What happens when love, trust, and marriage vows are poisoned by greed and betrayal? That’s the chilling question at the heart of Mucoma (The Battle of a Couple), a gripping new Rwandan film that combines the suspense of a psychological thriller with the raw realism of a crime drama.
The film premiered on August 30 on ZACU TV and is also streaming on MyCanal, giving French-speaking audiences across different countries access to this must-watch story.
At its core, Mucoma follows the collapse of a middle-aged marriage poisoned by mistrust and selfishness. One marriage, two children, and a home full of secrets — when a husband, obsessed with keeping all the family property to himself, refuses to divorce fairly, he devises a deadly plan. But his wife learns the truth just in time, narrowly escaping and turning the tables in a tense game where the hunter suddenly becomes the hunted. More than a story of survival, the film acts as a mirror to society, showing how betrayal and greed can spiral into devastating consequences for families.
Bringing this story to life is a skilled creative team. The film was written and directed by Mutiganda wa Nkunda and produced by Shema Faustin, with Misago Wilson and Mutiganda himself serving as executive producers. The visual intensity of Mucoma owes much to Bora Shingiro’s cinematography, sharpened by Iraguha Jean Paul’s editing. The atmosphere is further shaped by Clarisse Mugeni, who handled both production design and makeup, alongside Maranatha Uwera’s costume design, Maniraguha Vincent’s lighting, and Dushimimana “Robin” Prudence’s sound. On screen, the story is anchored by compelling performances from Analyssa Munyana, Lucky Murekezi, Irunga Longin, Grace Umuhire, Janet Mutesi, and Alain Samson Mwiyeretsi. Munyana portrays the betrayed wife’s resilience, while Murekezi delivers a chilling performance as a man consumed by greed, and the supporting cast adds rich layers of authenticity.
Director MUTIGANDA WA NKUNDA (on the left) with DOP Shingiro Bora(on the right side)
For Mutiganda , the roots of Mucoma lie in a shift he sees in modern Rwandan society. Divorce, once rare in a conservative culture, is becoming more common — and with it, bitter conflicts over property. “Many people still can’t grasp the idea that divorcing couples should fairly split assets,” he explains, pointing to how greed and patriarchal attitudes often push men to claim everything for themselves. The spark for the film came from a news story about a woman who tried to hire a killer to eliminate her husband and his lover, only for the plot to be exposed. Mutiganda flipped the roles in his script, making the husband the mastermind. “By switching the genders,” he says, “I was able to better explore the theme of greed in a patriarchal society where men often see women as having contributed nothing to the family’s wealth.”
Symbolism adds an additional layer of meaning to the film. One striking creative choice is the red dress worn by Esperence, which becomes a visual marker of betrayal, rage, and transformation — charting her evolution from victim to survivor, and ultimately into something darker.
Mucoma has already earned attention on the festival circuit, securing nominations at the Mashariki African Film Festival in multiple categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Makeup.
Beyond its suspense and dramatic twists, the film resonates as a powerful social commentary. The husband’s affair and ruthless plan to marry his mistress after eliminating his wife echo the rising number of divorce-related conflicts in Rwanda, underlining the dangers of unchecked greed and patriarchal entitlement. At the same time, the film’s emotional intensity and polished production values showcase the growing strength and maturity of Rwanda’s film industry.
At its heart, Mucoma (The Battle of a Couple) is more than a film — it’s a reflection of reality. As Nkunda himself puts it: “What happens in the film is what keeps happening in real life.”
For anyone who loves suspenseful stories rooted in real-life struggles, this is not just a film — it’s an experience worth watching, sharing, and discussing.
