A promising introduction sets high expectations for Ms. Kanyin, yet the film struggles to sustain its initial impact. The opening scene, involving a white man’s decapitation, had strong shock value—although the blood resembled palm oil more than realistic gore. Unfortunately, the momentum falters as the story meanders through roughly 20 minutes of loosely connected subplots, giving the impression of a television series attempting to build backstories rather than a tightly focused film.

Directed by Ikechuckwu Jerry Ossai, Ms. Kanyin features performances from Temi Otedola, Michelle Dede, Natse Jemide, and Toluwani George. The narrative follows a group of final-year high school students attempting to help one of their own secure the academic qualifications needed for Harvard University admission. This seemingly harmless mission spirals into a supernatural ordeal when they awaken a demonic entity hidden in a nearby forest.

One of the film’s more questionable creative choices is the large-scale search for the missing teacher, Ms. Kanyin, involving nearly the entire teaching staff. In reality, such a search would have been limited to security personnel. The exaggerated shouting of her name during this scene becomes grating, though the sequence is mercifully brief.

The film takes more than an hour to introduce any significant horror elements, and even then, the scares feel muted. The tone in these moments mirrors The Origin: Madam Koikoi (2023), a Nollywood production set in a boarding school haunted by a spirit whose footsteps echo through high heels. Viewers will notice a parallel in Ms. Kanyin, though revealing it here would spoil the experience.

The standout horror moment occurs when Ms. Kanyin claims her first victim—a female student—inside the school toilet. The death scene is convincingly executed, with the victim’s head striking the toilet seat in a way that feels disturbingly real.

However, the script’s frequent use of the F-word and S-word feels misplaced, especially for a Nigerian period film. These modern curse words jar with the otherwise well-crafted historical setting. The production excels in evoking its 1980s–1990s backdrop through period-appropriate details: outdated desktop computers, rotary telephones, vintage vehicles, and architecture that reinforces the era’s atmosphere.

Despite its strengths in visual authenticity and a few well-staged moments, Ms. Kanyin fails to meet the expectations of a compelling horror experience. The overlong build-up, uneven pacing, and lack of genuine scares make it a missed opportunity. The film earns a 6/10 rating and would have been broadly family-friendly were it not for the unnecessary profanity.

Quick Summary of Key Points

• Strong opening scene with engaging introduction.

• Overextended plot slows momentum.

• Weak horror elements and delayed scares.

• Standout scene: realistic death in school toilet.

• Misplaced use of curse words in a period setting.

• Authentic period visuals reflecting 80s–90s Nigeria.

• Overall rating: 6/10.