NewStats: 3,263,826 , 8,181,525 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 06:55 AM 3ne26

Hello Nairaland,


It is a season to be merry, for the birth of Christ is upon us, and in the spirit of this celebration, Jade Osiberu's much anticipated movie, Christmas in Lagos, dropped on Friday, the 20th of December, on Prime. This is one of, a surprisingly decent number of Christmas-themed movies Nollywood has dropped in 2024 on various streaming platforms, and is, quite possibly, the most anticipated of them all.

So, without further ado, let's delve into the world of Lagos' Christmas, and hope it is somewhat better than Naija's Christmas, as introduced to us by Netflix. Here goes:

Movie Title: Christmas in Lagos


Cast:
Teniola Aladese
Shalom C. Obiago
Raixy Ojo
Ladipoe
Shaffy Bello
Wale Ojo
Richard Mofe-Damijo
Angel Anosike
Obinna Okenwa
Ebele Okaro
Ejike Asiegbu

Run Time: 2 hours.

Directed and Written By: Jade Osiberu


Plot:
Multiple people navigate love lives and relationships during the Christmas season, in the busy city of Lagos.

Review:

So, the premise of this movie is that we're in Christmas season in the bustling city of Lagos, and our lead, FiyinFoluwa (Aladese), is off to pick up her cousin and her bestie. Right off the jump, we're introduced to the chaos that is Lagos; traffic, street vendors and the likes, but that is just one ingredient to what Christmas is in Lagos. So, let's throw in the other relevant ingredients, because what is Christmas in Lagos without our much beloved IJGBs( I just got back)? Cue Fiyin's cousin, Ivie (Raixy Ojo), and the bestie she's pining over, Elozonam (Obiago), Ivie is coming in from London, and Elozonam, who Fiyin is quite certain will be back to initiate a long-awaited relationship that should lead to the altar, is back from the US. Fiyin's plans to finally lock in on that future marriage to Elozonam is however, rudely cut short, by the awaiting groom himself, Elozonam, as he reveals he has, in fact, decided to propose to a girlfriend he had kept away from Fiyin's knowledge, Yagazie (Anosike). Shocked as she is, Fiyin is quite certain she can get Elo back on track with their plans to finally wed each other after "sowing their wild oats". Yagazie is no more than a bump on the road.

Away from Fiyin's story, we have another love story in this movie, between Mummy Fiyin, Gbemi (Bello), and her love interests; the wealthy, charming, three-time divorcee, Zachariah Dozie (RMD), an old flame who is bent on reigniting the fire that burned between them, and her current man, the less affluent, but rather endearing, Toye (Wale Ojo). Two men vie for Mummy Fiyin's heart, and she has to decide where her heart lies.

In the midst of all this, there is another love story, between our London cousin Ivie (Raixy Ojo), and Okada man delivery guy, Ajani (Ladipoe), who moonlights as a guitarist at the end of the day's job. And then in the thick of all this, there is another unfolding story between Ajani's guy and colleague in the dispatch riding industry, Chisom (Okenwa), who has something of a teasing relationship with the maid who works in Fiyin's house, Ladi.

I know, I know, that's quite a number of stories to follow up on...well, that's why this movie is 2-hours long. So, now that we have all the important pieces on the vision board, let's get into what worked for this.

The first thing that stood out for me in this movie, has to be the beautiful assembly of brown-skinned goodness. Every time the camera turned, there was a chocolate and caramel wonder to behold. Jedi Jedi nearly finish me. From Fiyin to Ivie, Elo to Yagazie, Ajani to Toye, and my oh my, did Chisom not look especially sumptuous! Ah ah! The casting director was in their bag with this one, even the acts that were just cameos, looked good enough to eat (Saga, call me )

And speaking of bags, whatever Prime dropped on this movie, must have been heavier than Abacha's loot, because budget where? Aesthetics choke! From the settings, to the props, and the fashion...ooh the fashion, I just dey see dollar signs everywhere. Rolls Royce o, designer wears o, mansion o, performances from Ayra Starr, Wurld, AG Baby, Waje, even Loud...a pretty penny was spent on this movie, and E show like mad. It really was luxury or nothing.

