The 2025 GTCO FSHN WKND proved once again why Lagos sits at the heart of Africa’s fashion conversation. Beyond the runway glamour and global designer showcases, the event captured the true spirit of the theme, Fashion is Freedom. It was a weekend when creativity flowed without limits, young people used clothing as their language, and small businesses found a platform big enough to amplify their dreams. GTCO FSHN WKND was more than just a fashion showcase; it was a bold statement and reminder that fashion is more than just fabric, it is freedom, as was seen by the fashion enthusiasts who attended, dressed in their interpretation of what fashion is.
In this issue, we highlight the designers at GTCO FSHN WKND 2025. Scroll to pages 8 to 10 for this. Kitten heels are the perfect balance between comfort and style, just the right mix of elegance and ease. They give just enough lift without the discomfort of high heels. And regardless of whether you are heading to work, a party or a casual outing, these beauties can give your outfit the right umph. This week, our fashion pages show you different ways to wear kitten heels and look stylish while doing it.
Our beauty page discusses hygiene habits that make your skincare routine truly work. Although many people focus on skincare products to get glowing, healthy skin, the truth is that skincare isn’t just about what you apply; your habits also affect the outcome of your products on your skin. Scroll to page 12 to learn more.
As usual, we have a playlist for you to download and movie reviews for you on page 16. Click on the instructions below the QR code to download the music.
Until next week, enjoy your read.
@onahluciaa +
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa
Writer: Johnson Chukwueke
Design & Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’
Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun
Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’
www.thewilldowntown.com
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm
- Contributing Writer
Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
Dorcas Akintoye @mila_dfa_ - Contributing Writer
Dorcas Akintoye is a dedicated writer with 5 years prolific experience in writing articles ranging from food, entertainment, fashion and beauty. She loves writing, listening to music and playing scrabble. She is a highly-skilled, enthusiastic, selfmotivated professional writer.
Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
- Contributing Writer
Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.
Ada Obiajunwa @aaddaahh
- Contributing Writer
Ada Obiajunwa writes from Lagos about the big truths tucked inside ordinary moments — friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. She believes in the power of presence, good banter, and decoding the unsaid. Through her fragrance studio, WhiffWonders, she also crafts scents that weave memory and emotion into experiences that feel like home.
KITTEN HEELS 5 WAYS TO WEAR
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
hen it comes to shoes that balance comfort and style, kitten heels are always a winner. They’re the perfect mix of elegance and ease, giving you just enough lift without the pain of high heels. Whether you’re heading to work, a party, or a casual outing, these low-heeled beauties can effortlessly elevate your outfit. The best part is that they come in so many styles: pointed, slingback, strappy, or even mules, making them suitable for different occasions. In this article, we will show you five easy and stylish ways to wear kitten heels and look puttogether every time.
Kitten heels instantly dress up a simple pair of jeans. Whether you go for skinny, straight, or baggy jeans, the small heel adds a touch of polish without overdoing it. For something trendier, pair colourful or printed kitten heels with ripped jeans and a basic tee. This combination gives off a relaxed yet stylish vibe that works well for brunch, shopping, or a casual date. PAIR THEM WITH JEANS
MATCH THEM WITH OFFICE WEAR
If you want a professional yet comfortable work shoe, kitten heels are perfect. They go beautifully with tailored trousers, pencil skirts, or midi dresses. Choose neutral shades like black, beige, or nude for a clean, corporate finish. They’re ideal for long office days because they look classy and still feel comfortable enough to walk around in.
COMBINE THEM WITH SKIRTS
From mini to maxi, skirts pair wonderfully with kitten heels. If you’re wearing a mini skirt, kitten heels add a bit of sophistication to balance the playful look. With a midi or pleated skirt, they help elongate your legs and make you look taller without needing high stilettos. A pencil skirt paired with slingback kitten heels is also an excellent option for semi-formal events or work settings.
STYLE THEM WITH DRESSES
Kitten heels and dresses are a match made in fashion heaven. Whether it’s a floral sundress, a wrap dress, or a midi gown, kitten heels bring out your feminine side without sacrificing comfort. This combination works perfectly for weddings, dates, and evening parties.
