efe turns on the very people who gave him a second chance. It’s heartbreaking to watch, and if you’ve ever been betrayed by someone close, you know how that feels.
To Kill a Monkey doesn’t sugarcoat this. It shows how loyalty can be shattered in a second, and once broken, it’s hard to fix. The lesson? Be careful who you trust and make sure you’re someone others can trust too.
No one is completely good or bad
This series doesn’t give us a hero in shining armor. Even the police officers have their issues. And the criminals? Some of them are just trying to survive. The story paints a picture of real people with real struggles.
It makes you realize that life isn’t always black and white. People make mistakes. Sometimes they do the wrong things for the right reasons. Before you judge anyone, take a moment to understand their story.
Final Thoughts
To Kill a Monkey isn’t just a thrilling story about crime in Lagos. It’s a reflection of the choices we all make, some easy, some painful, but all life-changing. It teaches us about pain, greed, ambition, and what happens when we forget who we are in the chase for more.
