A Lagos Love Story

They Called It A Lagos Love Story and I am Still Trying to Find the Love (or the Lagos)

Hello!
Hope you had a great weekend. I’m happy to have you here. In case you have some movies lined up for the next few days and “A Lagos Love Story” is on that list, I’m here to help set your expectations.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert Ahead!

Source: Netflix

Rating: 2/10

Movie Plot

Promise (played by Jemima Osunde) is a young woman trying to save her parents’ home after the government issues a notice for unpaid taxes; 20 million Naira worth. An opportunity comes her way when she lands a role with a top management company run by Fadekemi (Linda Ejiofor) and Achike (IK Osakioduwa).

In a twist of fate, Promise is tasked with keeping Kator (Mike Afolarin), a temperamental music star, on his best behavior ahead of his upcoming concert. That’s when the “drama” really begins.

Cast

Cast: Mike Afolarin, Jemima Osunde, Uti Nwachukwu, Susan Pwajok, Chimezie Imo, Uche Montana, Linda Ejiofor, Kalu Ikeagwu, IK Osakioduwa

Overall, the cast was… okay. No performance really stood out or left a lasting impression. Promise and Kator had decent chemistry, but nothing unforgettable.

I will give props to Favor (Susan Pwajok), who played Promise’s younger sister. She brought something refreshing and real to the screen. Also, Mayowa (Uti Nwachukwu) did good, he was the one who truly carried the film. He gave it heart and depth, even when the script didn’t.

Storyline & Plot Execution

This is where the film struggled the most.

First off, the title “A Lagos Love Story” felt misleading. The film wasn’t really about Lagos, and it wasn’t truly a love story. It was more about two sisters navigating loss, responsibility, and memory trying to save their family home and preserve the legacy it held. A stronger title would have honored that central theme.

Some major gaps I noticed:

• Promise’s storyline was poorly developed and, ironically, overshadowed by Favor’s subplot, which felt more complete and slightly compelling.

• The relationship between Fadekemi and Achike hinted something deeper, but we never got to see anything about them. Their dynamic felt rushed and undercooked.

• There was little to no buildup in the supposed romance. One minute Promise and Kator dislike each other, next thing they’re kissing, next they are not on speaking terms and then boom, 20 million naira is handed over to her family like it’s spare change.

• The transitions between scenes and storytelling was weak. We went from a yacht to an event we knew nothing about. Scenes lacked flow and connection, and the storytelling felt scattered.

• They also introduced elements that felt like they were meant to carry some significance but were never followed through. For example, Fadekemi’s PA handed Promise a hair-clip, an action that seemed important in the moment, but we never got any explanation or payoff for it.

Also… can we talk about how Promise was kind of the weapon fashioned against Kator? She was chaotic, and while that could’ve been interesting, they failed to explore or embrace it. Instead, we were fed this idea that she was his peace. It didn’t track.

Direction & Production Quality

Direction was just as inconsistent as the story. It felt like the director, writer, and casts didn’t have aligned expectations. Some scenes felt like everyone was interpreting the script differently. The camera work also didn’t help, angles and cuts failed to capture key emotional beats or heighten any tension. A lot of scenes lacked the visual clarity to tell the story they were aiming for.

Other thoughts

I saw someone on Twitter say we shouldn’t take the movie too seriously because it’s meant to be “feel good.” I get that. But feel good doesn’t mean you don’t try.

You can absolutely create a lighthearted film with solid storytelling, thoughtful direction, and characters we care about. This just felt like a missed opportunity to do both.

Also side note: was Kator supposed to be Asake? 👀 Because I couldn’t shake the feeling. It’s like Asake with more budget wiggle room 😂

Final Thoughts

“A Lagos Love Story” ended up feeling like a shallow attempt at drama and romance. It didn’t give enough depth to its characters, didn’t respect its own storyline, and ultimately failed to deliver on both the “Lagos” and the “love story”.

If you’re watching purely for the vibes or a weekend afternoon background movie, it might work. But if you’re looking for a well-constructed story? You might want to skip this one.