Hotel Labamba

In the secretive and luxurious Hotel Labamba, confidentiality is key as it serves exclusive guests looking for privacy. Well-known Instagram influencer Ella, joined by her wealthy partner Big Berry, gets caught in a complex situation when she is tragically killed during her visit.

Meanwhile, newcomer Halil Omar arrives with a business plan, while Pearl manages a meeting with her husband’s close associate. As detectives and police investigate Ella’s sudden death, doubt surrounds each guest, leading to a race against time to uncover the truth.

Directed by Biodun Stephen, “Hotel Labamba” explores the mysterious world of the hotel’s concealed pathways, where the manager’s urgency to solve the case conflicts with the desire to uphold the establishment’s secretive charm. As the investigation progresses, the pressing question remains: will the culprit be caught, or will Ella’s death stay hidden among the maze of secrets? In Hotel Labamba, trust is scarce, and everyone is a possible suspect.

The initial ten minutes of the film promise laughter with its comic characters, but soon after, the film becomes a tedious ordeal. With no thrills or entertainment, the overcrowded cast adds nothing substantial to the plot, which lacks coherence and depth. The identity of the killer is revealed midway, leaving no room for suspense or intrigue. The storyline is poorly written, failing to adhere to the conventions of a murder mystery. Feeble attempts at plot twists do little to salvage the overall boredom. Hotel Labamba ultimately falls short of delivering on its potential, leaving audiences disappointed and disengaged.

Right from the opening scence, when the hotel staffs grabbed onto Big Berry, played by Lateef Adedimeji, his acting and dialogue are sure to make viewers laugh. However, this sets the tone for the film, suggesting that comedy might overshadow the murder mystery plot teased in the trailer. And indeed, that’s what happens. Characters like the Hotel Manager, Etim (Okey Jude), Receptionist, Carol (Etinosa Idemudia), and Detective Yema (Blessing Jessica Obasi), Cleaner, Kaosara (Abiola Kareem) are supposed to add to the entertainment factor.

However, the success is short-lived as the film fails to sustain this comedic momentum. As the plot progresses, the comic elements become overshadowed by the overall lack of substance and coherence in the storyline. This shift ultimately contributes to the disappointment experienced by viewers, as the film fails to effectively balance its comedic aspects with a compelling. narrative. The film does not even have a compelling narrative in the first place.

Like many other Nollywood films, Hotel Labamba struggles to balance humor with a gripping storyline, much like Chief Daddy 2, directed by Niyi Akimolayan and Ponzi, directed by Kayode Kasum . The film misses the chance for redemption by not making the central plot hinge on Detective Zizi’s backstory, played by Bimbo Ademoye, and establish it right from the outset of the story. The humor and comedic elements introduced in the story would also have served a purpose, by providing moments of levity and lightness amidst the tension and seriousness of the main plot. The comic relief in the film would have help to humanize the characters, by adding depth to their personalities, and create a more engaging and dynamic story.

Bimbo Ademoye’s dialogue with her superior, SIU Head Femi Adedayo, illuminates her drive to solve the case, fueled by a need to redeem her father’s tainted legacy within the force. Had this aspect been further explored in the narrative, it would have added reasonable and relatable stakes to the plot. Regrettably, this missed opportunity could have elevated the story from the colossal disaster it ultimately became.

Despite its narrative shortcomings and unmet genre expectations, Hotel Labamba delves into a highly relatable theme through the character of Ella, flawlessly portrayed by Lillian Afegbai. Ella embodies the struggle of many women who become entangled in rituals orchestrated by dubious individuals with questionable wealth sources. Despite knowing the risks, they are lured by the allure of lavish gifts, extravagant cash, and a luxurious lifestyle, disregarding the questionable origins of their newfound wealth. For these women, the end result of affluence doesn’t necessarily justify the morally dubious means employed to attain it.

In terms of performances, Bimbo Ademoye steps into a different role, particularly in a humor-filled film, and manages to sustain consistency in her portrayal as the lead detective. Lateef Adedimeji delivers a memorable performance as an irritating character with a grating accent, yet falls short compared to characters like Falz the Bad Guy in terms of authenticity and originality. Blessing Obasi brings plenty of comedic elements to her role, although at times, unnecessary non-verbal communication and overacting detract from her performance. Lillian Afegbai shines in her role, despite her character keeping her within her comfort zone, similar to Bolaji Ogunmola. However, other slapstick characters fail to leave a lasting impression.

Hotel Labamba is evidently a feeble endeavor to mimic the series “The Afterparty,” an American comedy murder mystery anthology television series crafted by Christopher Miller in 2022. However, it falls short in every aspect of capturing the depth and focus on an engaging storyline akin to The Afterparty. The movie struggles to sustain the flurry of laughs and even its daring fusion of genres and extensive lineup of guest actors fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. But the soundtrack is the major highlight of film, as it was done perfectly.