A Spiritual Thriller That Ripped My Heart Out and Put Me on My Knees.
Section 1: The Verdict & The Viral Hook
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Reviewer Persona |
Expertise |
Target Audience |
Overall Rating (Out of 5) |
Genre |
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Nollywood Critic & Analyst |
Thematic & Performance Breakdown |
Lovers of High-Stakes Spiritual Drama |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Domestic Melodrama / Spiritual Thriller |
Overall Verdict (Pre-Summary): NO MORE PEACE (2025) is a grueling, yet ultimately redemptive, cinematic odyssey that takes the familiar Nollywood "wicked stepmother" trope and elevates it with chilling spiritual realism and a career-defining performance from Ekene Umenwa.
The Nigerian film industry thrives on drama, and few themes cut deeper into the collective conscience than the plight of an innocent child suffering at the hands of a malicious guardian. NO MORE PEACE, directed by the prolific Nnamdi Anyanwu, doesn't just tap into this vein—it drills right to the bone. Clocking in at over two hours, this film is not for the faint of heart, but for those who endure, the reward is a powerful, cathartic resolution that validates every tear shed during the narrative. This isn't just a movie; it's a prayer request made manifest.
Section 2: The Narrative Grip and Thematic Weight
The Core Conflict: Captivity in the Home
The movie immediately establishes its central tragedy: the systematic abuse of young Somto (played with heartbreaking vulnerability by a newcomer child actor) by her stepmother, Juliet (Ekene Umenwa). What sets this film apart is that the conflict is not merely domestic; it is spiritual.
Juliet’s cruelty is shown not as simple malice, but as an orchestrated, ritualistic destruction. The early scenes are masterclasses in tension: Somto is forced to drink water that has been used to wash Juliet's feet, marking her initial descent into spiritual and physical bondage. The emotional weight of these scenes is immense, and while some critics might label them as melodramatic, they serve a crucial purpose in Nollywood storytelling: establishing the high stakes of supernatural warfare. The film effectively argues that some domestic disputes are battles fought not in the kitchen, but in the spiritual realm.
Pacing: A Long Journey to Redemption
At 140 minutes, the film is long, but Nnamdi Anyanwu uses this time effectively. The first hour is dedicated entirely to the escalating abuse and the father's (Maleek Milton as Mr. George) seemingly unbreakable, charm-induced obliviousness. This slow burn is necessary to make the eventual rescue feel earned.
The pacing shifts dramatically during the film's midpoint when Friday (Tcharles Ozuruigbo) stumbles upon the crisis. From there, the narrative picks up speed, transitioning from a domestic drama into a race against time, culminating in an intense spiritual confrontation in the final act.
Themes: Wickedness, Charms, and the Church
NO MORE PEACE is a deep dive into the classic Nollywood trope of the Wicked Stepmother. Ekene Umenwa’s Juliet is purely, unapologetically villainous. She offers zero nuance, which, paradoxically, makes her compelling. She is the physical manifestation of the spiritual sickness plaguing the home.
The film excels in depicting the blending of the supernatural with the mundane. The 'charm' (or juju) used by Juliet—a powder mixed into food, a fetish hidden in the ceiling—is treated with chilling realism. This reflects a significant cultural belief system where the spiritual directly impacts daily life.
The ultimate theme, however, is liberation from spiritual captivity. Mr. George’s paternal negligence is explicitly shown to be a side effect of the charm. When the spell is broken, his grief and rage are palpable, providing the necessary moral pivot for the audience. The film, in its final scenes, powerfully champions prayer and faith as the only force capable of destroying the powers of darkness.
Plot Mechanics: The Convenient Saviors
The introduction of Rebecca (the kind shop owner) and Friday (the charismatic content creator) as the saviors is a classic narrative device. It is certainly convenient that they suddenly transform into agents of justice, but the film justifies it through their moral rectitude and connection to the church.
Friday's character, initially used for comic relief through his exaggerated social media antics, becomes the crucial link. His transition from lighthearted nuisance to a determined ally is the least believable jump, but Tcharles Ozuruigbo sells it with enough genuine conviction that the audience forgives the narrative shortcut. Their journey to a pastor who specializes in "family witchcraft" is the expected, satisfying payoff for this subgenre.
Section 3: Character & Performance Deep Dive
Ekene Umenwa as Juliet (The Antagonist)
This is the performance that will be talked about. Ekene Umenwa, often celebrated for her roles in romantic and light-hearted dramas, completely sheds that persona to embody the monstrous Juliet. Her performance is a chilling study in controlled sadism.
