"None of This Is True": Deyemi Okanlawon’s Masterclass in Deception Tears Nollywood Apart in 2026 Betrayal Epic
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Rating: ............ 3.5 / 5 Stars
By Chike Obi, NollywoodTimes.com
January 16, 2026
A Familiar Tale with a Toxic Twist
We have seen the "cheating husband" trope in Nollywood more times than we’ve seen red sand in an old village epic. However, None of This Is True—the latest 2026 release starring the ever-charismatic Deyemi Okanlawon and the emotive Bolaji Ogunmola—attempts to peel back the skin on the "side-chick" fantasy.
As a veteran of this industry, I’ve watched Nollywood evolve from the grainy VHS tapes of the 90s to the slick, high-definition streaming era we inhabit today. This film sits right in the middle of that evolution: it possesses the glossy sheen of modern Lagos cinematography but carries the raw, visceral "palpable anger" of a classic domestic drama. It asks a question that resonates deeply within the Nigerian social fabric: What happens when the "other woman" stops being a victim and starts being a wrecking ball?
1. Cinematography: Lagos Glamour vs. Domestic Claustrophobia
Visually, the film leans heavily into the "New Nollywood" aesthetic. The director makes excellent use of high-key lighting for Daniel’s matrimonial home, creating an atmosphere of forced perfection. The camera quality is crisp, capturing the sweat on Daniel’s brow during his many moments of panic with unsettling clarity.
What stood out was the use of wide shots versus suffocating close-ups. In scenes where Daniel is with his wife, Kimmy (Bolaji Ogunmola), the framing is often wide, highlighting the physical and emotional space growing between them despite the expensive furniture. Conversely, the scenes with Gold (his mistress) are shot in tight, intimate close-ups. This creates a sense of "stolen time" and intensity that effectively mirrors the nature of an affair.
However, there are moments where the lighting consistency dips. During a few interior night scenes, the "power-light" effect (that blue-ish tint we often see in mid-budget productions) makes a brief, unwelcome appearance, slightly pulling the viewer out of the high-stakes realism.
2. Sound Design: The Echo of Deceit
Sound is often where Nollywood films stumble, but None of This Is True handles dialogue audibility with professional grace. The microphone quality is consistent; you can hear the tremor in Bolaji’s voice during the climactic confrontation, which is essential for the emotional payoff.
The musical score deserves a special mention. Rather than the overbearing, "tell-me-how-to-feel" synthesizers of yesteryear, the film utilizes a subtle blend of contemporary Nigerian soul and strategic silence. The use of silence when Daniel realizes Gold has contacted his wife is deafening. It forces the audience to sit in the discomfort of his impending doom.
3. Production Design: Costume as a Status Symbol
The costume department understood the assignment. Daniel’s wardrobe—sharp suits and well-tailored Agbalas—perfectly communicates his status as a "Big Boy" in the corporate world. It builds the facade of a responsible provider.
Kimmy’s costumes reflect the "Ideal Nigerian Wife"—modest yet expensive silk wraps and impeccably laid wigs. This contrasts sharply with Gold’s wardrobe, which is trendier, more revealing, and "Lagos-coded." This visual storytelling subtly reinforces the two different worlds Daniel is trying to juggle. The sets are believable; the "hotel" Daniel claims to work at looks like a genuine high-end Lagos apartment, avoiding the "plastic" look that plagues lower-budget sets.
4. Narrative Structure: The Slow Burn to an Explosive Climax
The film’s opening hook—a frantic phone call from an unknown number—sets a tone of suspense that carries through the first hour. Nollywood often struggles with pacing, frequently dragging out subplots involving nosy neighbors or irrelevant office drama. Thankfully, None of This Is True stays lean.
The flashback sequences are used sparingly but effectively to show the "honeymoon phase" of Daniel and Gold’s affair. This is crucial because it helps the audience understand Gold’s eventual rage. She wasn't just a "fling"; she was a woman who was promised a future. The pacing only stutters slightly in the middle of the second act, where Daniel’s repetitive excuses to his wife begin to feel a bit "samey."
5. Plot Logic & The "Nigerian Factor"
One of the most realistic aspects of this film is the "Work Excuse." In a city like Lagos, where "hustle" is the ultimate currency, Daniel’s excuse that he’s "moving into a hotel to finish a report" or "staying late for a crash in stock prices" is a lie that many Nigerian wives have heard (and sometimes tolerated).
However, a minor plot hole exists in Gold’s accessibility to Daniel’s private life. While it’s explained that she followed him, her ability to get his wife’s phone number and home address so seamlessly felt a bit like a narrative shortcut. In reality, a man as paranoid as Daniel would have been more careful. Yet, the emotional logic holds: a woman scorned is more efficient than the EFCC.
6. Performance Analysis: Deyemi and Bolaji Bring the Heat
Deyemi Okanlawon is the king of playing the "man you love to hate." He plays Daniel not as a cartoon villain, but as a man who genuinely believes he can "manage" two families. His performance is nuanced; you see the transition from confident playboy to a shivering coward.
Bolaji Ogunmola provides the emotional anchor. Her portrayal of Kimmy is a masterclass in "restrained strength." She doesn't start the film screaming; she starts with suspicion, and her slow-burn realization is heartbreaking. Her delivery of English, peppered with the occasional sharp Pidgin for emphasis, feels incredibly authentic to a modern Nigerian household.
The chemistry between the leads—and the lack thereof during the tense scenes—is what makes the movie work. The supporting cast, particularly Gold's friend who acts as the "voice of reason (or chaos)," adds a layer of realism to the female friendship dynamics.
7. Thematic Resonance: Beyond the Infidelity
The core theme here isn't just cheating; it’s Accountability. The film serves as a social commentary on the "Side-Chick Culture" in Nigeria. It challenges the notion that the mistress is always the "winner" and highlights the collateral damage to the children.
When Gold chooses to terminate her pregnancy, it’s a powerful, albeit controversial, moment. It breaks the trope of the mistress using a "baby" to tie down a married man. Instead, she chooses to cauterize the wound and walk away, but not before burning Daniel's house down (metaphorically). It reflects a growing sentiment among the younger Nigerian generation: If I’m going down, we are all going down.
The Verdict: A Must-Watch for the "God When" Generation
None of This Is True is a cautionary tale that feels like a long, deep conversation on a Sunday afternoon with your most "woke" auntie. It avoids the preachy, religious endings of old Nollywood where the husband is forgiven after a simple prayer. Instead, it offers a gritty, realistic conclusion where actions have irreversible consequences.
The film isn't perfect—it has some minor technical hiccups and a few overused tropes—but the powerhouse performances and the culturally grounded script make it a standout for 2026.
Who should watch this?
- Couples who think their "secrets" are safe.
- Anyone who enjoys high-stakes domestic thrillers.
- Cinematography nerds looking for a well-shot Lagos story.
Conclusion & Call-to-Watch If you want to see Deyemi Okanlawon get the "treatment" he deserves and Bolaji Ogunmola give a career-defining performance, head over to the Chinedu Benjamin TV YouTube channel. It’s a 1-hour and 37-minute ride that will leave you checking your partner's phone and questioning everything you know about "office late nights."
Would you forgive Daniel, or are you siding with Kimmy and Gold? Drop your comments below and let's start the "Table Shaking" session!
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