But away from things of the world, another thing that was nice to see in this movie, was the relationship Gbemi (Bello) and Fiyin (Aledese) had. It was a healthy, respectful, mother-daughter relationship. There was no air of authority or jealousy, and I enjoyed seeing some of their interactions. Ebele Okaro as Elozonam's mother, also worked in this movie, her performance was good, as usual, but the scene where she walked in on Elozonam (Obiago) and his dad fixing Christmas trees? That scene really took it for me, great acting there. The triangle involving Gbemi, Zachariah and Toye was also an interesting watch. Nollywood doesn't really touch on romance with older people (dem no dey even touch on am at all), so, seeing Gbemi get her groove on, and be wooed by two silver foxes was quite entertaining.

Rounding off on what worked in this movie, the music was so good. It explored various Nigerian genres, showcasing the depth of music available to us, and attaching these songs to part of our cultural heritage. I liked how they used Buju's Feelin' in the opening scenes, and really enjoyed the infusion of Taves' Folake as Ajani and Ivie took a ride on a bike, but there was also tracks from Femi Kuti, Bright Chimezie and Flavour, not to mention the cameos from AG Baby, Aura and Wurld. In all, the music was well done.

On that note, it's time to get into what did not work. For all the glitz and glam, Christmas In Lagos, is another movie that may have fallen into a very familiar pot with Nollywood, where the glam is expected to blind you from some of the loopholes, but you still see them. In the case of this movie, one loophole I saw, is a recurring issue with Nollywood. The pidgin.

Please, at this point, I don't know if the issue is that the pidgin is not being written well in the script, or the actors are not familiar enough with the language, but the pidgin in this movie felt forced once again. Everytime RMD's character used it, it felt like listening to an IJGB trying to fit in. I really don't know what the issue is, but perhaps, everyone should stick to normal English until they can come correct with the pidgin.

Speaking of IJGBs, another thing this movie seemed to lack, was authenticity. We were told it's supposed to be a RomCom, but the -Com no just come. I could see the efforts at infusing humour, but, nothing hit. If anything, a lot of it felt forced, and do you know why? Because this entire movie, felt like something someone who lives abroad would write about Nigeria;

IJGB babe from London, going on a date with delivery man/guitarist on his Okada? Not powerbike o, Ajani pulled up on an Okada, not even the Boxer brand, na that Chachanji kain Okada, and the babe just went to change her outfit, so, she'd be ready to ride, as per adventure. Then, Elo's babe, Yagazie, is an epidemiologist, set to accept an offer at John Hopkins. Elo still get American accent in all this o. And let me not even get into Zachariah and his extravagance while wooing Gbemi. It was like watching a movie that was written by a second generation Nigerian woman who had been to Lagos once when she was 15, and wanted to introduce her city to the Western world in the most appealing way possible while "staying true to its authenticity", so, basically, if Yvonne Orji wrote a movie script.

I felt like I was watching a movie set in Nigeria, with Nigerian actors, but no actual Nigerian spirit.

Some of the plotlines didn't even make sense tbh. What do you mean you planned a big wedding, complete with a wedding hall, an international chef, and AG Baby as a performing act in a week. For this Lagos? Lagos wey halls dey dey booked months before? You come see free hall to do shotgun wedding ON CHRISTMAS DAY? Chelsea come on now! On top of that, make we even gree say your money long and s are longer, you now did a whole Naija wedding WITHOUT SMALL CHOPS? Chelsea come on now! You made small chops an after thought because the hors d'oeuvres couldn't make it, then, conveniently found a vendor that could do sharp sharp chops for delivery on the night of an ongoing wedding? Chelsea, come on now!