WEAR THEM WITH JUMPSUITS OR TWO-PIECE SETS
Kitten heels also look stunning with jumpsuits and co-ord sets. They add a stylish edge to your outfit without making it look too formal. For example, pair blockcoloured kitten heels with a floral jumpsuit for a fun, modern vibe. This look works great for events, dinner outings, or even casual Fridays at work.
Kitten heels prove that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. They’re versatile, elegant, and can fit almost any outfit or occasion. Whether you’re dressing up for work, keeping it casual, or stepping out for a special event, there’s always a way to make kitten heels work for you.
SALLY CHIWUZIE @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
UNTOLD TRUTHS WHEN THE ANSWER IS NO
There is a moment in every life when a prayer is whispered with absolute faith.
A plea for healing.
For mercy.
For a miracle.
For one more day with someone we love.
And there is a particular kind of silence that follows, the kind that holds your breath hostage while you wait for the universe to respond.
We are raised to believe that every prayer will be answered.
prematurely, there is no instruction manual for surviving the devastation.
No blueprint for grief.
No timetable for reconstruction.
The world around you continues in its casual rhythm: cars still drive, birds still sing, bills still need paying.
But inside, everything has collapsed. It is here, in the wreckage, that hope becomes a fragile thing.
Easy to misplace.
Easier still to abandon entirely.
Because when the answer is no, something inside you breaks — your plans, your expectations, your imagined futures.
Even your sense of safety. And sometimes, even your faith.
People will tell you to be strong, but they don’t realise that strength is not always heroic.
Sometimes, strength is simply getting out of bed.
Brushing your teeth.
Replying to one message.
Drinking one glass of water.
What we are not always prepared for is that sometimes the answer… is no.
It is a small word, but it can split a life cleanly into “before” and “after.”
A “no” that stops time.
A “no” that knocks the world off its axis.
A “no” that feels like betrayal — by fate, by God, by the very fabric of existence.
For those who have lost someone, especially
It is resurrection.
We often talk about survival as though it is a mechanical thing — a choice you simply make. But anyone who has ever grieved knows that survival is made of a thousand tiny rebellions: choosing hope even when nothing makes sense, choosing gratitude even when anger feels easier, choosing joy in small doses, choosing to believe that life still holds goodness… somewhere. Because the truth — the untold truth — is that a “no” from God or from fate is not always cruelty. Sometimes it is mystery. Sometimes it is protection. Sometimes it is timing. And sometimes, painful as it is, it is simply life being life.
Remembering to breathe.
Loss has a way of reshaping the world — slowly, relentlessly, without permission.
Colours lose their brightness.
Music loses its meaning.
Days lose their flavour.
Love loses its guarantees. And yet, hidden in the quiet rubble of heartbreak, something else takes place — something small but astonishing.
The world does not stop. And miraculously, neither do you.
This is the part grief never warns you about:
We are not meant to understand everything.
But we are meant to keep going. There is a quiet kind of faith that grows in people who’ve heard “no” and lived through it.
Continuing is an act of courage. Waking up again is brave. Finding moments of softness again is brave.
Laughing genuinely and unexpectedly again is brave.
And loving again?
That may be the bravest thing of all.
To open your heart after it has been split open, to trust a universe, a system, a world that has already disappointed you, to let beauty touch you again after devastation — that is not forgetfulness. It is not weakness.
A deeper understanding.
A richer compassion.
A tenderness for others who carry invisible losses.
A knowing that suffering changes us, but not always for the worse. Because when the answer is no, something else begins— not immediately, not neatly, not miraculously, but inevitably.
A tiny “yes.”
A new beginning disguised as ordinary days.
A sunrise you didn’t expect to matter.
A person whose presence softens the ache.
A moment of laughter you didn’t see coming.
A reason, however small, to stay one more day. And this is perhaps the #Unshakable truth: Everything will be okay in the end.
And if it is not okay, then this — this painful, confusing, unrecognisable chapter is not the end.
Carry on.
Not because you don’t hurt.
