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Funke Akindele’s latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, now streaming on Prime Video, brings back one of Nigeria’s most beloved characters, Jenifa, in a 2025 iteration of her iconic story. The star-studded cast includes Funke Akindele herself, Folarin Falana (Falz), Bisola Aiyeola, Stan Nze, Nancy Isime, Omawunmi Dada, Paschaline Alex, Tobi Makinde, Patience Ozokwo, Jide Kosoko, Jackie Appiah, Destiny Etiko, Chinenye Nnebe, among others.
As a long-time fan of Funke Akindele and women-led projects in Nollywood, I approached this film with high expectations. While the movie delivers laughs and entertainment, it falls short in terms of narrative cohesion and character development.
The story centers on Jenifa navigating life’s challenges while touching on themes such as domestic violence, entrepreneurship, humanitarian work, true friendship, and the fight against drug peddling. Yet, despite these important topics, some plotlines remain unresolved. For instance, what became of Lobster—was he prosecuted, or is he still at large? And characters like Angel felt extraneous, adding little to the central narrative and lacking authenticity.
Despite these shortcomings, Everybody Loves Jenifa shines through its comedic elements, largely thanks to Funke Akindele’s iconic portrayal. Her mastery of Jenifa’s distinctive broken English remains a highlight, making every scene she appears in memorable and hilarious. The film balances nostalgia with evolution, giving audiences a 2025 version of Jenifa that is both familiar and refreshed.
Bisola Aiyeola stands out as Madam Bassey, delivering a phenomenal performance. Her consistent portrayal of the character—from the disfigured lip to her intonations and flawless Queen’s English—anchors the film and showcases raw talent. Her scenes, including the memorable police station moment where Jenifa’s retorts shine, exemplify why she is the heartbeat of the film.
Other notable performances include Toyo Baby, whose character’s obsession with public piety contrasted with her private actions added depth and humor. Meanwhile, the cinematography during the Eko Festival sequence was a visual treat, featuring vibrant costumes, dynamic dancers, and an impressive cameo from Lagbada. However, some cameos, like those of Hilda Baci and Veekee James, were too brief and underutilized, missing an opportunity to enhance the film’s skill acquisition theme through the Jenifa Foundation subplot.
The film’s comedy is at its strongest in moments of timing and dialogue, like Rex interrupting prayers to deliver unexpected news, which reminded viewers of the chaos of real-life situations. The friendship between Jenifa, Mimi, and Cordi also adds heart to the narrative, even if certain backstories, like Mimi’s affluent lifestyle, remain unexplored.
In conclusion, Everybody Loves Jenifa delivers on entertainment but struggles with narrative clarity and depth. While the all-star cast and Funke Akindele’s commanding presence make it enjoyable, the film leaves too many loose ends and unnecessary characters to be considered fully cohesive.
⭐Verdict: Funke Akindele remains a queen in her lane, and the film is undoubtedly entertaining, but Everybody Loves Jenifa is more hype than substance. Perfect for laughs, but don’t expect complete narrative satisfaction.
See trailer below…
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