Key Scene Highlight: The moment Juliet forces Somto to stand motionless in the sun for two hours. Umenwa doesn't raise her voice; instead, she delivers her cruel commands with a sickly sweet smile, eyes glittering with cold malice. This restraint is far more effective than any loud screaming match. She makes the audience feel not just hatred, but a deep, visceral fear. Her ability to switch instantly from performing the role of a loving wife for her husband to a tormentor for Somto is masterful. This role solidifies Umenwa as a versatile actress capable of carrying a heavy, emotionally taxing film.
The Child Actor (Somto) & Maleek Milton (The Father)
The success of a film like this rests squarely on the shoulders of the child actor, and the young performer playing Somto (whose name, for ethical reasons, is often protected until wider release) is phenomenal. Her non-verbal communication—the wide, haunted eyes, the perpetually bowed head, the flinching movements—communicates a trauma that dialogue alone could not capture. The audience feels every lash and every tear because of her raw, unflinching portrayal of despair and resilience.
Maleek Milton, as the charmed father Mr. George, spends most of the film in a frustrating state of trance. Milton expertly conveys the confusion and detachment of a man whose will is not his own. The real acting challenge comes after his liberation: the scene where he collapses, weeping uncontrollably after seeing the evidence of his daughter's abuse, is a powerful moment of male vulnerability and deep regret. It's a performance that redeems the character from the audience's initial annoyance.
Tcharles Ozuruigbo as Friday (The Comic Relief)
Tcharles Ozuruigbo, known for his unique blend of physical comedy and street smarts, is perfectly cast as Friday, the neighbor who runs a local content studio. Friday’s presence acts as a crucial pressure release. His initial reactions to the family’s strange behavior are hilarious—often talking to his phone camera as if recording a skit—but he quickly evolves into the primary detective. While his comedic antics sometimes briefly feel discordant with the seriousness of the abuse, his energy prevents the film from becoming entirely suffocating.
Section 4: Technical & Production Review
Directing and Staging
Anyanwu’s direction is focused and effective. He masterfully stages the spiritual confrontation in the final 20 minutes. Instead of cheap CGI or over-the-top effects, he uses sharp cuts, intense sound design, and the actors’ sheer conviction during the prayer sequence. The scene where the charm is destroyed and Juliet’s spiritual source (a demonic entity in a mirror) manifests is genuinely frightening, relying on tight close-ups and dramatic lighting rather than expensive effects.
Cinematography and Sound
The cinematography, while typical of modern Nollywood (clean, bright aesthetics), uses selective lighting to enhance the mood. The interiors of George’s home are often brightly lit, contrasting jarringly with the dark actions taking place within, lending a sinister, almost daytime-horror feel.
The sound design is where the film excels. The subtle, echoing whispers that Mr. George hears whenever he tries to question Juliet, and the mournful background tracks during Somto’s suffering, are powerful emotional tools. The sound of the spiritual charm dissolving is rendered with a visceral, crackling intensity that signals a major narrative victory.
Editing: Trimming the Fat
While the film feels long, the editing is generally disciplined. The editors were careful not to dwell too long on the actual physical violence, focusing instead on the psychological trauma. A few scenes of Friday’s early social media recording could have been trimmed, but overall, the structure supports the extensive character arc required for the father’s spiritual awakening.
Section 5: Critical Conclusion & Call-to-Watch
NO MORE PEACE (2025) is a raw, emotional, and spiritually charged piece of cinema that delivers exactly what its target audience demands: high drama, clear moral boundaries, and a decisive victory of good over evil.
Significant Strengths:
Ekene Umenwa’s Performance: A terrifying, high-stakes portrayal of pure evil that will define her career.
Thematic Integrity: The film successfully grounds spiritual warfare in a contemporary domestic setting, making the conflict highly relatable within a Nigerian context.
The Child Actor: A heartbreaking, resonant performance that carries the emotional core of the film.
Significant Weaknesses:
The Deus Ex Machina: Rebecca and Friday’s sudden transformation into spiritual detectives feels rushed, though necessary for the plot.
Runtime: At over two hours, the film risks losing casual viewers, particularly during the prolonged period of the father's charmed inaction.
The Verdict: This movie is a powerful, if emotionally draining, experience. It is a triumphant example of a familiar Nollywood story executed with excellent direction and phenomenal central performances. It validates the audience’s belief in spiritual justice.
Recommendation & Call-to-Watch: If you are a fan of classic Nollywood spiritual thrillers like The Last Ritual or any film featuring Patience Ozokwor's iconic villainy, NO MORE PEACE is a must-watch. Watch it for Ekene Umenwa’s chilling masterclass and for the catharsis of seeing spiritual chains broken. Grab your popcorn, maybe a prayer mat, and prepare for a journey that will leave you exhausted, but ultimately uplifted.
Did Ekene Umenwa deserve an award for this role? Let us know in the comments!
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