The 4th Generation is a supernatural family drama available on the Toyin Abraham Film Academy YouTube channel. The story, written by Toyin Abraham, centres on a generational curse passed down through the women of a family, a pattern of broken marriages and single motherhood until one generation finally decides to confront and end the cycle.
Plot
The movie revolves around four generations of women in one bloodline: the great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and daughter. For decades, each woman has shared the same fate: unable to remain in her marital home, birthing only one female child, and eventually returning to her family home alone.
The story opens with Laila, the daughter of Awawu, telling her mother she wants to leave her husband. Her reasons seem modern and trivial: boredom, emotional dissatisfaction, and lack of excitement in the marriage. While Awawu tries to dissuade her, things take a supernatural turn when Awawu experiences a disturbing, recurring dream. In it, she sees a symbolic procession: her great-grandmother passing a bowl of burden to her grandmother, who then passes it to her. When it’s time for Awawu to hand the bowl to Laila, she refuses.
Troubled by the dream, Awawu confides in her mother, a woman more concerned with vanity, money, and her skin than family. This older woman had abandoned Awawu at age 14 and remains largely indifferent to the growing signs of a spiritual problem.
Determined to find answers, Awawu visits an Alfa (Islamic cleric), who asks her to bring both her mother and grandmother. During the session, the Alfa questions the grandmother about her past, prompting a flashback to her younger days with her husband, Azeez.
In their youth, Awawu’s grandparents lived in poverty. Driven by desperation, the grandmother confided in a friend who introduced them to a Babalawo (traditional priest). The Babalawo promised them wealth in exchange for a terrible sacrifice: the fetus in the grandmother’s womb. Desperate, they agreed. The sacrifice worked as they became wealthy and mingled with the powerful.
However, Azeez, driven by greed, returned secretly to the Babalawo and demanded that the riches be extended to his 14th generation. The Babalawo agreed, but with a curse: all future generations of women in their family would only bear daughters and would never stay married.
Once the horrifying truth is uncovered, Awawu, her mother, and grandmother decide to break the generational curse. They consult spiritual leaders—Alfas—and engage in deep prayers and rituals. In the end, their efforts succeed. The curse is broken, and Laila can stay with her husband, finally ending the tragic cycle.
Cast
The 4th Generation features Toyin Abraham, Bimbo Akintola, Lanre Hassan, Bianca Ugowanne, Nofiu Ganiu and others.
Language
Predominantly Yoruba, as is common with Toyin’s movies, but with a perfect blend of English and Hausa languages.
Summary
Credit must be given to both the plot and its execution. The 4th Generation offers a refreshing and original storyline that stands out in the YouTube movie space. The film dives into the complexities of generational trauma with a unique spiritual twist, making it an engaging and thought-provoking watch. Its well-paced narrative, layered characters, and emotional depth keep viewers invested from start to finish.
