Family Vacation Review: The Emotional Journey Of A Family, Behind the Filters…

Family Vacation is a Kenyan movie originally released in 2023 but was acquired by Netflix in 2024. It is about an internet-famous couple, eager to address their marital issues, embarking on a turbulent journey down memory lane. This 82-minute Kenyan drama, produced by Alfajiri Productions, was written and directed by Voline Ogutu and is currently available on Netflix.

Plot

Yara Maleki, an author, mother, and blogger, reflects on her journey that began with a boat proposal and has led to her writing career, a daughter, and an almost broken marriage 13 years later. As she anticipates a bestseller award for her latest book—based on the facade of her seemingly perfect marriage—Yara grapples with painful memories. Flashbacks reveal her childhood, where her mother frequently slept with different men in a room divided only by a shabby curtain, offering little attention or affection to her daughter.

All Yara had were her storybooks, her escape from a mother who frequently reminded her that she would achieve nothing more than a meal and a warm bed. Despite Yara’s dreams of becoming a writer, her mother eventually abandoned her, leaving her to navigate life independently.

In her quest to maintain a perfect public image and secure her bestseller, Yara continues to live a facade, orchestrating self-planned surprises. Her marriage, a fantasy for many, crumbles when Jon presents her with divorce papers. An altercation between them at the hospital makes headlines, heightening her desperation to save their relationship.

Yara proposes one last family vacation to reconnect, but their time together is quickly interrupted as onlookers begin snapping photos. Jon sees this as yet another of Yara’s attempts to convince her fans that everything is fine. He struggles with the discomfort of her need for public attention and how she constantly exposes their private lives.

Yara takes control of her situation by picking Lilah up from school and heading to the airport for the vacation she has planned. When Jon calls to know their whereabouts, she tells him they’re at a familiar spot from their past. However, during the trip, Yara becomes consumed with social media trends and obsessively checks Jon’s page, neglecting Lilah’s needs. As the tension escalates, Sylvia urges Yara to return home with Lilah, but Yara fears losing everything, including her chance at a bestseller.

Meanwhile, Jon’s new girlfriend grows suspicious, convinced that Yara is trying to manipulate him into rekindling their relationship. As Jon prepares to find Yara and Lilah, Shani packs her bags to join him. When Lilah manages to call Jon, he’s too preoccupied with his argument with Shani to answer. When Yara discovers this, she scolds Lilah, leading to a pivotal moment where she reveals the impending divorce and Jon’s plans for full custody. This frank conversation helps them bond, and Yara starts to rethink bringing Lilah back home, though Sylvia reminds her of her dreams.

Jonathan eventually tracks down Yara, but she panics and flees with Lilah when she sees him with Shani. In the ensuing chaos, he loses sight of them, and Shani reports Yara to the authorities, labelling it a kidnapping. As Jonathan returns to the city, memories flood back for both him and Yara.

During the frantic search, Yara accidentally drops her purse, which Jonathan later finds. In dire need of money, Yara calls Sylvia, only to learn that Jonathan instructed her not to help, warning that it could jeopardise her agency. Sylvia also updates her trending photos of Shani and Jonathan online.

After Lilah reveals she hurt herself to get Yara’s attention, Yara decides to call Jon and agrees to meet him the next morning. However, while Lilah is asleep, she calls Jon, but Shani answers and claims that Yara only took her to blackmail him. The next morning, Yara wakes up to discover that Lilah has run away. This crisis ultimately strengthens the bond between Yara and Jon as they team up to find her.

After some chaotic moments online, they finally locate Lilah, but she expresses that she feels unloved by both parents. In her attempt to escape them, she runs into the street but is saved by Yara, who gets injured in the process. The following scene takes place in therapy, where Yara confronts her abandonment issues and how they affect her family dynamics.

As their struggles become public knowledge, Yara meets Jon to finalise the divorce. He tries to convince her to give their relationship another chance, but she insists she has changed. Although she achieves bestseller status, it’s not in the way she had hoped, leaving her feeling unfulfilled, and she decides to step away from writing.

Six months later, Yara is on a beach with her family, taking steps towards healing and rebuilding their lives together.

Cast

Sarah Hassan delivered a stunning performance as Yara, capturing her vulnerability more than her celebrity status or career-driven persona. She skillfully navigated each scene according to the emotional demands.

Lenana Kariba’s portrayal of Jonathan felt somewhat laid-back, and his emotions didn’t come through strongly, even as his feelings about the marriage shifted from wanting to end it to wanting it back.

Angel Atieno, who played Lilah, stood out among the cast, fully embodying the character’s emotional range despite her young age, making the viewing experience truly enjoyable.

Joyce Maina as Shani and Jackie Matubia’s performance as Sylvia also added depth to the ensemble. 

Language

In Family Vacation, English serves as the predominant language, but Swahili and Sheng are also used at various points throughout the narrative.

Summary

Family Vacation proved to be an engaging watch, particularly due to its unexpected ending, which deviated from conventional predictability—most notably with Yara signing the divorce papers. 

The film, however, leaves Yara’s true backstory largely unexplored, raising unanswered questions about her solitary upbringing. Additionally, the conclusion left ambiguity regarding the status of Yara and Jonathan’s relationship, leaving viewers uncertain whether they would reconcile or simply co-parent. Overall, the film presents a balanced viewing experience, though certain narrative elements may benefit from further exploration.