Reel Love hit cinemas early this February with a vibe that’s both playful and deeply human, a love story that clicks, clacks, and ultimately sticks. Directed by Kayode Kasum and executive produced by Timini Egbuson and Dakore Egbuson Akande (who also appear in the cast), this Amazon Prime feature brilliantly explores the complex world of fake love that can turn into actual love.
It’s the kind of story that starts with headlines and hashtags, the kind that feeds Instagram gossip circles and online tea but then somehow, through all the chaos and comedy, drifts into the territory of something real and sincere. In Reel Love, what begins as clickbait romance slowly evolves into raw, messy, flawed, and wonderfully human experiences. It’s a film about two strangers who accidentally collide, get dragged into a pretend relationship for clout, and somehow, when no one’s looking, find a genuine connection hidden beneath all the filters and campaigns.
Plot
The movie bursts open with Rachael Monday, a simple, hustling professional errand girl doing her best to make ends meet in Lagos. Rachael scoots around, running errands for people, earning little bits here and there, just trying to stay afloat. One night, she heads to a bar to meet a friend, and as fate would have it, this is where her world gets knocked sideways.
Enter Tomide, a hotshot online relationship therapist and influencer, complete with a ring in his pocket and a thousand followers watching his every move. Unbeknownst to him, he’s in the bar, literally fumbling with his engagement ring, lost in thought… until Rachael pops into his path (literally), accidentally smacks into him, and sends the ring flying off his finger. The result? An altercation caught on camera. And because this is 2025, you know it didn’t just stay in the bar; it trended.
Soon, social media explodes: “How can a relationship expert be rude to a woman like that?” someone hisses online. “Unprofessional!” cries another. The tea gets poured harder by a rival influencer, especially one online nemesis who isn’t shy about dragging Tomide every chance he gets during live streams. Suddenly, the world thinks Rachael and Tomide are an angry couple mid‑fight even though they’ve just met.
Tomide and his supposed fiancée, Imani, quickly realise this trending scandal could be salvaged (or monetised) if they play along as a couple. Maybe, just maybe, this fake relationship could revive Tomide’s fading career and land them brand deals. So Tomide sets out to track Rachael down.
He finds her at her house and puts the pitch on the table: “Play along as my girlfriend for a few months, cute couple content, brand endorsements, influencer campaigns, and we all win.” Rachael, wary and unimpressed by clout chases, thinks he’s using her for likes. But then reality bites: her father needs transplant surgery she can barely afford. Desperate and out of options, she eventually caves and the two embark on a couple‑for‑hire journey, complete with wardrobe revamps, photo shoots, and brand collabs (hello Couples Collective and friends).
As the cameras roll and the captions get sweeter, something weird starts to happen: they’re actually becoming friends. Meanwhile, Tomide still hasn’t forgotten about Imani. He keeps trying to be serious, posting about commitment and talking about marriage, but when he tells his mom he wants to settle down, he tells her he has one condition: he needs to meet his father first. Tomide’s dad left when he was a baby, and this emotional reunion becomes one of those classic “heart opens up” moments in the story. When Tomide nervously admits to his dad about his fears of marriage, his father tells him to follow his heart.
But then comes the Imani meeting with her rich father, a man with the energy of a head of state and the intention of testing Tomide’s resolve. He tells him bluntly, “Make my daughter happy.” Easy, right? Not so fast. Something about it unsettles Tommy. He finds himself second-guessing his choices, and once again, his father’s voice echoes in his head: follow your heart.
As the duo’s fake romance continues to blossom into something real, Imani starts to feel the shift. Tomide’s online deals are popping, their pair content is viral… and Imani feels like she’s being edged out. So she quietly decides she’s done and wants out of the arrangement she herself once championed. Before Imani can follow through, something unexpected brews between Rachael and Tomide. One day, when Rachael is staying at a friend’s place, Tomide offers to cover her bills and move her out of her friend’s apartment. Instead of gratitude, Rachael is irritated; she doesn’t want charity, she wants respect. What starts as tension snowballs into a confrontation… which leads to a kiss. And one kiss leads to another… and the next thing you know, it’s morning, and this changes everything.
