Nollywood’s appetite for socially charged thrillers appears stronger than ever, as Red Circle joins the year’s box office elite after crossing the ₦100 million mark just three weeks into its theatrical run.

The political thriller, directed by Akay Mason and co-written by Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, officially passed the milestone by the close of its third weekend in cinemas. According to data from the Nigerian box office, the film has grossed a cumulative ₦101.8 million as of late June. It had earned ₦93.8 million by June 27, confirming robust ticket sales since its debut on June 7.

Red Circle opened with a strong weekend performance of ₦33.8 million, an impressive showing for any new Nollywood title—and a standout achievement for its debut producer, Nora Awolowo. Within its first two weeks, the film collected ₦74.5 million and maintained a steady hold among the most-watched titles in Nigerian cinemas during mid-June.

The project represents a significant milestone for Awolowo, marking her transition from acclaimed cinematographer and documentary filmmaker to feature film producer. Released under the Rixel Studios banner, Red Circle is her first feature-length production—a bold, ambitious move that is paying off both critically and commercially.

Nora Awolowo, 26, has long been recognised for her sharp storytelling eye. A self-taught director with a degree in accounting from Ekiti State University, she built her reputation through documentary and commercial work. Notably, her 2019 documentary Life at the Bay was selected for the Africa International Film Festival. She has since directed multiple short films, helmed commercials for major Nigerian brands, and was nominated for the Future Awards Africa Prize for Film in 2022. Her growing résumé includes campaign work for international brands such as Zalando and collaborations with creatives tied to HBO’s Insecure.

But Red Circle represents her most ambitious—and now most successful—project yet.

The film itself centres on the gripping story of Fikayo Holloway, played by Folu Storms, an intrepid investigative journalist in Lagos who uncovers a deep-seated corruption network tied to money laundering and murder. Her dogged pursuit of the truth puts her—and those she loves—in grave danger, offering audiences a high-stakes narrative that blends suspense with sharp social commentary.

Supporting Storms is a heavyweight cast of Nollywood talent, including Bukky Wright, Timini Egbuson, Tobi Bakre, Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Branch, Omowunmi Dada, Mike Afolarin, Debo “Mr. Macaroni” Adebayo, and rapper-turned-actor Ruggedman.

Critics and audiences alike have praised Red Circle not only for its commercial appeal but also for its willingness to tackle weighty themes of corruption and power. Its success points to a growing market for Nigerian films that merge entertainment with social relevance—particularly those driven by new voices and women producers.

As Red Circle continues its theatrical run, its strong box office momentum underscores both Awolowo’s emergence as a formidable force in Nollywood and the evolving tastes of Nigerian cinema-goers eager to support sophisticated, homegrown stories on the big screen.