But because you deserve to see what happens after the no.
‘See’ you next week.
GTCO FSHN WKND 2025
The GTCO FSHN WKND 2025 took over the GT Centre, Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos, on November 8–9, delivering two unforgettable days of fashion, creativity, and culture. Now in its 8th edition, the event, themed “Fashion is Freedom,” once again reaffirmed its place as one of Africa’s most anticipated fashion gatherings.
This year’s edition brought together an impressive mix of global fashion leaders, style enthusiasts, and hundreds of indigenous small businesses eager to connect, learn, and grow. From masterclasses led by renowned industry experts to an immersive retail experience that gave local brands a global spotlight, the weekend celebrated the very essence of fashion as a tool of self-expression and enterprise.
More than a fashion showcase, GTCO FSHN WKND 2025 became a statement, a bold reminder that in Lagos, fashion is more than fabric; it’s freedom, identity, and community.
Let’s look at some highlights from the runway.
Ituen Basi
The fashion house founded by Ituen Bassey has promoted Nigeria's culture and heritage by working with quintessential Nigerian fabrics such as Ankara and aso-oke.
Mmuso Maxwell
Founded by South African duo Mmuso Potsane and Maxwell Boko, Mmuso Maxwell blends sharp tailoring with minimalist design.
Imane
Ayissi
A Cameroonianborn designer and former dancer, Imane Ayissi moved to Paris and launched his haute couture label in 2004. Zendaya and Angela Bassett have worn his designs.
Patrick McDowell
Patrick McDowell is the founder and creative director of his eponymous London-based label, known for redefining luxury fashion by blending creativity, innovation, and circular design.
The Bam Collective
The brand, known for its bold colours and inclusive approach to luxury fashion, was launched after Bam was a finalist at the SA Fashion Week New Talent Search.
belief completion number seven, symbolising perfection, which inspires its name and philosophy.
Stella Jean Stella Jean founded her eponymous Italian fashion label in known for blending Italian tailoring with Afro-Caribbean textiles and cultural influences.
OBIAJUNWA
@aaddaahh
THE MINISTRY OF CONTROL
Welcome to the Ministry of Control, where everyone is a member and no one is in charge. Adulthood is that scam nobody explained properly. You think you are running your life, but your life is watching you make PowerPoint slides about plans it has already deleted. You schedule, pray, visualise, even buy planners, and Lagos just looks at you and says, "That's cute."
Control in this city is like Wi-Fi on a rainy day. You think you have it until you refresh. You plan your route and still end up stuck at the Lekki Ikoyi toll, staring at brake lights like it is a concert. You leave early and still arrive late. You leave late and somehow meet the person who left early. Lagos does not follow logic. It follows vibes. And before the "if you just plan better" people start talking, it is not always about that. Ask Londoners who plan around the Tube only for half the trains to stop running at rush hour. Ask New Yorkers whose subways stall mid-tunnel.
It is the same story everywhere. Life laughs in every language.
But we love control because it makes us feel safe. It tricks us into thinking order equals peace. We colour-code our calendars, say affirmations, and hold private meetings with ourselves. Because the opposite of control, uncertainty, feels too wild. Too human. Work does not help. You start the day with good intentions. One quick call becomes a three-hour meeting that could have been an email. By 5 p.m., your to-do list is still untouched, and your peace has sent in its ADA
resignation letter. Even emotions have their own plan. You promise not to overreact and will not send that text. Ten minutes later, you have typed, deleted, retyped, and sent it again. Then you blame your zodiac sign.
And then Lagos comes back to test your surrender.
The street hums like
it always does. Generators. Laughter. Someone grilling suya like it is not 10:30 p.m. You finally decide to rest, light a candle, play a little Asa, and breathe.
Then the estate group chat lights up. "Quick generator test in five minutes."
The lights go off. You grab your fan as backup, already sweating. Five minutes pass. Nothing. From the gatehouse, someone shouts, "Try am again!"
You know what that means. The generator has refused to come on.
Now the air is thick, the candle is fighting for relevance, and your calm has gone on strike. Somewhere nearby, laughter breaks out. You smile helplessly because what else can you do?
