Thinline was produced by Mercy Aigbe, a Nigerian actress, and was released in cinemas last December. I didn’t watch it then, but now it has been released online where everyone can watch it. When the producer announced on her Instagram page that it would be available, I was so happy because movies released in cinemas are always seen as high-quality productions.
The movie tells the story of a young and popular pastor, Pastor Raymond, who is mightily used by God. He is also a relationship coach who talks about love and marriage online. He is married to Pastor Mrs. Damilola Raymond, a beautiful woman. They have a lovely marriage, though they are yet to have a child, but their love for each other is still strong.
Then there’s another character, Anabel Coker. She’s a prostitute, but not just that,she’s also a thief. Whenever a man picks her up, she drugs him and steals his money. Her madam has warned her several times because men often come back to report her, but Anabel refuses to listen.
One day, Pastor Raymond goes on a trip and stays at a hotel. Coincidentally, Anabel also travels and lodges in the same hotel. She greets the pastor through one of his friends, who introduces her to him, not knowing she has a bad plan in mind. The next day, while Pastor Raymond and his friend are sitting in the hotel reception, Anabel walks up to them. The pastor’s friend excuses himself to get something, and Pastor Raymond also steps away to take a phone call. While he’s away, Anabel quickly puts drugs in his drink.
When they all return, they continue talking, and Pastor Raymond unknowingly drinks the drugged drink. Feeling dizzy, he excuses himself to rest in his room. Anabel follows him. Before he could ask what she was doing there, he becomes weak and falls asleep. She takes advantage of him sexually and records everything.
When Pastor Raymond wakes up and realizes what happened, he weeps bitterly and asks God for forgiveness but still feels guilty. He returns home, and his wife welcomes him warmly, but he is not himself. She keeps asking what’s wrong, but he says nothing.
The next day, Anabel sends him the video and pictures, asking him to call her. I forgot to mention that,when she first harassed him, he gave her money to keep quiet, but now she wants more. She sends him her address, and when the pastor visits, she demands ten million naira and sex or she will release the video. He refuses at first, but she threatens again, and he ends up sleeping with her and paying the money.
Even after that, Anabel doesn’t stop blackmailing him. The pressure becomes too much, and Pastor Raymond finally confesses everything to his wife. She cries but later forgives him.
The next day, news breaks that Anabel has been found dead. Everyone connected to her, including her madam, her friend from the brothel, and Pastor Raymond, are arrested because his number was found in her call log.
The police begin their investigation but find no clue. One day, when the police visit Pastor Raymond’s home to question his wife, they notice a framed picture of her wearing earrings, the same earrings found in Anabel’s room during the investigation. This becomes the turning point. Pastor Mrs. Damilola is arrested. At first, she refuses to confess, but later admits to killing Anabel. She is sentenced to prison.
Pastor Raymond begs her and blames himself, saying if not for his mistake, none of this would have happened. He is released along with the others, but his church is never the same again, many members leave, and attendance drops.
There are so many lessons to learn from this movie. I rate it 8/10. The storyline is interesting, and all the actors played their roles perfectly. One thing that stood out for me is that many servants of God pray for others but forget to pray for themselves. Maybe if Pastor Raymond had prayed for himself more, all these wouldn’t have happened.
Also, his wife took a harsh decision, if they had both come out to confess the truth, it wouldn’t have been easy, but it would have been better. The members might leave, but at least she would have been saved from going to jail.