Nollywood never sleeps and neither do the twists, turns, and sometimes totally chaotic plots. With every new release comes hype, hope, and high expectations. But what do you get when top-tier talent meets not-so-tight storytelling? A mix of magic and mayhem.
In this review round-up, we’re diving into five buzzy titles, Alakada: Bad and Boujee, Her Excellency, Devil Is a Liar, Labake Olododo, and Sin. These films brought energy, glitz, and serious star power… but not all of them stuck the landing.
Was it the dialogue? The direction? Or just too many ideas squeezed into one plot? Let’s break it down, no filters, just facts (and maybe a little side-eye).
Alakada: Bad & Boujee
Producer: Toyin Abraham
Cast: It featured stars like Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, Bimbo Ademoye, Lizzy Jay , Ini Edo, Kolawole Ajeyemi , YhemoLee, Okunsanya Lolade , IsBae U, Bimbo Akintola, Odunlade Adekola and many others.
Why It Didn’t Fully Hit:
Alakada: Bad & Boujee sets out to be a flashy satire on social climbing and the curated chaos of social media culture, but it quickly collapses under the weight of its own glitter.
At the center is Yetunde, a girl from humble beginnings who’s hell-bent on faking her way into the world of the rich and influential. From head-to-toe designer knockoffs to Instagram filters and outrageous lies, she crafts a “boujee” persona that’s loud, proud, and entirely false. It’s meant to be funny, and at times, it is but the comedy gets lost in a plot that tries to do too much, too fast.
The film throws in heavy subplots like Mayowa’s experience with abuse, but barely scratches the surface. These serious issues are introduced without the emotional depth or screen time they deserve, making them feel like hasty add-ons rather than meaningful parts of the narrative. It’s like the movie is trying to serve jollof, small chops, and shawarma all on one plate, but forgets to cook anything properly.
Her Excellency
Director: Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo
Cast: Her Excellency features Sola Sobowale, Yemi Solade, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Ademoye, Odunlade Adekola, Fathia Balogun, Jide Kosoko and many others.
Why it didn’t fully hit:
Her Excellency attempts to blend political power play with emotional unraveling, but ends up tangled in its own ambition.
At the center is a power couple: a governor and his elegant, fiery wife, Omoyeni. From the outside, they’re the perfect political pair, but beneath the gloss lies a minefield of betrayal, paranoia, and ambition. When the governor’s chief security officer is murdered, it sets off a domino effect of distrust and suspicion, especially for Omoyeni, whose world begins to spiral.
The problem? The film can’t quite decide what it wants to be. One minute we’re knee-deep in political suspense, the next we’re watching a domestic meltdown that plays more like melodrama than tension. The tone swings wildly, robbing scenes of their intended emotional weight. Omoyeni’s growing paranoia could’ve been a masterclass in psychological tension but instead, it’s heavy-handed and underdeveloped. Her emotional shifts feel sudden, as if we skipped crucial scenes that should have earned her paranoia.
And the twists? They’re handed to the audience far too early, draining the story of suspense. Instead of building to a shocking reveal, the plot meanders through predictable beats. Even with strong performances, especially from the leads, the script lacks cohesion. The big, high-stakes political drama never quite fuses with the personal emotional core.
Devil Is A Liar
Director: Moses Inwang
Cast: The Devil is a Liar starred Nse Ikpe-Etim, James Gardiner, Erica Nlewedim, Nancy Isime, Mercy Aigbe, Carolyn Hutchings.
Why it didn’t fully hit:
Devil Is a Liar tries to tell an epic story of love, betrayal, and transformation but it bites off far more than it can chew.
At the center is Ada, whose romance with a seemingly charming man quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, deception, and emotionally charged confrontations spanning years. It has all the makings of a gripping drama, except the film never gives the story enough time to breathe.
Massive emotional shifts and years of betrayal are compressed into a tight runtime, making the character arcs feel rushed and undercooked. Ada’s evolution from wide-eyed lover to emotionally hardened woman lacks buildup, feeling more like a switch was flipped than a natural progression. Anna, the film’s antagonist, is villainous for the sake of it, her motivations barely explored, her actions loud but hollow.
Technically, there are flashes of quality, lighting and some cinematographic choices stand out but poor audio and jarring scene transitions constantly disrupt immersion. Most critically, the emotional stakes fall flat. The betrayals should sting, but the film doesn’t earn the payoff.
In the end, Devil Is a Liar wants to be intense and unforgettabls but what we got is a story that races through its potential, leaving us behind.
Labake Olododo
Director: Iyabo Ojo
Cast: This film featured seasoned talents like Iyabo Ojo, Tayo Faniran, Olarotimi Fakunle, Alana Omoalaopo, Odunlade Adekola, Broda Shaggi
Why it didn’t fully hit:
Labake introduces a fierce female warrior who takes on injustice with sword and spirit. There’s political scheming, betrayal, a love interest in the soft-spoken teacher Jaye, and even dashes of supernatural intrigue.
But while the ambition is clear, the execution falters under the weight of too many competing threads. The film juggles comedy relief, romance drama, power tussles, and epic showdowns , often within minutes of each other. Instead of weaving a tight narrative, the result feels like genre whiplash. One minute you’re in a heartfelt lovers’ quarrel, the next, you’re knee-deep in palace conspiracy or a shaky sword fight.
Labake herself is bold, passionate, and determined but sometimes veers into theatrical overkill. Her warrior persona occasionally breaks the realism barrier, making emotional moments hard to buy. Fight scenes and CGI swing between decent and disorienting, lacking the polish the story’s scale demands.
Sin
Producer: Jim Iyke
Cast: This film featured seasoned talents like Jim Iyke, Toni Tones, Kenneth Nwadike, Bimbo Manuel, Chidi Mokeme, Toke Makinwa, Charles Okocha, Ronya Man, Gideon Okeke, Teddy A.
Why it didn’t fully hit:
Tosin Shina, a Lagos socialite with the perfect life, is thrown into chaos when her husband, Jide, is arrested for drug trafficking. Turns out, Jide was the polished face of a global drug syndicate. Now Black, a cold, calculating ex-agent-turned-cartel kingpin who forces Tosin to take over or lose everything, including her kids.
From red carpets to drug routes, Tosin’s world flips fast. But instead of breaking, she flips the script, teaming up with the DEA in a high-stakes bid to dismantle the empire from within.
The plot is gripping, the stakes are massive, and the production looks good. But the real problem? Delivery. Despite a solid cast list on paper, the performances don’t land with the emotional weight the story demands. There’s a certain hollowness like everyone showed up, but left the fire at home.
And just when it starts heating up… it ends. Sin clearly has a sequel in mind, the unresolved arcs and dramatic teases practically scream Part 2 loading. But next time, let’s hope the performances match the promise.
In conclusion, At the heart of it all is a growing audience craving not just drama, but depth. And while these titles may not have fully landed, they remind us that with the right balance of story, structure, and soul, Nollywood can tell unforgettable tales.
