Movie: The Waiter
Director: Toka McBaror
Starring: Ayo Makun, Bucci Franklin, Deyemi Okanlawon, Shaffy Bello, Regina Daniels
Genre: Action-Comedy
Release Date (Cinemas): December 20, 2024
Netflix Debut: September 12, 2025
Nollywood’s comedy king, Ayo Makun, is back on the big screen and now on our small screens with his latest offering, The Waiter. Originally a December 2024 cinematic release, the film has now made its way to Netflix, where it’s already making waves in the Nollywood action-comedy scene. But does this film serve up something new, or is it just another dish from the same tired menu?
The Waiter follows Akpos, a clumsy yet “Warri!”-spirited caterer, who finds himself in the middle of a high-stakes hostage situation at the Crystal Hotel. A disgruntled ex-soldier, Tonye Bright (performed by Bucci Franklin), takes a government minister and her colleagues hostage during a press conference for a “Poverty Alleviation” scheme. His plan? To seize the funds and distribute them to the masses. Akpos, ever the showman, finds himself in a series of chaotic misadventures as he bumbles his way through the crisis.
The film, directed by Toka McBaror, attempts a tricky balancing act between high-octane action and slapstick comedy. On one hand, you have the genuinely tense hostage scenario led by Bucci Franklin, whose sharp dialogue about corruption and systemic poverty adds a layer of depth that hints at a more serious thriller.
On the other hand, you have the typical Akpos antics, which, for better or worse, are exactly what fans expect from an Ayo Makun. He’s loud, brash, and seems to possess a superhuman ability to defeat armed goons with little more than bravado and luck. While some of these scenes are undeniably funny, they often feel disconnected from the central plot. Akpos and Tonye’s narratives exist in parallel, rarely intersecting in a meaningful way, which leaves the film feeling disjointed.
The Twist
Just when the film begins to teeter into predictability, it pulls off a genuinely surprising and effective twist: Tonye Bright’s partner is revealed to be none other than the assistant to Minister Sanni (played by Shaffy Bello) a quiet, observant character whose presence up to that point seemed purely administrative.
The Performance and Evolution of a Craftsman
There’s a powerful and engaging story to be found in the performances.
Despite its flaws, the film has moments of promise. The cinematography is slick, and the action sequences are surprisingly well-choreographed. The ensemble cast, featuring Deyemi Okanlawon, Shaffy Bello, and Regina Daniels, adds to the star power, even if some of their characters feel underutilized.
For fans of AY’s previous films like 30 Days in Atlanta and Merry Men, The Waiter will likely be a satisfying watch. It delivers the signature brand of humor and a familiar hero in Akpos. However, if you’re looking for a tight, cohesive narrative or a genre-bending masterpiece, you might want to adjust your expectations. While it might have been a hit at the cinema, and on Netflix, The Waiter is an entertaining but ultimately flawed ride, a cinematic equivalent of a plate with a little bit of everything, but not enough of one thing to make it truly memorable.