It is the universe reminding you that peace here often needs project management.
Control feels powerful until it breaks. Then you realise it was never power, just illusion. We do not control as much as we think. We control our playlists, not our moods. Our diets, not our appetite for chaos. Our calendars, not the interruptions.
Adulthood will humble you. You plan to handle things better, and life whispers, "Noted." You set boundaries, and people cross them wearing good intentions. You hold everything together until you realise "together" is a flexible term.
Even in the creation story, disruption followed intention. When God said, "Let there be light," darkness did not vanish immediately. Both existed until He separated them. That middle space between the speaking and the seeing was where order began.
It is the same with us. The moment you set an intention, life starts its renovation. You decide to rest, and your phone will not stop ringing. You decide to heal, and old wounds resurface. Growth, like renovation, always looks chaotic halfway through.
So if disruption follows your good intentions, do not call it bad luck. It is proof that something real is shifting. Even creation had a messy middle.
Maybe peace works the same way. It does not show up because life is perfect. It shows up because you keep going while the paint is still drying.
The candle burns low. The air smells of diesel and determination. You glance at your phone, see ten unread messages, and decide they can wait.
Because in Lagos, peace does not come softly. It comes like a test run. Sometimes it sputters. Sometimes it shines. But when it finally holds steady, even for a moment, you sit in it. Grateful. Amused. Still.
Only in Lagos does chaos come with a chorus. And you whisper, half to the night, half to yourself, "Peace may delay, but it will still find light. Even if it needs a generator first."
Maybe that is the real Luxury Silk.
BEAUTY
5 HYGIENE HABITS THAT MAKE YOUR TRULY WORK SKINCARE ROUTINE
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
When it comes to glowing, healthy skin, many people focus only on skincare products. But the truth is, skincare isn’t just about what you apply; it’s also about how clean your habits are. You can have the best skincare products in the world, but if your hygiene is poor, your skin won’t flourish the way it should. Hygiene and skincare go hand-in-hand. In this article, we will show you five simple but powerful hygiene habits that will help your skincare routine truly work.
ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR FACE
This sounds basic, but it’s one of the biggest skincare mistakes people make daily. We touch so many things during the day, our phones, door handles, keyboards, and money, all of which carry bacteria and dirt. When you touch your face or apply skincare with unwashed hands, you transfer those germs directly to your skin. This can cause clogged pores, acne, and irritation, no matter how expensive your skincare products are.
CHANGE YOUR PILLOWCASES AND TOWELS REGULARLY
Your pillowcase might look clean, but it collects oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and product residue every night. When you lay your face on it repeatedly, you’re pressing all that dirt back into your skin. The same goes for your face towel; using a dirty one can undo all the effort you put into cleansing. To prevent this, change your pillowcase at least once a week, and your face towel every 2 to 3 days. If possible, use a separate towel for your face only. This small hygiene habit keeps your skin cleaner, reduces breakouts, and helps your products absorb better.
KEEP YOUR SKINCARE TOOLS AND MAKEUP BRUSHES CLEAN
Whether it’s your facial roller, gua sha, makeup brushes, or beauty blender, these tools come into direct contact with your skin and can easily accumulate dirt and bacteria. If you don’t clean them regularly, you’re just reapplying germs to your skin, which can cause pimples, infections, and irritation. Make it a habit to wash your brushes and tools at least once a week using mild soap or brush cleanser.
AVOLD SHARING SKINCARE AND MAKEUP PRODUCTS
Sharing might seem harmless, especially with friends or siblings, but it’s a habit that can harm your skin. Everyone’s skin has its own bacteria, and when you share skincare or makeup, you transfer those germs from one person to another. This can cause acne, rashes, or even infections or cold sores. Keep your skincare and makeup personal. If someone needs to use your product, pour a small amount into their hand instead of letting them dip into yours.
