Alex Onyi's 'Meeting Rocket' and the Little Twist

By Olumide  Labulo 

Like many Nigerian artistes who float record labels to basically be in total control of their careers, Nollywood actors are beginning to replicate this style of I want to be in charge, I want to make more money by ditching (maybe there are other reasons though) established streaming platforms like Netflix, Showmax, Iroko, Ibaka and many more to float theirs on YouTube. Truth be told, YouTube has been a blessing to us by creating a platform that gives everyone equal opportunities to thrive. My only fear is how much doubt I have about these movies meeting up with the "acceptable" standard of film production in Nollywood. Check out the ones Ruth Kadiri, Timini Egbuson, Bolaji Ogunmola, etc. have on their platforms and you wouldn't blame me.

So, Alex Onyi published a movie Meeting Rocket on her platform on February 2, 2025. Although it has about 1.6 million views and over 30k likes, the story told isn't different from the typicality of "Naija movies" that dwell on over-flogged themes. This category (of movies) is terribly predictable. I, particularly, don't like tearing people's efforts apart all in the name of critiquing. However, what must be said must be said.

The movie stars Onyi Alex, John Ekanem, Chioma Nwosu, Nana Adae, and others. While it opens with the euphemeral nagging of a troubled mother-in-law who believes her son's childless wife murdered him to take over his property, we are able to quickly tell how the story will go and even end. But to be fair to Alex and her crew, there is a little twist on here which tilts in the direction of romance when Rocket, the bad boy comes into the picture. Of course in our own movies, when a man meets a woman, irrespective of the circumstances, they end up falling in love. 

Now, let's be honest here: a movie is only as great as the story it is telling. From Seven Doors to Anikulapo, Chief Daddy 1, She, Brotherhood, Blood Sisters, King of Boys, etc. you sure can tell. Hence, an actor is, maybe, only as good as the script he is given. This means all the cast delivered as much as the script allowed and my favourite of them is the gatekeeper. His semi-literate English and mannerisms allow him to naturally put the comic effect the play lacks. Other misses in the movie include Alex's slip from depression to complete madness. Haba! Research says depression can lead to psychosis and short-term memory loss, not madness which if we want to justify could be the result of her overused drug; and her mother-in-law's attempt to take over her business. Honestly, that could have been possible if she knew about the business so well or had been part of it. And the next one is her recovery from madness after an accidental sex with Rocket. Se sex is now a therapy for madness ni? But then, it's just a movie. Isn't it?