• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

Jonathan Fuge is a writer and editor at MovieWeb. A Film Studies graduate and all-round movie lover, he has written for a variety of different entertainment websites before finding a home at MovieWeb. A low-budget action thriller that works as an ideal 80s throwback has now hit theaters in the United States...and you've definitely never heard of it. Boasting all the ingredients necessary for a gloriously no-nonsense action tale of violence and revenge, the project has quietly become something of a success story since featuring at several festivals last year, with the under-the-radar action flick now expected to greatly increase its profile (and hopefully fanbase) after hitting select theaters in North America. Directed by Chee Keong Cheung, the action thriller in question is Son of the Soil, which stars Razaaq Adoti (Black Hawk Down, Amistad) in what could quickly become a breakout leading role as a former soldier who returns home with a mission of revenge after his sister is murdered. Described as "rough and ready," Son of the Soil is produced by Action Xtreme, Sovereign Films, and Boxonia Blueprint, with Nile Entertainment and Aloha Releasing handling distribution. The action thriller also stars Patience Ozokwo (Old School), Ireti Doyle (The Arbitration) and Taye Arimoro (Gangs of Lagos), Sunshine Rosman (To Kill a Monkey), Damilola Ogunsi (Gangs of Lagos), Emeka Golden (Evi) and Sharon Rotimi (The Wives), and newcomer Ijelu Folajimi. As well as a U.S. theatrical release, Son of the Soil is also available to stream on Netflix in some territories. You can check out the official synopsis for Son of the Soil below... Nigerian soldier Zion Ladejo, haunted by his past, returns home after his sister's tragic death. Determined to uncover those responsible, he embarks on a vengeful path, while seeking redemption for his own actions. The reviews and reactions that have emerged have praised Son of the Soil's throwback sensibilities, with anygoodfilms.com saying, "Forget characterization this is rough and ready low budget action film making and has an undoubted appeal for genre fans." The Guardian, meanwhile, called Son of the Soil a "scrappy gangland action romp, mixing Nollywood energy with bloody set pieces and a dash of 80s-style grit." While some reviews have been more critical, with What Kept Me Up questioning the voyeuristic depiction of violence, with NYC Movie Guru calling the movie "clunky," the former still hailed the action thriller for its "propulsion" as it "batters and stings at every turn with punches landing, guns blazing and cutlasses swinging." While the latter declared Son of the Soil a "visually stylish and gritty white-knuckle action thriller." A collaboration between the UK and Nigeria, Son of the Soil is expected to be a major win for Nollywood, with the action outing having already been awarded three Black Star International Film Festival awards for Best Film, Director, and International Showcase, and was selected for the 34th Pan-African Film Festival (PAFF). Quiz 5 Questions Test Your Grit: Son of the Soil Action Quiz Your Top Score -- Attempts -- Start Quiz 0 0 Report Error Found an error? Send it info@movieweb.com so it can be corrected. "The U.S. theatrical release is another huge milestone for Son of the Soil," director Chee Keong Cheung said of the release. "We've always believed this story could travel globally, and it's exciting to be able to bring it to American cinemas after such a strong festival journey. I'm honoured and grateful to the entire cast and crew who helped make this film possible and excited to be working with Nile Entertainment and Aloha Releasing." Source: https://movieweb.com/son-of-the-soil-us-theater-release/