What a year! Our best Nollywood films of the year touch important subjects and all find a way to weave their narratives around crucial topics in Nigerian society. Whether it has opted for the comedy route, the gritty path or to be monochromatic, they find their distinct ways to reflect our country’s unique realities.
In a year of Nigeria’s general elections, Jade Osiberu’s crime drama Gangs of Lagos, proved to be an instant evergreen film due to its undisguised political tone. As the japa wave also hit a new high as an all-present topic in almost every conversation, we were treated to the dark immigration tale of a separated couple in Tola Olatunji’s Kanaani and Kunle Afolayan’s Ijogbon, a coming-of-age drama that further explores greed. As a theme, geed resurfaced in the competitive corporate world of Lillian Carmen Ike-Okoro’s Egun, a mystical debut delight.
Alongside the fever to leave the country, we were recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, a subject that Akay Mason touches in his pandemic-themed love story Love in a Pandemic. With the restrictions lifted to travel around the world, C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s Mami Wata plunged at Sundance and reached several international shores.
Viewers are gradually demanding more. This year had a fine mix of genres, although our filmmakers favoured the darker tales centered on crime and politics and pushed for more gritty themes. Showing courage, our filmmakers are paying more attention to messaging albeit to varying degrees and success in execution.
Our consideration window remains from December 1 of the previous year to November 30 of the present year. The films must have been released to a general audience in cinemas or streaming (Netflix, Showmax or Prime Video) and must have been critically reviewed by us. For that reason, we can’t include some movies that we already enjoyed at festivals but were not released to a wide general audience within our consideration window.
Here are What Kept Me Up’s best Nollywood films of 2023.
8. Ijogbon (Directed by Kunle Afolayan. Written by Tunde Babalola)
“The story, written by Tunde Babalola, is relatively simple, refusing to fall into the trap of too many moving parts. It is often predictable but always earned because all the parts fall into place. The use of a folktale to guide the story is reminiscent of his early work in The Figurine with the greed that has persisted in humanity given a supernatural explanation.” – Ini-Abasi Jeffrey
Currently streaming on Netflix.
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7. Gangs of Lagos (Directed by Jade Osiberu. Written by Kay I. Jegede and Jade Osiberu)
“There is a flair to Gangs of Lagos. It is evident in the walk and dressing of Tayo Faniran’s Ninolowo, the navy blue tinge of that serene minaret shot, the excellent choice of feel-good songs that segue the beats and scenes, the elaborate slow-mo fight scenes, and the constancy of close-ups when characters express grief. Although the neon lights are now a Nollywood cliche, they work well here. There are countless diamonds shining in this rough of Isale Eko, they say.” – Olamide Adio
Currently streaming on Prime Video.
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6. Egun (Directed by Lillian Carmen Ike-Okoro. Written by Dare Olaitan)
“Like all psychological thrillers worth their categorization, Ègún comes with a fine enough twist that the filmmakers pull off without a hitch. As a black comedy, the film soars, courtesy of performances from Femi Jacobs (The House of Secrets) and Lateef Adedimeji (Ayinla). I didn’t laugh much, but my theatre was in stitches during certain scenes. As a satire, the film works, punching up at the all-too-common injustices observed in the corporate hierarchy.” – Osamudiamen Joe.
Currently in cinemas.
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5. Love in a Pandemic (Directed by Akay Mason. Written by Amaka Chidioka and Abosi Ogba)
“The plot is straight to the point and even though the story is fairly predictable from the title, at no point is it boring. Whilst it is a simple plot, the way it is executed makes it an enjoyable watch.” – Ayodele Olawumi
Currently streaming on Prime Video.
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4. Battle on Buka Street (Co-directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. Written by Funke Akindele, Jack’enneth Opukeme, Stephen Oluboyo and Jemine Edukugho)
“There are also several other subplots that are beautifully intertwined with the main plot making it a well-rounded wholesome story. It succeeds at being comic and we are kept laughing throughout, entertained with funny situations, dialogues and the acting that further heightens hilarity. Although situations get out of hand in some instances and the consequences get real, everything ends well (or not?) and on a light note.” – Ayodele Olawumi
Currently streaming on Prime Video.
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3. The Trade (Written and Directed by Jade Osiberu)
“The Trade is a film that is properly executed. It is a film that is made carefully, with an adequate but not over-ambitious plot that is shot in a relatable manner. The Trade resists the temptation to devolve into an action-filled film but instead focuses more on the character and the progression of the plot. This helps it to retain its soul, leading viewers to be more invested in the story.” – Ayodele Olawumi
Currently streaming on Prime Video.
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2. Mami Wata (Written and Directed by C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi)
“Lilis Soares’ work in the film is outstanding. The compositions are immaculate, and the penchant for profile and close-up shots affords an intimacy that the stoic acting and delivery precludes.” – Olamide Adio
Currently on a global theatrical run.
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1. Kanaani (Directed by Tola Olatunji. Written by Tunde Apalowo, Musa Jeffrey David and Tola Olatunji)
“Directed by Tola Olatunji, Kanaani tackles a medley of several societal issues: human trafficking, the dark side of the japa pandemic, and sexual violence. The film does not shy away from its themes and presents every detail brazenly rather than in a subtle manner.” – Ayodele Olawumi
Read more…
As we did last year, we also reached out to several critics this year to participate in a poll of their best films, directors and performances of the year. Look forward to the publication at the end of December.
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7 Comments
Please update your list to include “Breath of Life”. That was my favourite for the year
Just because it’s your favorite doesn’t make it a favorite
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