STORE YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS PROPERLY
How you store your skincare products matters more than most people realise. Leaving products open, exposed to sunlight, or in a hot, humid bathroom can cause them to lose their effectiveness or even grow bacteria. Using contaminated products can lead to irritation or breakouts, the exact opposite of what you want. Always close your skincare containers tightly after use. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Good skincare isn’t just about what you apply to your face; it’s also about the little habits behind the scenes. Clean hands, clean tools, and clean surroundings all work together to give your products a fair chance to shine. When you pair great hygiene with a consistent skincare routine, your skin will not only look better but also stay healthier for longer.
SAGITTARIUS SEASON
Freedom, Fire, and Fearless Energy
NOVEMBER 22ND - DECEMBER 21ST
ELEMENT: FIRE
RULING PLANET: JUPITER
SYMBOL: THE ARCHER FLOWER: CARNATION AND DANDELION
BIRTHSTONES: TURQUOISE
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Born between November 22 and December 21, Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck, abundance, and expansion. Sagittarians move through life with a vibrant spirit, always reaching, always learning. They are the travellers, the storytellers, the truth-seekers, and the philosophers of the zodiac.
If you’ve ever befriended a Sagittarius, you know the feeling: one moment you’re having lunch, the next you’re talking travel, life purpose, or booking an impulsive getaway. With them, even an ordinary day feels like an open road.
Here are some defining traits that make Sagittarius the sign everyone needs in their circle.
Limitless Curiosity And Love For Adventure
Sagittarians don’t just explore, they roam. Their curiosity pushes them to try new foods, learn new skills, meet new people, and take on experiences most would hesitate to try. Whether it’s backpacking across continents or diving into a completely new passion project, Sagittarius thrives on discovery. Being around them pulls you out of your comfort zone and reminds you that the world is much bigger than your routine.
Bold, Unfiltered Honesty
A Sagittarius will never leave you guessing. They say what they feel with a level of sincerity that’s
Niniola, December 15
rare. Their honesty can be startling, but it’s never malicious. They believe truth is a form of respect, and they’d rather be real than polite. This authenticity makes them incredible friends and partners.
Infectious Optimism And Big-Dream Energy
Sagittarians radiate hope. They believe good things can happen and often inspire others to think the same. Their optimism isn’t blind; it’s rooted in resilience and faith that life opens up when you do. When everyone else sees obstacles, Sagittarius sees potential.
Sagittarius teaches us to live freely, speak boldly, and chase the horizons calling our names. Their fire reminds us that joy is an adventure, and life is too short to play small.
Jaleel White, November 27
Don Jazzy, November 26
THE SCENE DOWNTOWN
LAGOS COCKTAIL WEEK 2025
Lit Up The City
Lagos served flavour, flair, and full-on lifestyle energy as the 11th edition of Lagos Cocktail Week (LCW) returned, transforming the city into a playground of mixology, creativity, and culture. What began as a niche celebration of cocktails has evolved into one of West Africa’s standout lifestyle events, and 2025’s edition proved why.
The festivities opened with a refined Rosasina and Lagos Cocktail Week cocktail-pairing dinner, setting the tone for a week filled with bold flavours and stylish experiences. The Food & Beverage Industry Mixer followed, bringing chefs, mixologists, and tastemakers together for an inspiring night of connection.
Guests also enjoyed the Gin Mare Bar Takeover, which offered a Mediterranean spin on cocktails and dining, while the Lagos Cocktail Week Seminar sparked conversations on hospitality and innovation, led by industry leaders.
The grand finale, The Cocktail Village, delivered two nights of music, games, networking, and endless cocktails, capped with the ever-energetic Bar Battle.
Lagos truly drank, danced, and celebrated in style.
Nana Milagrosa
Uti Nwachukwu - Lara Rawa - Bukola Oyedokun
Lanre Da Silva, Lara Rawa, Femi Da Silva
Sam Douglas
Hanni X Wandi
Daala Oruwari
Uti Nwachukwu
Reta Riman
Bisoye Olorunnimbe, Kayat Muri Okunola
Feesa Everyday
Attendee at LCW
Lara Rawa and Lagos State Commissioner for TourismMrs Toke Benson
Bisola Dejonwo & Elohor Isiorho
Mai Atafo
Attendee
cassy’s chronicles
BURNING DESIRE
Iended the call and just sat there on my bed, staring into the darkness of my room. Talking to him always left me with mixed feelings. I liked him more than I should, but he never seemed to notice. Or maybe he noticed and just pretended not to.
