"Ade Iwa": Mustapha Jayeola's Witchcraft Curse Saga Delivers Thrills But Stumbles on Polish
#AdeIwaMovie #NollywoodReview #YorubaCinema2026
Overall Rating: ……………………….. (4/5)
The Crown of Character: Why Ade Iwa is the
Conversation Starter of the Season
In the bustling landscape of 2026 Nollywood, where
high-octane thrillers and glossy Lagos-glam rom-coms often dominate the
trending charts, there is something profoundly grounding about a film that
dares to pivot back to the fundamentals of human nature. Ade Iwa, the
latest offering from the stable of Mustapha Jayeola, is not just a movie; it is
a moral mirror.
As a veteran analyst who has watched the Yoruba sector of
Nollywood evolve from the VHS "home video" era to the 4K streaming
giants of today, I found Ade Iwa to be a refreshing bridge between the
two worlds. It possesses the soul and didactic weight of the classics produced
by the likes of Tunde Kelani, yet it is packaged with the technical finesse
expected by a globalized 2026 audience.
The title itself—which translates to "The Crown of
Character"—sets the stage for a narrative exploration of the age-old
Yoruba proverb: “Iwa l’ewa” (Character is beauty). In a world obsessed
with outward success, Jayeola and director Tunde Ola Yusuf ask us a pointed
question: What is a man if his internal compass is broken?
Visual Storytelling: Beyond the 'TV-Style' Aesthetic
One of the most immediate critiques of contemporary Yoruba
drama is the tendency to fall into "flat" cinematography—where every
scene looks like a news broadcast. Ade Iwa breaks this mold early.
Cinematography and Lighting
The camera work by the cinematography team displays a
deliberate intentionality. We see a sophisticated use of medium close-ups
during the film’s high-tension dialogues, particularly in the scenes featuring
Yomi Fash Lanso. By tightening the frame, the director forces the audience to
sit with the characters’ discomfort.
The lighting consistency deserves a shout-out. Often,
Nollywood productions struggle with "power-light" issues—harsh,
artificial white light that washes out skin tones. In Ade Iwa, the
interior scenes are bathed in warmer, more naturalistic hues that reflect the
mood of a Nigerian home. The night shoots, often a graveyard for low-budget
productions, are handled with enough depth and shadow to maintain a cinematic
visual mood without losing the actors to the darkness.
The Visual Mood
There is a specific scene at the 01:13:00 mark where the
visual storytelling peaks. The use of shadows and the positioning of the
protagonist in a corner of the room visually represent his mental entrapment.
It’s these small, non-verbal cues that elevate Ade Iwa from a
"televised play" to a genuine piece of cinema.
Soundscapes: The Harmony of Language and Score
In the past, the "Nollywood sound" was synonymous
with intrusive soundtracks that narrated the plot before the actors could
speak. Thankfully, Ade Iwa exercises commendable restraint.
-
Dialogue Clarity: The audio is crisp. In
a language-heavy film like this, where the nuances of Yoruba proverbs and
Pidgin interjections are vital, the microphone quality ensures that no subtext
is lost.
-
The Score: The music is used as an
emotional punctuation mark rather than a continuous background noise. The
cultural appropriateness of the music cues—utilizing traditional Yoruba
percussive undertones during moments of moral crisis—adds a layer of
authenticity that a generic stock orchestral track never could.
-
Ambient Sound: The production team did a
fair job of managing Nigeria’s notorious environmental noise. While you might
catch the faint, unavoidable hum of life in the background, it never competes
with the lead actors' delivery.
Production Design: The Authenticity of the Nigerian Home
The production design in Ade Iwa succeeds because it
feels lived-in. The costumes, curated for Mustapha Jayeola and Adejoke Jayeola,
perfectly communicate their social standing without being "loud."
We see the transition of status through the wardrobe—the
crispness of the Agbada in public vs. the relatability of the
"house clothes." This attention to detail extends to the set design.
The houses aren't just sterile mansions; they have the clutter and character of
real Nigerian households. This realism anchors the spiritual and moral themes
of the movie, making the stakes feel personal rather than metaphorical.
