- Safiu Kehinde
The just released Netflix original series, The Herd, has been received with mixed reactions as controversies trailed the plot and timing of the movie release.
This is coming amidst growing tensions over insurgency across Nigeria.
Netflix announced the release of the movie in a post on its official X handle on Friday.
Attached to the post was a trailer of the movie which showed moment a gang of armed herders who had barricaded the road with the cattle opened fire and forced trapped motorists out of their vehicles.
Prior to the herders’ attack, a newly married couple were seen listening to a romantic song with their driver beaming with smile until the gunmen struck.
“One minute they’re celebrating love, the next they’re fighting for their lives. The Herd is now playing on Netflix.” The caption of the video read.
This had sparked mixed reactions from members of public netizens with some slamming the streaming platform for being insensitive while others called for the removal of the movie.
However, some netizens held that the movie reflected the current situation of Nigeria.
“Netflix please take it down. This is stereotyping a tribe in Nigeria. And facing a serious insecurity problems. But your refusal means I’m living your platform.”@Ibrahim Abdullah
“The timing of this isn’t right.”@KneWKeeD
“It’s only Fulani and Islam that you disrespect so much right. Very soon this movie will be removed from Netflix.”@Fulani_Tutor
“Nigeria is the only country where citizens get angry when the media shows the evil and corruption happening here. Americans still make 9/11 movies till today, but here we try to cover up for politicians. Nigerian politicians must be over the moon for inheriting citizens like us.”@Investorchim_a
“When America was facing deep terrorism, that was when an American produced a movie called 24 The series showed many conspiracy theories and how American President was involved Their government didn’t go after the movie and the producers Why are Nigerians crying over a movie?”@Usmanashafe
“This movie is very timely and bold. The Herd isn’t just a thriller, it’s a powerful statement on real Nigerian realities. But let’s also talk about the little children with Iya Rainbow at different locations. While everyone is focused on the terrorists and the chaos, those children are victims too, being groomed into negotiators. That part broke me. I’m honestly traumatized, and my heart is heavy.”@_MayowaSam
“I like the attention to detail here, the NYSC corper, the use of a cow as a distraction, the way everything escalated from 0 to 100 real quick. The only thing missing is behe@ding of humans and chanting in arabic.”@Royal_Citizens
“Why keep painting one group as the villain when banditry affects the whole country? Where’s the real story? Netflix should be banned”@hananhamzaa
“Watching The Herd hits differently when you think about what’s happening here in Nigeria one minute people are trying to live, love, and mind their business, the next minute they’re battling insecurity, uncertainty, and survival. This movie isn’t just entertainment. it mirrors the reality many Nigerians face daily. Netflix really touched a nerve with this one.”@001Xtasy
“For me the movie is an amazing movie and need at such a time with why we are experiencing in the county now. Fact is not all fulanis are terrorist or bandit Not all Hausas are terrorist or bandit But it still doesn’t change the fact that people from the both mentioned tribe are involved in this and those who are not involved should help in fight and not allow the next generation head the same line.”@CityBoyABJ