Tribute to “Nneka the Pretty Serpent,” an influential Nollywood horror movie
“Nneka The Pretty Serpent” started a new approach to the horror genre in Nollywood. What do you think are the most influential horror films of all time?
In the 90s, the Nigerian film industry saw an influx of spiritual thrillers.
It all started with classics like “Living in Bondage” and “Nneka the Pretty Serpent.”
While the first was a horror movie about sacrificing a loved one for financial gain, the latter was about sending a demon possessed human into the world as a destructive weapon.
You can’t exactly classify them as horror movies. They were more spiritually minded. Nevertheless, they still evoked an intense feeling of fear and were horrifying enough.
Zeb Ejiro’s “Nneka The Pretty Serpent,” a 1992 movie, is generally accepted as the first ‘horror’ movie to explore the storyline of female demons sent to the world to seduce men of God.
The movie starred Ndidi Obi as the lead character Nneka, a mermaid disguised as a human, whose mission on earth was to go after married men.
Since then, Nollywood spiritual thrillers with such storylines are a dime a dozen. The influence of “Nneka the Pretty Serpent” can be seen in films like “Karashika,” “Sakobi,” “Izaga,” “Highway to the Grave” and“Witches.”
Just like “Nneka The Pretty Serpent,” subsequent films that drew inspiration from it ended the same way – a pastor conducts a deliverance session, destroys the demon and cleanses the victim.
The movie put the idea of a demon possessed character on the map in Nollywood.
“Nneka The Pretty Serpent” also starred talented actors like Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu, Rita Nzelu, Sam Loco, Kanayo O.Kanay, late James Iroha, Claude Eke and Nelly Uchendu.
What do you remember about “Nneka the Pretty Serpent?”
