The actor behind one of the most talked-about characters in Netflix's trending movie The Herd has broken his silence about his controversial role, revealing surprising details that change how viewers should perceive his character.
From Bandit Leader to Victim of Circumstance
Abba Ali Zaki, who portrayed Halil, the intimidating bandit leader in Etim Effiong's gripping film, has explained that his character was far from the villain many viewers perceived. The movie, which debuted in cinemas on October 17 before streaming on Netflix, has sparked intense discussions across Nigerian social media platforms, particularly given its timely reflection of the country's ongoing security challenges.
Zaki delivered one of the film's most memorable performances, with his tense interactions with Yakubu in the kidnapping camp becoming standout moments. However, the actor insists audiences missed the crucial backstory that defined his character's motivations.
The Untold Story Behind Halil's Character
In a revealing social media post, Zaki shared that Halil was actually an orphan boy stolen at a young age and forced to spend 13 years with his kidnappers. Rather than being a natural-born criminal, he evolved into a man simply fighting to survive in the only environment he knew.
"People saw the twist, but not the scars behind it," Zaki wrote. "In The Herd, Halil wasn't the villain — he was an orphan boy stolen at a young age and forced to spend 13 years with his kidnappers, growing into a man simply fighting to survive."
Nigerian Audience Reactions to Character Revelation
The actor's explanation has generated significant buzz among Nigerian movie enthusiasts, with many reassessing their initial perceptions of the character. Social media reactions captured by Legit.ng show divided but passionate responses:
- @wonuolalanre appreciated the backstory: "Backstory!!! I personally love this Backstory. He is a product of the environment he grew up in for years!"
- @naomiitee humorously commented: "Abba Zaky pls come and kidnap me ist I want to check something u killed your role."
- @riyo_david admitted: "I ended up rooting for him because in all honesty, his heart is in the right place."
- @winston.favour agreed with Zaki's assessment: "I kept saying that halil was not such a terrorist the whole movie hus heart was always in the right place."
Not all reactions were sympathetic, however, with @glove98_ noting: "Not people sympathizing with the kidnappers in the comment section."
The film's realistic portrayal of kidnapping and violence has resonated deeply with Nigerian audiences living through similar security concerns in reality. One viewer, @lin_sucree, captured this sentiment: "After watching - The Herd when I see cattles I start getting scared. The movie is dope but sadly our new reality God help us o."
As The Herd continues to generate conversation, Zaki's insights provide a deeper understanding of how circumstance rather than inherent evil can shape a character's destiny, mirroring complex real-world situations beyond the screen.
