Movie Review: My Mother Is A Witch – A Powerful Tale Hindered by Execution Flaws

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Streaming on Kava.Tv, My Mother Is A Witch is a Nollywood drama that explores the complexities of familial relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters. Featuring Timini Egbuson, Efe Irele, and Mercy Aigbe, the film follows a young woman who is deceived into returning from London to Nigeria for her mother’s funeral, only to confront long-buried pain and unresolved issues from her past.

At its core, the movie delves into themes such as parental cruelty, unhealed trauma, protection masked as harshness, reconciliation, and forgiveness. It raises the question of how much parental actions, even when intended for protection, can cause lasting damage, and whether true reconciliation is ever fully possible. These are complex and weighty themes, and the film deserves credit for attempting to address them.

One of the most striking aspects of My Mother Is A Witch is its setting in Edo State, which provides the story with cultural authenticity and richness. The local backdrop, combined with Edo-language scenes, gives the film a sense of place that feels grounded and genuine. Unfortunately, some viewers may find the lack of subtitles during these Edo-language sections frustrating. While some users on the platform reportedly had access to subtitles, my own experience was different, leaving me worried that I might have missed important nuances in the dialogue.

In terms of casting, the film largely succeeds. Efe Irele and Mercy Aigbe deliver compelling performances, bringing depth and emotional complexity to their roles. Their portrayals make the mother-daughter dynamic believable and engaging. The film deserves praise for avoiding the temptation to turn the narrative into a conventional love story, keeping its focus squarely on the relationship at the center of the plot.

However, the film is not without its shortcomings. The video quality on the streaming platform frequently faltered, with scenes going in and out of focus, which distracted from the overall experience. Additionally, some plot points felt unconvincing or underdeveloped. For instance, a scene involving a falling passport lacked dramatic weight, and the rain scene felt visually inconsistent, as the characters did not appear to get wet despite being caught in heavy rain. Such technical and narrative issues detract from the emotional impact of the story.

The resolution of the film also left something to be desired. The transition from rage and pain to forgiveness felt abrupt, and the mother’s apology for her cruelty was either understated or absent, which made the reconciliation seem less earned. While her sacrifices later in the story are acknowledged, they do little to erase years of harshness and emotional trauma. For some viewers, including myself, this makes the conclusion feel rushed and somewhat unsatisfying.

Despite these flaws, the movie remains thematically powerful. It encourages viewers to reflect on the lasting impact of parental decisions, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the possibility of healing broken relationships. The performances, setting, and focus on family dynamics elevate the film, even when technical execution falters.

On a final note, the title, My Mother Is A Witch, feels misleading. While it certainly grabs attention, it may give the wrong impression about the story’s true focus, which is more about complex emotional and familial struggles than literal witchcraft.

Overall, My Mother Is A Witch is a thoughtful exploration of mother-daughter relationships and unresolved trauma. While its execution suffers from technical issues, pacing problems, and some unconvincing scenes, the core story is compelling and resonates on an emotional level. With stronger editing and a more polished resolution, it could have been even more impactful.

Rating: 7/10

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