Tomide, feeling the weight of the moment, decides he finally needs to end things with Imani, for real this time. But when he shows up at the house to do just that, Rachael appears too and Imani’s world twists even further. She’d never known about Tomide’s “fiancée thing,” and both of them seeing each other there confirmed all their worst viral suspicions. Hurt and betrayed, Richard walks away.
Tomide breaks up with her for good and directly. But life isn’t done throwing punches. Just then, Rachael gets an emergency call: her father has had a cardiac arrest and needs urgent surgery. It’s too late; he loses his life on the table. Rachael disappears off the grid for weeks, shaken and grieving. Tomide tries to reach her, but she’s unreachable.
In a last‑ditch effort to clear the air, Tomide goes live online, explaining the real truth behind their “relationship” and his genuine feelings for Rachael. But before he even posts the truth, Imani, still wounded inside, goes to Tomide’s online rival, the influencer who loves dragging him and feeds him the news that their entire relationship was fake. The clip goes viral. Chaos ensues.
Eventually, after the storm dies down, Tomide returns online, apologises publicly, and confesses his love for Rachael. He tracks her down to a hotel where she’s lying low, still hurt and grieving. In a dramatic scene full of emotion, he tries to cause a scene, calling her name, trying to talk, and refusing to be ignored. Rachael finally hears him, they talk it out, and Reel Love closes with them reconnecting, having faced the mess, the pain, and the climb back to love.
Cast
The lead role in Reel Love was carried by Timini Egbunson, whose signature lover-boy aura once again took centre stage. Timini has mastered the art of bringing charm and relatability to his romantic leads, and while he gave a commendable performance, it was Princess T.J. Omusuko, in the role of Rachel, who truly stole the show. Her portrayal was raw, unforced, and emotionally authentic; there was a sincerity to her delivery that made her performance stand out in a sea of more seasoned names. Despite not being a household name (yet), Princess T.J. leaves behind a lasting impression with this role.
Imani, played by Atlanta Bridget Johnson, also deserves praise for delivering a layered performance that felt grounded and convincing. Among the broader ensemble, there were familiar and respected faces like Dakore Egbuson, Efe Iwara, Bimbo Ademoye, Shaffy Bello, Muiwa Ademola, Lilian Afegbai, Hermes, Jay On Air, Chukwuma Ali-Gwekwe, Gold Ikponmwonsa, Kayode Rufai, and Valerie Ike.
However, while the cast list was impressive, the roles given to many of these actors lacked narrative weight. It felt, at times, like their appearances were more for star power than storytelling value. Apart from strong contributions from Muyiwa Ademola, Funke Akindele, Bimbo Ademoye, and Atlanta Bridget Johnson, many of the other actors’ characters felt underdeveloped or detached from the core plot. This imbalance diluted the impact of an otherwise promising ensemble.
Language
The film was predominantly in English, with an enjoyable sprinkle of Yoruba and Pidgin English; a true Lagos-style blend that gave the dialogue some cultural flavour and kept conversations grounded and realistic.
Final take
Reel Love had a lot going for it visually and sonically. The sound design was crisp, the picture quality was clean, and the aesthetic choices, particularly the costumes, were spot-on. Every outfit felt intentional and character-appropriate, adding depth to scenes without overshadowing them. The costume department clearly understood the assignment and delivered with style.
Plot-wise, the story offered a fresh take on the fake-to-real love trope, especially within the context of influencer culture and public perception. But despite this unique angle, the plot didn’t quite achieve lasting emotional resonance. It was enjoyable, sure, an easy, feel-good watch but not one that leaves a deep impression. The pacing occasionally dragged, and while there were standout moments, the story lacked the tension or complexity needed to elevate it into a memorable romantic classic.
Is it cinema-worthy? Not quite. It would shine better as a streaming title. It’s watchable, visually polished, and sweet at times, but it doesn’t hit hard enough to justify a theatre run. It’s a nice one for a quiet night in, not a blockbuster.
