Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan ( Wedding Party 2 and Chief Daddy), My Mother is a Witch is a poignant, unexpected drama that peels back the complex layers of mother-daughter relationships, cultural expectations, and buried family secrets.
Produced by Anthill Studio, this film delivers far more than its quirky title suggests. It’s not about black magic or broomsticks, it’s about the type of “witchcraft” only a Nigerian mother can conjure: the kind steeped in deep sacrifice, misunderstood love, and heartbreak.
Plot
At the centre of this emotionally rich story is Imuetiyan, a dazzling, high-flying fashion professional at British Vogue, living what seems like the perfect life. That is, until a phone call from Nigeria changes everything. It’s from a doctor Benin, her mother has died. Or so she thinks.
Estranged from her mother, Adesuwa, for over a decade, Imuetiyan is reluctantly pulled back to her roots in Benin City. She intends to bury the past literally and figuratively, in under a week. But from the moment she lands, things feel off. A detour from the airport leads her not to a hotel, but to her old family house. Former neighbours greet her warmly, and Dr. Ayo, the doctor from the call, insists on a quick visit to the hospital to sign some papers.
And then, boom, the plot twist. Her mother walks in, very much alive.
Turns out the “death” was staged, an elaborate intervention from a desperate mother and her loyal community. Adesuwa simply wanted one final chance to make peace with her only child. But Imuetiyan isn’t buying the tears. She calls her a witch, accuses her of poisoning her youth, her dreams, and her future.
But fate has a way of forcing confrontation. Imuetiyan gets robbed, passport, phone, cash—all gone. Trapped in Benin, she’s forced to coexist with the woman she swore never to see again.
As the story unfolds, we learn that Adesuwa, a skilled bead maker and single mother, once pinned all her hopes on Imuetiyan becoming a doctor. But when love entered the picture, in the form of Gabriel, a charming, ambitionless young man, everything began to fall apart. Worse still, when a pregnancy threatened to derail Imuetiyan’s future, Adesuwa made a painful choice: to force an abortion and sever ties, all in the name of “protecting” her daughter.
It was a decision Imuetiyan never forgave. But as she spends more time back home, hidden truths emerge. Dr. Ayo reveals that Adesuwa once sacrificed everything, even her dignity, to secure Imuetiyan’s future. She had given herself to her late husband’s brother, Uncle Paul, to raise money for her daughter’s travel abroad. That same man was now trying to exploit her again.
As Adesuwa’s health rapidly declines, Imuetiyan is forced to confront not just her mother’s mortality, but the depth of her love. The kind that looks like wickedness until you hear the full story.
Cast
One of the strongest elements of My Mother is a Witch lies in its well-grounded and thoughtfully chosen cast. Each actor brought something genuine to the screen, making the story feel emotionally real and culturally rooted.
There was a clear emotional connection between the characters, particularly between Imuetiyan and her mother, Adesuwa played by Efe Irele and Mercy Aigbe. Even when they were split by years of silence and unresolved pain, you could still sense the bond that once existed and perhaps still lingered between them. That subtle tension and connection added depth to the story.
Dr. Ayo, who played Timini Egbuson, brought a calm presence to the film. His performance helped ground the emotional chaos around him. Since it was a Benin-themed movie, Mercy Aigbe truly stood out. She delivered an authentic performance, especially with her fluency in the Bini language, which added cultural depth and believability to her role.
The extras like Omoregie Eunice Noma, Elegbe Osagie, many of whom were Benin actors, also brought authenticity to the environment. Their presence made the setting feel lived-in and real, rather than staged.
Neo Akpofure also put in a decent effort in his role. While it wasn’t the most demanding part of the film, he held his own and contributed to the overall rhythm of the story.
In all, the casting choices weren’t just good; they were intentional, culturally aware, and added weight to the film’s emotional and narrative impact.
Language
The movie was a linguistic buffet. Fluent English, Bini, Naija street slang. It felt authentically Nigerian. The dialogue was fluid and relatable, not stiff or overly scripted.
Final take
My Mother is a Witch thrives on its authenticity. Shot in Benin and rich in the native Bini language, it grounds itself in culture, one of its most compelling strengths. The language isn’t just background; it gives the story weight, emotion, and depth.
Another standout element is the casting. The cast brought life and realism to the screen, with Mercy Aigbe’s portrayal adding a strong cultural texture.
The plot was solid, not necessarily groundbreaking, but well thought out and emotionally engaging. It explored themes of estrangement, sacrifice, and reconciliation without becoming overly sentimental. While there were moments that tested realism like the passport subplot, they didn’t detract too much from the overall narrative.
The ending was satisfying, bringing closure to both character arcs and emotional tensions. It left you with a feeling that things had come full circle, even if not everything was neatly tied up.
