Last Call

Last Call sees popular radio presenter, Shola Thompson, delve into the world of filmmaking with this directorial debut.

In this, we’re told a story that revolves around Hauwa, portrayed by Zainab Balogun, a well-known radio host and influencer preparing to bid farewell on her popular radio show. However, her final live call-in segment takes a terrifying turn when she engages in a perilous conversation with a psychotic caller who has abducted her mother. To save her mother’s life, Hauwa must expose her innermost secrets to her audience on air.

Last Call thrives from a plot that is fresh. Most Nollywood cinema releases belong to action, romance, and comedy genres, but Last Call is a thorough drama with a focused plot. The dialogues presented here are keen. A clear example is the punchlines used during the radio call-ins which are entertaining and thoughtful; the ‘gbas gbos’ (tit-for-tat) moments adequately enhance those scenes. A good use of callbacks is also present in this movie, and they help reinforce the scenes they’re used in and aid continuity.

A lot of topics and themes are explored in Last Call. The inner workings of radio stations and in extension organizations are touched upon. When people are dating their bosses, they can sometimes find themselves making compromises or overlooking certain matters they wouldn’t otherwise, influenced by the dynamics of the romantic relationship and the professional hierarchy. There’s also a subtle exploration of cryptic pregnancies, which occurs when a woman doesn’t know she’s pregnant until she’s almost ready to give birth.

In Last Call, the theme of fan or stan obsession is explored, shedding light on the emotional turmoil fans experience when their idols disappoint them. Additionally, it also delves into the complexities of idolization, illustrating how fans may selectively focus on certain admirable traits while rationalizing or dismissing less favorable actions of their idols. This phenomenon highlights the intricate dynamics of fandom and the human tendency to idealize those we admire.

Between Olisa and Onome, the film also delves into themes of rape apology. Olisa (Seun Ajayi) is depicted as someone who enables and defends perpetrators of evil acts, including rape apologists. Their subplot raises the question of whether we can excuse or overlook the wrongdoing of individuals because of their other positive qualities. The topic of rape further worsens the existing tension between the couple, bringing underlying conflicts to the surface.

A subtle detail that observant viewers may catch is that, due to its radio theme, all the names in the film are those of Nigerian On-Air Personalities (OAPs).

Zainab Balogun superbly carries “Last Call” on her shoulders. While she has always been a capable actress, her brilliance shines through distinctly in this role. Her remarkable expressiveness and nuanced performance are evident as she effortlessly transitions between different moods. Playing opposite Zainab, Gbemi Akinlade delivers a delightful performance as a sort of antihero. While her tone may not always be fearful, the strength of her portrayal is amplified by the compelling writing she’s given. Additionally, her impeccable timing adds to the effectiveness of her performance. The remaining cast members also deliver standard performances.

Last Call does have its shortcomings. There were instances where the phone texts either weren’t clear or disappeared too hastily, making them difficult to read. The song that Zainab’s character was forced to play could have been much better. Its lack of quality might explain why it wasn’t added to the radio station’s music library. Overall, it wasn’t an enjoyable listen during the movie. Some subplots in the film remain unresolved or are approached with implicit storytelling, but these elements don’t consistently enhance the overall movie experience because of the questions we’re left with.

In the end, Last Call marks a promising debut for director, Shola Thompson, showcasing a fresh narrative in the Nollywood landscape. It offers a compelling drama that will resonate with viewers and leave them with questions to ponder, which is ultimately what every filmmaker aims for: to create a movie that’ll live beyond its runtime, long after the screen fades to black.