‘The Order of Things’ Review: A Look at Dr Sid’s Directorial Feature Debut

Here we go again, another improperly adapted Hollywood plot. The Order of Things tells the story of a geeky nerd’s search for love in the messy dating pool of Lagos. Tunde (Timini Egbuson) has his life planned out, with a set age for every milestone event in his life. Now he is 30 and ready to get married but his mother vehemently refuses. His immature and socially awkward elder brother, Demi (Obi Maduegbuna), has to get married first. “That is the order of things” she says, that’s how it has been all their lives, Demi has to come first in everything. Demi decides to take up the challenge of searching for a bride in order not to be a bump in Tunde’s life path. 

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It is safe to say that director Sidney Esiri does not have beginner’s luck. The Order of Things starts off well, showing potential to be a great movie. But somewhere along the line, everything goes out of order, the dynamics of the story become haphazard with inexplicable events that make the plot progression seem illogical— how are you in a serious relationship with someone and have no inkling of where they live? In trying to reconcile with Tayo, Demi’s girl, Tunde and Demi have to rough handle the matchmaker (Lateef Adedimeji) to get her address, but their mother magically knows where she lives without any prior investigation. Although there are some funny moments, the film becomes boring towards the end as the conflicts become increasingly unnecessary and ridiculous. 

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Apart from the fact that many of the details of the plot look un-Nigerian, which makes the story cringey as the plot becomes more irreconcilable with Nigerian nuances. The subplots are very unclear; what is the matchmaker’s investment in Demi’s life that deem that conflict necessary? and why would you go on to marry someone who planned to ruin your brother’s life for selfish gains? Although the script provides great backstories for the arc of Tunde and Demi, it is failed by the dialogue, it did not fit. Which Nigerians talk like that? 

The acting performances do little to help the quality of the film with most of the actors looking distracted and seeming to just want to recite their lines and be done with it. Unnatural acting which may have been caused by the script and a general lack of chemistry among the actors especially between Timini (Breaded Life) and Obi Maduegbuna (Money.Men.Marriage) who are meant to be brothers. 

The Order of Things could have been better if more attention was paid to details but it is a decent first outing from the director, hopefully, it only gets better. 

The Order of Things originally was in cinemas in 2022 and is now streaming on Netflix.

Rating: 4/10 

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Side Musings 

• Nice opening credits.
• Continuity: Where’s the wine they poured on Demi’s face? 
• Vampire? Really? 
• The sponsors had a chokehold on this film. 
• Nice jams.