Narrative Structure: A Slow Burn with a Sharp Sting
The story follows a classic trajectory but is peppered with
modern complexities. The opening hook establishes a core philosophy: a man’s
longevity is tied to his peace of mind. This serves as the "Thesis
Statement" of the film.
Pacing and Subplots
While many Nollywood films suffer from "The Middle
Sag"—where subplots drag on to hit the two-hour mark—Ade Iwa
manages its 1 hour and 52 minutes reasonably well. There are moments in the
second act where the domestic arguments feel repetitive, but these are salvaged
by the escalating tension of the "hidden secrets."
The Use of Flashbacks
The film utilizes flashbacks not just as a tool for
exposition, but as a psychological deep dive. These sequences are edited with a
distinct color grade, ensuring the audience is never confused about the
timeline—a simple but often overlooked technical necessity in the industry.
Character Analysis: A Masterclass in Emotional Depth
The Veterans: Yomi Fash Lanso and Tunde Ola Yusuf
Yomi Fash Lanso remains one of the most underrated titans of
the industry. In Ade Iwa, he delivers a performance rooted in gravitas.
He doesn't need to shout to command a scene; his silence is just as
communicative. Tunde Ola Yusuf, pulling double duty as director and actor,
brings a seasoned "Old Guard" energy that provides the film with its
moral backbone.
The Leads: Mustapha and Adejoke Jayeola
Mustapha Jayeola carries the weight of the film’s
protagonist with a convincing blend of ambition and vulnerability. His
chemistry with Adejoke Jayeola is the engine of the movie. Their interactions
feel like a real marriage—messy, affectionate, and fraught with the
"unspoken."
Language Delivery
The code-switching between formal Yoruba, street-slang, and
English is handled masterfully. It reflects the reality of the modern Nigerian
middle class. When a character switches from English to deep Yoruba, you know
the situation has moved from "civil" to "critical."
Thematic Weight: The "Iwa" Factor
At its core, the film is a social commentary on the erosion
of values in a chase for "The Nigerian Dream." It touches on:
- Integrity
vs. Image: How much of our "good character" is just a
performance for society?
- The
Spiritual Debt: Without leaning too heavily into the "juju"
tropes of 90s Nollywood, the film suggests that actions have a spiritual
harvest.
- Gender
Roles: It explores the burden placed on men to be
"providers" and the psychological toll of failing that
expectation.
Plot Logic and Gaps: The Minor Cracks
No film is perfect. Ade Iwa occasionally falls into
the trap of the "Sudden Resolution." After nearly two hours of
intricate conflict, the ending feels slightly rushed, as if the production ran
out of shooting days. There are also a couple of supporting character arcs—particularly
the "office colleagues"—that feel a bit like filler and don't
significantly impact the final climax.
However, these are minor gripes in an otherwise tightly
woven narrative.
The Verdict: A Must-Watch for the Soul
Ade Iwa is a triumph for Mustapha Jayeola. It proves
that you don't need a 500-million-naira budget or 20 locations in Dubai to tell
a story that resonates. You just need a deep understanding of the human heart
and a respect for the craft.
It is a film that will make you look at your partner, your
parents, and most importantly, yourself, with a bit more scrutiny. It reminds
us that while money can buy a crown, only character (Iwa) can make you
royalty.
Who should watch this? Couples looking for a "dinner and a
movie" conversation starter.
-
Fans of classic Yoruba dramas who miss the depth
of the 90s but want 2026 visuals.
-
Anyone who believes that Nollywood's greatest
strength lies in its storytelling, not just its spectacle.
Summary Table
|
Category |
Score |
Notes |
|
Acting |
4.5/5 |
Stellar performances by the veterans and leads. |
|
Cinematography |
3.5/5 |
Clean, intentional, and atmospheric. |
|
Story Originality |
3.8/5 |
Familiar themes handled with fresh nuance. |
|
Sound & Music |
4.0/5 |
Respectful of the dialogue; culturally resonant. |
Call to Watch: Head over to the Yorubaplus
YouTube channel and give this a watch. It’s a rare gem that honors our heritage
while embracing our future. Don't forget to drop a comment on the
"confession" scene—we need to talk about that!
#NollywoodTimes
#AdeIwaMovie
#NollywoodReview
#YorubaCinema2026
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