Tobi Makinde has released his latest film, D.E.A.D, a psychological thriller that explores the fragile boundaries between mental illness, justice and manipulation.
The film follows Tony Dada, a man who wakes up after blanking out for several minutes to discover the bloodied body of Chisom, a woman he claims is his wife, lying on the floor of their living room.
Tony immediately calls the police, but his decision to report the incident quickly turns against him as he is taken into custody for questioning.
During his interrogation, Tony maintains that he never harmed Chisom, despite admitting that their relationship was deeply troubled and that she was abusive towards him. His account is emotional, detailed and disturbingly convincing, leaving investigators uncertain about whether they are dealing with a grieving husband, a calculated murderer or a man struggling with a serious psychological condition.
As Detective Badmus and psychiatrist Doctor Amina begin investigating Tony’s story, however, inconsistencies start to emerge.
Detective Badmus discovers that Tony has lied about several aspects of his life. There is no record of a marriage between Tony and Chisom. There are no wedding photographs, no witnesses and no evidence that the two were ever connected.
Meanwhile, Doctor Amina begins to observe Tony’s behaviour and diagnoses him with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D), a diagnosis Detective Badmus strongly challenges. Convinced that Tony may be using a mental health diagnosis to divert attention from Chisom’s murder, Badmus refuses to accept the possibility that the case is as straightforward as it appears.
The situation takes a darker turn when Tony’s condition appears to worsen and he nearly harms the Deputy Superintendent. Following the incident, a court injunction is granted to transfer him to a psychiatric facility, much to Detective Badmus’s frustration.
But as the investigation continues, the case takes a shocking turn.
What initially appears to be the story of a mentally unstable man accused of murder gradually reveals a much more complex conspiracy involving a decades-old wrongful conviction, a dead identical twin and a witness carrying a secret of her own.
At the centre of it all is a long-buried injustice connected to the death of Tony’s twin brother, who was accused of murdering a police officer during the police brutality protests. As the truth surrounding the past begins to surface, the lines between victim and perpetrator become increasingly blurred.
D.E.A.D ultimately asks a disturbing question: what happens when a person learns to weaponise the very system designed to protect them?
The film explores themes of mental health, trauma, justice, police brutality, guilt and the consequences of remaining silent in the face of injustice.
Tobi Makinde’s latest project is a tense psychological thriller built around deception and perception, challenging audiences to question what they believe and how easily the truth can be manipulated.
With its layered narrative and unpredictable twists, D.E.A.D invites viewers to look beyond the surface of a seemingly straightforward murder investigation and confront the consequences of unresolved injustice.
D.E.A.D is now available on YouTube at Tobi Makinde TV for audiences to watch.
About Tobi Makinde
Tobi Makinde is a Nigerian filmmaker and creative professional known for his work across the Nigerian entertainment industry. Through his projects, he continues to explore stories that engage audiences while addressing complex themes and contemporary social issues.