The worst part was that he was so comfortable with me, so free. He talked like we were just friends. Just friends. Meanwhile, my body always reacted to him as if he owned the air inside me.
Everything he said kept replaying in my head. His laugh. His voice. The little teasing he did without knowing what it did to me. My chest felt tight. My stomach felt warm. And between my legs… I could feel that slow throb I’d been trying to ignore.
I stretched on my bed and exhaled. I couldn’t even sleep. My mind was loud. My body was louder. I pressed my thighs together, trying to stop the heat, but that only made it worse. My nipples were already hard; I could feel them brushing against my top. My breath kept coming out in small, shaky bits.
I knew what was wrong with me. I was horny. That kind that makes you restless, makes you move your body on the bed for no reason, makes you touch your lips and bite them, makes you think of every little thing that man has ever done that turned you on. I dragged my fingers down my stomach and stopped just at the band of my shorts. I shouldn’t.
I knew I shouldn’t. But I also knew I had that toy somewhere in my drawer. I hadn’t touched it in a long time, but tonight… tonight was different.
I reached for it.
The moment I turned it on, that soft vibrating sound filled my room. My heart jumped. I pushed my shorts down and touched myself first, slowly, just to feel how wet I already was. My fingers slid easily. Too easily.
I placed the toy on my clit, and my whole body jerked.
“Oh My God,” I whispered into the darkness.
My hips lifted on their own. I pressed it harder. My breath got messy. My legs shook. I kept imagining his hands instead, his mouth, his body pinning me down. I whispered his name before I could stop myself.
In minutes, I came hard, arching into my sheets, gripping the pillow like it was him. But instead of feeling fulfilled, I felt empty. Hungry. Like I had just woken something
phone buzzed.
It was Andrew.
“I’m in your area. Are you awake? Can I stop by?”
My stomach flipped. Of all nights.
My heart jumped. Andrew had been asking me out for months. He wasn’t random. He wasn’t someone I didn’t know. He was kind, patient, respectful… and I liked him, just not the way I liked the other guy.
Normally, I would have said no.
But that night… I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts, and my body was still humming from the inside out.
You can come, I replied.
When he walked into my room, the air changed. He always smelled good. He hugged me, and the hug lingered a little. My body reacted immediately, and it scared me how fast everything was happening
We talked for a bit, but I wasn’t even hearing half of what he was saying. His lips kept distracting me. His hands. The way his eyes rested on me as if he was studying
Then I noticed how close he was sitting. How his arm brushed mine. How his eyes moved from my mouth to my chest and
He leaned in. I didn’t stop him.
The first kiss was slow, questioning. The second was hungry. By the third, I was already on his lap, grinding against him like my body had been waiting for this moment since daybreak.
His hands slid under my top and grabbed my breasts, squeezing them like he’d imagined doing it before. I gasped into his mouth. He slid his hand down my shorts and groaned when he felt how wet I was.
“Who did this to you?” he whispered.
“You,” I breathed. He pushed me back on the bed, pulled my shorts off, and kissed his way down. When his mouth reached me, I grabbed his head and nearly cried from relief. His tongue moved slowly at first, then deeper, faster, until my legs were shaking around his shoulders.
When he finally entered me, I moaned so loud that he covered my mouth with his hand. I wrapped my legs around him as he thrust into me. My nails dragged down his back. His breath was hot on my neck. Everything was heat and skin and release. And as I came again, much harder than I did with the toy, I realised I wasn’t just hungry.
I’d been starving.
And now… everything was about to get even more complicated.
BY BOLUWATIFE
ADESINA
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
Serpentine plotting is an essential part of the Now You See Me franchise, but this time the writers have really raised the bar. I was relieved to learn that one of the films’ stars, Jesse Eisenberg, has confessed that even he had a struggle to make sense of one of this instalment’s wilder convolutions.
