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Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
The New Face of Nollywood Melodrama
Nollywood has long been obsessed with the "womb watch"—that societal pressure on women to produce heirs at all costs. But in the 2025 release RISE WITH ME, director and writer take this familiar trope and plug it into the high-voltage socket of the Nigerian music industry. Starring the ever-reliable Jide Awobona and the emotionally resonant Anike Ami, this film isn't just about a marriage under siege; it’s a commentary on the transactional nature of fame and the blurred lines between biological and emotional motherhood.
As a veteran analyst of Nigerian cinema, I’ve seen countless "barrenness" stories, but RISE WITH ME attempts something more modern. It strips away the stereotypical "wicked mother-in-law" trope and replaces it with a more insidious villain: the thirst for "clout" and the ghosts of an unresolved past.
Cinematography: Capturing the Glow and the Gloom
Visually, RISE WITH ME sits comfortably in the "New Nollywood" aesthetic. The cinematography moves fluidly between the sterile, clinical brightness of the fertility clinic and the moody, neon-soaked intimacy of Zane’s music studio.
The use of close-ups is particularly effective here. In scenes where Fizzy (Anike Ami) receives devastating news about her IVF failures, the camera lingers on her face, capturing the minute tremors of her lips and the dulling of her eyes. It’s a "cinematic" touch that elevates the film above the flat, "TV-style" lighting often found in lower-budget Yoruba-English crossovers. However, the film occasionally falls into the trap of over-relying on wide shots during heavy dialogue scenes in the living room, making some moments feel a bit like a stage play.
The color grading deserves a nod—warm, golden hues during the couple's hopeful moments transition into colder, desaturated blues as the betrayal of Queen Bam begins to tear their world apart. It’s a subtle visual shorthand that guides the audience's emotional state without being overbearing.
Sound Design & The Pulse of Afrobeats
In a film centered around a music producer and a pop star, the sound design is a character in itself. The audibility is crisp—a significant improvement over many YouTube-first releases where dialogue often gets drowned out by poorly leveled background tracks.
The music, a blend of contemporary Afrobeats and soulful underscores, is timed perfectly. When Queen Bam is in the studio, the bass is heavy, aggressive, and seductive, mirroring her disruptive presence. In contrast, the silence used during Fizzy’s moments of solitude speaks volumes. My only gripe? The "diss track" subplot could have used a more punchy, chart-topping caliber song to truly sell the idea of a national scandal. At times, the "hit song" sounded a bit like stock music, which slightly broke the immersion of the high-stakes music industry setting.
Costume and Production Design: Dressing the Part
The costume department understood the assignment. Jide Awobona’s Zane is dressed in the "cool producer" starter pack—think relaxed linens and stylish jewelry—while Queen Bam is draped in high-glam, slightly eccentric outfits that scream "diva."
The authenticity of the production design shines in the contrast between the home and the studio. The home is a sanctuary of soft textures and family photos, while the studio is a cold, professional space where business and pleasure dangerously overlap. The makeup, especially the "distress makeup" on Ami during her medical struggles, was realistic—avoiding the Nollywood cliché of women waking up with full lashes and red lipstick after a surgery.
Narrative Structure: A Slow Burn with a Sharp Turn
The film’s structure follows a traditional three-act arc but with a distinct Nigerian pacing. The opening hook—the medical diagnosis—is immediate, pulling the audience into Fizzy’s desperation.
The use of the "studio affair" as the inciting incident for the second act was handled with more nuance than expected. It wasn't just a "cheat for cheating's sake" moment; it was framed as a moment of extreme emotional vulnerability for Zane, who was crumbling under the weight of his wife’s grief. While the pacing drags slightly in the middle—with one too many scenes of Zane looking guiltily at his phone—the third-act time jump (8 years later) re-energizes the plot.
The resolution, which avoids the typical "violent confrontation" and instead leans into a shared understanding of motherhood, is perhaps the film's most "prestige" narrative choice. It respects the characters' growth rather than seeking a cheap, sensationalist ending.
Plot Logic: The ‘Clout’ Culture Critique
Where RISE WITH ME truly shines is in its social commentary. The film explores how Queen Bam uses her affair and her child not out of love, but as "content." In the age of Instagram blogs and TikTok exposés, this feels incredibly timely.
However, there are minor plot holes. The ease with which Queen Bam abandons a child at a doorstep and disappears for nearly a decade, only to return with legal standing, feels a bit "script-convenient." In a real Nigerian legal context, the abandonment would have much harsher repercussions. But for the sake of the melodrama, the audience is asked to suspend disbelief—and for the most part, we do.
Performance Analysis: The Awobona-Ami Chemistry
Jide Awobona delivers a controlled, grounded performance. He manages to make Zane empathetic despite his betrayal, a feat that requires a delicate touch. You see the conflict in his posture; he is a man caught between the woman he loves and the ego-stroke of his past.
Anike Ami is the emotional heartbeat of the film. Her portrayal of a woman navigating the "silent grief" of infertility and the loud pain of betrayal is masterful. She doesn't overact; she allows the pain to simmer.
The supporting cast, particularly Akeem Ogara, provides the necessary friction. The language delivery—a seamless blend of polished English and occasional Yoruba inflections—reflects the modern Lagos middle-class reality perfectly. It feels lived-in, not scripted.
Thematic Depth: What Does It Mean to Be a Mother?
The core theme of RISE WITH ME is the deconstruction of motherhood. Is it the blood (Queen Bam) or the "doing" (Fizzy)? By the end of the film, the narrative argues that motherhood is an act of service and sacrifice.
The film also touches on the "Sunk Cost Fallacy" in Nigerian marriages—how much pain should a woman endure to keep her home? Fizzy’s decision to stay and raise her husband's love child is a controversial one that will likely spark heated debates in Nigerian living rooms and on "Nollywood Twitter." It reflects a complex reality of forgiveness that many films shy away from.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Data?
RISE WITH ME is a solid, emotionally intelligent drama that proves Nollywood can handle "small" stories with "big" heart. While it suffers from some typical pacing issues and a few narrative shortcuts, the performances and the cultural relevance make it a standout in the 2025 catalog.
It’s a film that asks us: If you had to choose between your pride and a child that isn't yours, which would you pick?
Who should watch this?
Fans of intense family dramas like Blood Sisters.
Anyone interested in a realistic (if dramatized) look at the Nigerian music industry.
Couples looking for a "conversation starter" movie about trust and forgiveness.
Final Thought: Don’t go into this expecting an action-packed thriller. Go into it for the performances. Anike Ami and Jide Awobona have set a high bar for chemistry this year.
Call-to-Watch: Stream RISE WITH ME on YouTube now. Grab your tissues, lock your doors, and prepare for a rollercoaster that feels a little too close to home.
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