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Over the years, the popular tale of Madam Koi Koi, the ghostly figure known for the clicking sound of her heels and her eerie presence in school dormitories, has inspired several films and short stories.

‘Ms Kanyin’ had the potential to stand out as a fresh take on the tale, but it falls short due to a lack of attention to detail and an underdeveloped horror execution.

Amara’s mistake awakens Madame Koi-Koi. Now she and Mr. Mustapha must stop the vengeful spirit before it’s too late.

The first thing that stood out to me was the film’s location and set design. The school buildings, dormitories, assembly area, and dining hall all gave off the feel of those old, elite boarding schools, the kind mostly attended by children from wealthy families. The props also complemented the period setting beautifully. From the vintage decor to the classic tea cups, everything was thoughtfully selected and fit seamlessly into the world the film was trying to create.

The cast in the film also delivered strong performances. I was particularly impressed by Adedamola Adedoyin, the way he maintained a convincing Hausa accent throughout and not slipping out of it was really commendable. Michelle Dede, Temi Otedola, Kanga Jr, and the student actors all brought their characters to life in a way that felt believable and relatable. Each actor clearly understood the assignment and gave their best to the role.

‘Ms Kanyin’ was also beautifully shot, with crisp visuals and well-chosen camera angles that enhanced the storytelling.

The makeup effects, particularly during intense scenes like Fiona’s eye being pierced with a glass shard and throat-slitting moment, looked realistic and were well executed. The CGI was decent, the car somersault scene, for instance, was done convincingly, although certain elements, like the animated tree, could have used more precision and attention to detail.

One of the major weak points of the film was the lack of clarity around the era it was set in. While the costumes and vintage set design pointed to the 1990s, there were details that contradicted that timeline. For instance, Amara had a journal dated 2024, while the exam papers showed 1991. Even the makeup used by Amara and her friends felt too modern, more in line with current trends. These inconsistencies made it hard to connect with the film’s intended period.

Another major weakness of the film was how it fell short of fully embracing its horror potential. Despite having the right plot and setup, the execution lacked buildup, suspense, chills, or any jump-scare moments. Scenes that could have delivered genuine fear were underplayed. For example, Fiona’s death had the potential to be unsettling, but the moment her eye was pierced by a glass shard was shot from a distance. A closer shot would have intensified the effect. Similarly, when Kanyin slit her throat, the scene wasn’t shown directly, it was just a splash of blood that was shown. A brief moment showing the fear in Fiona’s eyes or Kanyin approaching her could have added the needed intensity. Perhaps the decision to tone it down was intentional, to avoid too much scare, but it left the horror element feeling incomplete.

There was also an unexplored subplot around Kanyin’s character that seemed intended to carry emotional weight but was left hanging. She often appeared visibly troubled, like something deeper was bothering her, but it was never addressed. Her “Paris dream,” mentioned by Amara, was introduced without explanation. The scene where Finn’s father assaulted her also felt incomplete, instead of reacting or speaking up, she stayed quiet, wearing an expression that suggested it wasn’t a new experience. That emotional moment hinted at trauma or a backstory, but nothing was revisited or explained. It came across as a missed opportunity to deepen her character and the story overall.

The pacing of the film also felt uneven. The beginning moved slowly, building anticipation for a major climax but when it finally came, it felt rushed. A more balanced progression could have elevated the storyline and emotional payoff.

‘Ms Kanyin’ gets a 6.5/10

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