Not that making sense has ever been a priority here. It’s all about smoke and mirrors and filling the screen with a non-stop parade of stunts hyped to the point of ultimate distraction.
It’s been 10 years since the last film in the series, but the formula hasn’t changed. After a long break, the Horsemen, a popular team of stage illusionists, are mounting a comeback, touring the world with their show while employing their magic to catch international criminals. The bigger the crime and the richer the perpetrator, the better they like it. The only difference this time is the size of the cast. The original team has been joined by three juniors, recruited by the Eye, the mysterious agency which assigns the Horsemen’s cases. It also orchestrated the group’s reunion. When the action begins, Eisenberg’s Daniel Atlas is still grumbling over past disagreements which stem from the fact that the others decided to give up the game when he wanted to go on.
In their sights this time is Rosamund Pike, expertly putting on an Afrikaans accent as Veronika Vanderberg, the imperious head of a family of corrupt diamond miners. The Vanderbergs use the gems to launder the proceeds of their dirty dealings
with drug smugglers and arms runners, and the Horsemen are out to redistribute some of their wealth by stealing their fabled gem, the Heart Diamond.
Once again, glamour and globetrotting are key ingredients. We start in New York, where Atlas becomes acquainted with the newbies – Charlie (Justice Smith), June (Ariana Greenblatt) and Bosco (Dominic Sessa), who’s almost as brash and egotistical as Atlas himself. And they’re soon joined by Henley (Isla Fisher), cJack (Dave Franco) and Woody Harrelson, who’s still in charge of light relief as Merritt McKinney, the genial hypnotist.
Next stop is a chateaû in the French countryside where Morgan Freeman makes a brief appearance as Thaddeus, their contact from the Eye. Then it’s on to Dubai and a major display of glitz as Veronika and her entourage prepare to show off the company’s new racing car. Naturally enough, one of the Horsemen succeeds in appropriating it for a dizzying chase through the city streets.
It takes a very light touch to bring off this sort of thing, and the director, Ruben Fleischer, hasn’t managed it. Nor have his writers. A vital clue lies in the fact that it took a gang of them to whip the script into its final form, and the dialogue still lacks the necessary spark. There’s some predictable banter arranged around the rivalry between the team’s two generations, but it’s such a big cast that nobody gets a chance to shine.
Maybe it’s having to concentrate on the accent, but Pike, who has a deft way with comedy in the right circumstances, can’t seem to find a rhythm for Veronika’s highly theatrical brand of outrageousness, and Fisher’s role is so underwritten that she melts into the crowd.
The only one to make me laugh was Lizzy Caplan, who shows up regrettably late in the day. She delivers her few lines with a breezy irreverence that instantly lifts the mood. If only we saw more of her.
Rating: 5.5/10
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The Chair Company, the new comedy series from Tim Robinson (Friendship, I Think You Should Leave), is surprisingly shaking out to be one of the year’s best thriller shows.
Robinson stars in the series as Ron Trosper, a husband, father, and recently promoted project manager who suffers a very embarrassing but minor workplace accident.
Those present laughed about the incident involving a chair before moving on with their lives.
Ron can’t let it go, however, and becomes fixated with finding out how something like this could happen to him.
While initially it seems like just an unhealthy obsession, the more the project manager investigates the cause of the accident, the more irregularities he discovers.
As this personal detective work
deepens, it isn’t long before Ron starts receiving mysterious cryptic threats.
Like in Friendship and I Think You Should Leave, Robinson rarely delivers a line conventionally, often shouting them, whispering them or delivering them with a hysterically bewildered expression.
Also akin to his previous projects, The Chair Company is heavy on a type of surreal, cringe comedy that will provoke an equal dose of both laughter and anxiety.
Yet, if you are on the wavelength of Robinson’s latest project, you are rewarded with an extremely timely show about digital paranoia and society’s obsession with conspiracy theories.
Plus, while you may start watching The Chair Company for its absurd humour, as the series continues, you do become gripped by its unconventional mystery-thriller plot and the increasingly bizarre ways it unfolds.
