Thicker Than Water is a horror-thriller directed by Yomi Adejumo and produced under the Joshua Enakarhire Production. The film blends elements of suspense, folklore, and emotional drama to deliver a story that is both haunting and human. Set in the fictional yet eerily believable town of Ile Agbadami, the film explores the themes of sisterhood, trauma, community secrets, and the lingering grip of unresolved pasts.
At the centre of the story are two sisters, Ese and Onome, whose complicated relationship unfolds across two timelines, the past and the present. Through well-placed flashbacks and subtle narrative transitions, we gain glimpses into their childhood, their fractured bond, and the mysterious disappearance of one sister, which becomes the catalyst for the other’s reluctant return to a place that holds more questions than answers.
Plot
What begins as a quiet, brief visit to a rural town becomes a harrowing experience for Ese, a journalist, as she returns to her sister Onome’s last known residence. Onome is presumed dead or missing, and Ese’s only intention is to retrieve a few personal belongings. But soon, what was meant to be a quick trip stretches into a month-long entanglement with something much darker than she ever anticipated.
The movie opens with a tender childhood moment: a young Onome sketching a portrait of Ese. This soft beginning is quickly contrasted by an ominous scene of someone being dragged into the woods, setting the eerie tone that lingers throughout the film.
We learn that Onome was a gifted artist who, before her disappearance, lived in Ile Agbadami with Kazeem, a local friend who appears warm and trustworthy. Ese, seeking closure, finds Onome’s journal and discovers a painful love story: Onome fell for a man who quickly proposed but abandoned her when she got pregnant, insisting she terminate the pregnancy. The emotional fallout from this heartbreak hints at deeper pain and danger.
As Ese investigates, she uncovers troubling patterns of missing persons within the community. A terrible storm wrecks her car, forcing her to remain longer than planned. During this time, she’s invited to a community storytelling event hosted by Kazeem, where an elderly woman recounts the legend of a mysterious, cursed stone, rumoured to possess supernatural powers and a violent history involving women as spiritual vessels.
Ese’s personal trauma is also revealed: her paralysing fear of water, rooted in a disturbing childhood memory of Onome nearly drowning her during a prank gone wrong. This fear becomes significant as the town’s only safe exit by boat is not an option for her.
The sisters’ backstory adds more emotional weight. Born to a mistress and abandoned by their late father’s family, the girls grew up facing hardship. When their mother fell ill, they took turns caring for her, until Onome ran away, leaving Ese to bear the burden alone. That betrayal left a deep scar that Ese never healed from.
Then comes Tiny, a disturbing, quiet figure always lurking. We learn that Tiny’s father, a powerful spiritualist, once tried to achieve immortality by transferring his spirit into his son’s body. Tiny now walks the town as something… not entirely human.
Tension peaks when Onome’s apartment is broken into, and Ese discovers a chilling note: I’m still here. Find me, Ese.
From that moment, the story kicks into investigative overdrive. Ese connects with a mysterious informant who was once working with Onome to expose the town’s dark secrets. Just as he begins to reveal the truth about an underground cult operating in the community, he is abruptly assassinated, shot in the head. With that, it becomes clear: the town is hiding something sinister, and they will kill to protect it.
As layers of deception, spiritual forces, and betrayal unfold, Ese finds herself questioning everything: her safety, her sister’s loyalty, and even her own mind. Was Onome a victim, a pawn, or something far more dangerous?
Cast
Adaobi Dibor truly came through in Thicker Than Water. Her portrayal of Ese was layered and immersive; she carried the emotional weight of the story with poise. From the eerie tension to the soft grief and the journalistic curiosity, she embodied each phase with intentionality. You could tell she studied the character deeply, and she delivered with a quiet intensity that fit the tone of the film.
Taye Arimoro as Kazeem provided a calm yet intriguing balance. While the seasoned horror/thriller viewer may have sensed the twist coming, his performance helped keep the suspense afloat. He didn’t overplay his role — he let the mystery linger and allowed us to stay curious.
Bimbo Ademoye as Onome deserves some credit for stepping out of her usual comic/dramatic lane into this psychological-horror space. Even though her scenes came mostly through flashbacks and journal reflections, she injected a haunting sadness into her performance.
Thicker Than Water also featured talents like Damilola “THE GOLDFISH” Ogunsi, Toyosi Benjamin, Mawuyon Ogun, Pamilerin Ayodeji, and Diana Egwatu.
Language
Thicker Than Water was predominantly in the English Language. However, it featured a perfect blend of Pidgin and Yoruba.
Final take
From the first few scenes of Thicker Than Water, it’s clear the film leans into a dark, eerie aesthetic. There’s a consistent undertone of tension that builds through atmospheric visuals, silent stares, symbolic objects, and folklore told around dimly lit gatherings.
One thing Thicker Than Water doesn’t shy away from is experimentation, particularly with the heavy use of AI and CGI. At several points, it makes you wonder: was the intention to create a surreal, eerie atmosphere using artificial intelligence, or was it simply an attempt to recreate a horror-CGI moment that didn’t fully land? Either way, the ambition is clear, and in an industry where horror remains one of Nollywood’s most underexplored and technically challenging genres, the effort here is commendable. The visuals might not always be seamless, but the intent to push boundaries is worth noting.
As for the casting, it was generally strong. Special props to the younger Ese; the resemblance to her older version was spot on, helping us stay immersed across the time jumps. However, the same can’t be said for young Onome. The physical and emotional continuity between the child and adult versions didn’t quite hit the mark.
Plot-wise, the twist involving Kazeem was one you could spot from a mile away, especially if you’re a horror fan. The moment a character is too helpful, too well-informed, and too ever-present, it’s usually a red flag. That said, Onome’s twist was more subtle and definitely harder to predict, which added a welcome layer of surprise.
With the way the movie wraps up, it’s obvious there’s a sequel in the oven. And frankly, I’m curious. While part one didn’t give away all its secrets, it offered just enough mystery, folklore, and suspense to keep viewers invested. All in all, Thicker Than Water isn’t perfect, but it’s an ambitious, entertaining dive into horror that shows promise and leaves you wanting more.