The curse of the Third Act fell upon Aunty Jade, and even though the story had been fighting valiantly for authenticity the entire time, that third act put it to the sword and made a mess of it. In the end, we could only hold on to Waje's awesome pipes and a plethora of lethal face cards.

Christmas in Lagos, is another Nollywood movie where the glam may have overwhelmed the story. Some of the love stories were good, some may have been overkill. Still, it is a decent watch on a lazy day. Go in with no expectations.

Rating: 5.7/10


Have you seen Christmas in Lagos? What did you like about it and what did you not like?q

PS: Fiyin's outfit for Ayra Starr's concert was fire! Ayra would be proud.

I'm not sure we watched the same movie but this movie was mediocre. I rate it 3/10 and I'm being generous.

I will like to watch it

Where can I watch it?

Ok

I just saw the trailer and simply shook my head...!

Who actually writes these stories and scripts?!!

Let's even start from there.

You wrote all this and ended with 5/10

Rubbish movie

daveP:
You wrote all this and ended with 5/10

Chai

Wetin be this?

All these kind movie..

Naso dem go dey fake accent..

Nah why I no dey into them like that..

Muric bastards are coming for you. Akintola and his gangs will soon start wailing that Sanwoolu want to Christianize LAGOS. Hopeless man

ing by

.

Beautiful people, great picture quality but the storyline was predictable...reminds me of "the wedding planner" movie

With all the long epistle you still rate it 5. Which means it's not worth watching. I will rather re- watch seven doors or Afamefuna then. I just saw another review 6.5 hmmmm I will arrest you if I regret watching the movie.

rentAcock:
I'm not sure we watched the same movie but this movie was mediocre. I rate it 3/10 and I'm being generous.

Of course, how can you associate Christmas with all these shenanigans in Lagos and turn it into the dumb fake love life of genz !!

The title and the plot is contradictory

geoworldedu:
Where can I watch it?

Pls don't waste ur data, the movie is gab. Instead use ur data to watch xvideos

daveP:
You wrote all this and ended with 5/10

Yes, I could have even written more than this, in explaining why I wnded up with 5.7/10.

Everything was pretty, but the storyline had too many loopholes

Who dy watch Nigeria film for 2024?

Gone are those days of Sam Loko, Mr. Ibu, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwor, Aki n Pawpaw, Jim Iyke n their likes.. Na then I watch 9ja film last. Not this bunch of boring movies dy produce nowadays.

U myt not agree with me, but Nollywood is jst banking on old glories, jst gv me d title I go write d storyline of d movie gv u without watching it.

safarigirl:


Yes, I could have even written more than this, in explaining why I wnded up with 5.7/10.

Everything was pretty, but the storyline had too many loopholes

Okay then. I'll check it out. I hope mine isn't lower though. 😂

Hope it's not another rubbish movie like 'gangs of Lagos'.. all these yeye nollywood producers.

Nigeria movies are the best in Africa in of quality story and production

.
From chief daddy to whatever, Naija movie na just to splash am with glam, and phoney accents.

There's one I'm actually looking for Shaa. I don't know the name but this is the plot.

Guy from Enugu who's in the US army, is to come home to marry his babe, who's Yoruba.

The guy's brothers and the girl go to market in Lagos where they get into a fight with a group of agberos. In the process, one of the thugs gets stabbed. He would later die at the hospital.

The victim's brother who is also a thug requests payment or he will take revenge. He gets his payment but still goes to Enugu with his guys and kidnaps the bride on the wedding day. He would later be killed and the bride rescued.

Note that mentioning tribe is just to make one , there was nothing tribalism in the movie. When the Igbo brothers are discussing, they use Igbo, likewise the Yoruba siblings. And that's normal in Nigeria.

If you know the name of this movie, tell me the name ejo, biko, abeg.

Legit rubbish movie. Couldn't finish washing. Don't waste your time on it.