Son of the Soil
| Son of the Soil | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Chee Keong Cheung |
| Written by | Chee Keong Cheung Razaaq Adoti |
| Produced by | Andreas Roald Ioanna Karavela |
| Starring | |
Production companies | Action Xtreme Sovereign Films Boxonia Blueprint |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English |
Son of the Soil is a 2025 Nigerian film, directed by Chee Keong Cheung, who co-wrote the film with British film producer Razaaq Adoti. The film stars Patience Ozokwor, Iretiola Doyle, and Sharon Rotimi, among others.[1]
Distributed by Netflix, Son of the Soil premiered at the 2025 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). In 2026, it made its US debut at the 34th Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Cast
- Razaaq Adoti as Zion Ladejo
- Sharon Rotimi as Ronke
- Patience Ozokwor as Zion's mother
- Philip Asaya as Dr. Baptiste
- Sunshine Rosman
- Taye Arimoro
- James Damilare
Background
The film was produced by Andreas Roald, the CEO of Sovereign Films, a film production company in the United Kingdom, Ioanna Karavela, Chee Keong Cheung, and Razaaq Adoti, in association with Wingonia Ikpi's Boxonia Blueprint, a Nigerian film production company. In 2025, Nile Entertainment, a Nigerian production company bought the distribution rights for the film for African viewers.[2]
Reception
Premium Times praised the actors' performances, especially Zion whom it compared with John Wick, however faults the film's writing.[4] In a starred review by Phil Hoad of The Guardian, he gave the film 3 out of 5, lauding Cheung's direction and relating the film as memory of 2002 City of God.[5]
Son of the Soil premiered at the 2025 Black Star International Film Festival in Ghana, where it won three awards: for Best Film, Best Director, and Best International Showcase.[6] It won the Audience Choice Award at the 2025 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). Earning five nominations at the Best of Nollywood Awards, it won Best Child Actress and Most Promising Actor awards.[7]
References
- ↑ "New in Nigeria: Movies and TV Shows to Watch this March 2026". What Kept Me Up. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- 1 2 Vourlias, Christopher (17 May 2025). "Nile Entertainment Takes African Rights to Action-Thriller 'Son of the Soil,' From U.K. Genre Label Action Xtreme". Variety. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Whittock, Jesse (14 May 2024). "Nigerian Action Thriller 'Son Of The Soil' Begins Shooting, Raz Adoti Writing & Starring". Deadline. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Muna, Emmanuel (7 March 2026). "Movie Review: 'Son of the Soil' wants to be Nigeria's John Wick but lacks punch". Premium Times. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Hoad, Phil (1 December 2025). "Son of the Soil review – bone-crunching Lagos revenge thriller with bruising swagger". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Ogunniyi, Oluwatomiwa (3 October 2025). ""Son of the Soil" Wins Major Awards at the Black Star IFF 2025". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ↑ Ayeni, Ibukunoluwa (2 February 2026). ""Son of the Soil" Set for US Premiere at Pan-African Film Festival". ShockNG. Retrieved 25 March 2026.