Bucci Franklin: 10 things to know about the star power behind To Kill a Monkey

In Kemi Adetiba’s Netflix crime thriller To Kill a Monkey, Bucci Franklin brings an electrifying presence to the screen as Oboz (also referred to as Oboz‑da‑Bozz or Obuz), the charismatic and dangerous old friend who lures the film’s protagonist into the world of cybercrime. This role cements Bucci Franklin’s growing reputation as one of Nollywood’s most compelling actors—and gives us a character study that balances swagger, menace, and tragic loneliness.

Introducing Oboz: Charm, Violence, and Loyalty Wrapped Together

From the moment Bucci Franklin appears as Oboz, his swagger is undeniable. He arrives with ease, confidence, and the swagger of a man who has climbed from street corners to lavish living. Oboz’s introduction during the pilot’s final sequence is powerful: he steps into frame, stripped of fanfare, but dripping personality. His mask‑wearing initiation scene, followed by that closing meeting with Efemini, instantly sets the tone for his magnetic presence—and it’s clear: Oboz owns every frame he’s in. Franklin executes this with ease, delivering performance that “hijacks” the opening episode with sheer charisma.

Brotherhood and Betrayal: Oboz and Efe’s Twisted Bond

Bucci Franklin plays Oboz as the deviant brother who once might have offered salvation. When familiar in voice and gesture, he is an old cult friend to Efemini (William Benson); when with the fraud gang, he’s the devil’s advocate wielding charm as weapon. Their relationship is the soul of the series. Franklin captures Oboz’s tricky code—loyalty to the group but ruthlessness to outsiders, and familiarity turned dangerous. As described by character analysts, Oboz represents a self‑made man fueled by power, isolation, and unmet needs for genuine brotherhood—something he grudgingly acknowledges only in Efemini.

Performance Depth: From Swagger to Solitude

The brilliance of Bucci Franklin’s performance lies not just in Oboz’s swagger, but in the quiet loneliness beyond it. As described in the series’ character breakdowns, Oboz’s climb from poverty to obscene wealth leaves him hollow at the top. He’s proud, desperate, and unreachable—someone who mistakes projection for presence, and wealth for worth. Franklin balances that outward persona with internal erosion. His recognition of Efe as his one real connection offers a glimpse into how deeply isolated Oboz truly is.

In the restaurant flashback when Oboz re‑introduces himself to Efe, Franklin blends brash generosity with old affection—and then hints at danger just beneath. The craftsmanship in that subtle shift is why many critics felt the show’s emotional heartbeat throbbed most in scenes featuring their reunion.

Why Oboz Matters: A Manifestation of Toxic Success

Oboz is not a cartoon villain. He is success personified in Lagos—sweaty, rapid, post‑poverty aggression born of years hungry to keep climbing. Franklin doesn’t play him as a moral failure; he plays him as someone who fully bought into a self‑made myth. Oboz’s transformations—from street criminal to cyber boss—are wrapped in decisions, betrayals, and pressures, all of which Franklin navigates with nuance and restraint.

His greatest strength is in how little he needs to act. A posture shift, tense jaw, piercing eye contact—each moment reveals history, trauma, ambition, and regret. Critics called his role “force,” adding that Bucci Franklin’s Oboz is the key reason To Kill a Monkey is emotionally compelling.

Anchoring the Story’s Conflict and Tension

While Efemini represents moral erosion under pressure, Oboz represents authoritarian inevitability in crime. Their chemistry becomes conflict, and their friendship becomes frequent flashpoints. Oboz pushes Efe into schemes that promise one‑time fixes but guarantee ruin. When the trust starts to erode, Franklin tilts the relationship toward unpredictability—brotherhood gives way to suspicion.

As noted in reviews, Franklin’s performance elevated To Kill a Monkey beyond average. Even if certain plotting or sound design misfires, Oboz’s scenes consistently snap attention back to human stakes and emotional cost.

