Earlier this month, Netflix South Africa announced the release on their streaming platform a new horror/thriller movie “8”. This is one of several African original series to premiere this year on Netflix after Queen Sonoand Blood & Water.

The film was directed by Harold Holscher and stars Tshamano Sebe, Inge Beckmann, Garth Breytenbach and Chris April. A solid cinematic experience with very convincing performances, I must add.

For over two decades, Nollywood has been Africa’s leading movie industry and has been rated as the third most valuable after Hollywood and Bollywood.

It is a little strange to note that only two genres have prospered. Movies released from Nollywood have constantly told the same stories and have had an uncanny fixation with comedy and romance. In all honesty, this writer is tired of it and would love to see the industry delve into other genres. Living in Bondage was a great attempt at escaping the norm but there’s still a lot to be done.

As a community, we must lay emphasis on doing better. We must eliminate the scourge of unnecessary cameos and run away from parading the same set of actors. Rok Studios and Ebonylife Films need to cast actors other than Ireti Doyle, Mary Remmy Njoku, Kenneth Okolie, Bolanle Ninalowo, Adesua Etomi etc. We have other amazing and talented acts yet to be discovered.

Okay I’m calm now.

On a lighter note, Netflix Nigeria just announced two brand new projects. A series adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives and a film adaptation of Wole Soyinka‘s Death And The Kong’s Horseman. This is an interesting development and it is my earnest hope that in this scenario, the adaptations would be even better than the original texts.

There’s a need to admit to ourselves that other industries are catching up with Nollywood rapidly especially our South African counterparts. And if we want to maintain our position as Africa’s leading industry, we need to delve into other genres and cut the “rinse and repeat” act.

If we continue putting out mediocre content lacking in creativity and replay value, then Nollywood would soon be a thing long forgotten.