Oboz and the Wider Feel of Lagos Cybercrime

Kemi Adetiba’s Lagos is vibrant, chaotic, stylish—and fatal. Within this environment, Oboz is a local product: cyber‑era smoothness draped over old Hustler’s code. Bucci Franklin’s portrayal captures this intersection: he’s not special, but he’s also terrifyingly charismatic in navigating it. He is the city’s digital confidence who never quite shook its street code.

In ensemble moments with Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, and William Benson, Franklin matches their emotional tone while remaining fierce. Critics noted how his collaboration with Benson brought the best out of both actors, finding tension, regret, and loyalty in each exchanged line.

Why This Role Matters for Bucci Franklin’s Career

Bucci Franklin has been in Nollywood for years—but To Kill a Monkey is a breakthrough. Critics and fans alike have praised his Oboz as one of the most magnetic characters in modern Nigerian storytelling. On social media, viewers called him “a force,” his chemistry with William Benson “next level,” with praise echoing across platforms.

His role as Oboz is not showy. It’s quiet, measured, emotionally weighty. In an era of louder performances, Oboz demands attention by not pleading for it. That choice marks a significant moment in Franklin’s career: one where control becomes power, and restraint becomes intrigue.

In Summary: Oboz as Bucci Franklin’s Signature

In To Kill a Monkey, Bucci Franklin belongs to every frame he’s in, but especially in scenes with William Benson. He builds a character in Oboz who seduces through trust and terrifies through proximity. Oboz is the friend who gives you everything, then takes it all away—and Franklin lives in that tension.

Oboz isn’t the hero. But he’s powerful. He’s insider. He’s regret passing for rage. Like the city he inhabits, he’s both unstoppable and irredeemable. And Bucci Franklin’s performance makes him impossible to look away from.

10 Things to Know About Bucci Franklin

1. His Real Name is Aneke Bucci Franklin

Known popularly as Bucci Franklin, the actor was born Aneke Franklin in Nigeria. His roots trace back to the eastern part of the country, but he was raised in Abuja. The mix of his Igbo heritage and urban upbringing shapes much of his artistic voice today.

2. He’s a Broadcaster Turned Actor

Before his foray into full-time acting, Bucci was a seasoned broadcaster. His command of tone, diction, and storytelling was first sharpened behind a microphone. That discipline has translated beautifully onto screen, where his voice and poise give his characters extra gravitas.

3. Breakthrough Role in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story

Bucci caught Nollywood’s attention with his gripping role as Nze in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story — a remake of the classic Nollywood crime saga. His portrayal of the conflicted and unpredictable character earned him acclaim for bringing both intensity and empathy to the screen.

4. A Theatre Background Shapes His Screen Acting

Not just a product of camera lenses, Bucci is deeply rooted in stage performance. His theatre experience is evident in how he embodies characters — with intention, emotion, and total immersion.

5. Known for Playing Layered, Morally Complex Characters

Bucci isn’t drawn to simple roles. From a disillusioned patriot to a deceptive friend, his filmography reflects an actor in search of layered narratives. This trend continues in To Kill a Monkey, where he plays a man both terrifying and tragically human.

6. A Voice for Mental Health in the Creative Space

In an industry notorious for pressure and burnout, Bucci Franklin has used his platform to advocate for self-awareness, boundaries, and mental well-being. He speaks openly about the emotional toll some roles take — and the need for healthy detachment.

7. A Red Carpet Showstopper

Style matters — and Bucci gets it. His fashion choices are elegant, Afrocentric, and expressive. Whether in agbadas or well-fitted suits, he has a way of commanding attention without shouting for it.

8. A Director’s Favourite

From working with Ramsey Nouah to now collaborating with Kemi Adetiba, Bucci has carved out a reputation for professionalism and artistry. Directors trust him to bring subtlety to screen — and he rarely disappoints.

9. Carefully Selective with Roles

Bucci’s filmography is not cluttered. He is intentional about the roles he takes, often favouring stories that tackle socio-political issues, cultural identity, and psychological depth. To Kill a Monkey is a natural fit for his artistic vision.

10. Still Rising — And Just Getting Started

Despite his growing resume and industry respect, Bucci still approaches each role like an underdog — hungry, focused, and committed. If To Kill a Monkey is any indication, he’s only scratched the surface of what he can deliver.