Lies, Lockdown, and Lovers: Why 'In Love With The President’s Son' is a Chaotic Nollywood Masterpiece
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Overall Rating: ................ (3.5/5 Stars)
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you trap big personalities in a small space. It’s a trope as old as time, but in the hands of Nollywood’s finest, it becomes a mirror for our own societal madness. "In Love With The President’s Son"—despite a title that feels a bit like clickbait (spoiler: the "President" part is largely background noise)—is a fascinating, high-octane exploration of toxic exes, the performative nature of Nigerian social media, and the skeletons we keep in our designer wardrobes.
As a veteran of this industry, I’ve seen the "trapped in a house" plot done poorly many times. But with Bimbo Ademoye and Timini Egbuson leading the charge, this film transcends its low-budget constraints to deliver a narrative that is as frustrating as it is addictive.
The Visual Language: High-End Living vs. TV Aesthetics
From the opening frames, it’s clear where the production budget went: the interior design. The film leans heavily on the "New Nollywood" aesthetic—glossy surfaces, ring-light-ready makeup, and high-fashion "Senator" suits.
Cinematography & Framing
The camera work relies heavily on close-ups, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it captures every twitch of Bimbo Ademoye’s expressive face as Sylvia, magnifying her palpable disdain for her ex. On the other, the lack of wide-angle variety sometimes makes the house feel like a set rather than a home. However, the color grading is remarkably consistent. Unlike many YouTube-first Nollywood releases that suffer from "orange-skin syndrome," the skin tones here are rich and natural, capturing the "soft life" glow that the characters are so desperate to project.
Lighting Consistency
Interior lighting in Nigerian film often falls victim to flat, overhead "office lighting." Thankfully, this film utilizes motivated lighting—soft lamps and natural window light—to create a mood that shifts from the bright, airy optimism of Sylvia’s new romance to the moody, shadowy tension of the lockdown nights.
Sound Design: The Good, The Bad, and The Background
Sound is the Achilles' heel of Nollywood, and while this film fares better than most, it isn't without its hiccups.
Dialogue Audibility: The microphones catch the sharp staccato of Timini’s Pidgin-inflected English perfectly. You don’t miss a single "sub" or "insult."
The Score: The use of Nigerian Afrobeats in the transition scenes is culturally spot-on, perfectly mimicking the "Instagram-lifestyle" vibe. However, the emotional cues are sometimes a bit heavy-handed. When a secret is revealed, the music swells with a dramatic intensity that feels slightly 2005-era.
Environmental Noise: There are moments where the room tone shifts slightly between cuts, but for a film largely set in one location, the sound mixing manages to keep the audience immersed in the domestic warfare.
Costume & Production Design: Dressing the Part
If there is one thing Nollywood knows how to do, it’s "stunting." The costumes in this film aren't just clothes; they are weapons.
Sylvia (Bimbo Ademoye) is dressed to kill—literally. Her makeup is impeccable, even when she’s "cleaning," which reflects the character's deep-seated insecurity and need to appear superior to Dave. Dave (Timini Egbuson) sports the classic "Beard Gang" instructor look, utilizing his physique and well-tailored Senator wear to communicate a status that his bank account might not actually support.
The set design of the house is a character in itself. It represents the Nigerian dream: clean lines, expensive furniture, and a kitchen that looks like it’s never seen a stray drop of palm oil. It provides the perfect, sterile backdrop for the messy, visceral emotions that eventually explode.
Narrative Structure: The Lockdown as a Pressure Cooker
The film’s greatest strength is its pacing. It starts as a "petty-ex" comedy and evolves into a psychological drama.
The Hook
The opening sequence, featuring Sylvia and Michael (played with a slick, suspicious charm by a supporting cast member), sets the tone. They are the "perfect couple" on IG, but the cracks are visible from the start. The narrative device of the COVID-19 lockdown is used brilliantly. While the world outside is dealing with a pandemic, the world inside the house is dealing with the "virus" of past lies.
The Climax
The "Night of Revelations" is where the film earns its stripes. The tension has been building for an hour, fueled by petty arguments over egg sauce and gym routines, and when it finally breaks, it’s a cascade of truths. The revelation of Michael’s secret family and Joyce’s secret son feels like a double-tap to the heart of the audience. It’s classic Nollywood "agbada" drama, but executed with modern finesse.
Character Analysis: A Masterclass in Chemistry
Bimbo Ademoye (Sylvia)
Bimbo continues to prove why she is the reigning queen of Nollywood dramedy. Her portrayal of Sylvia is layered; she isn't just a "bitter ex." She is a woman who was deeply hurt and has built a fortress of pride to protect herself. Her transition from "I am over him" to "I hate you because I still love you" is heartbreakingly believable.
Timini Egbuson (Dave)
Timini plays Dave with his signature "Bad Boy" charisma, but there’s a vulnerability here we haven’t seen in his recent "playboy" roles. He captures the essence of a Nigerian man who is too proud to admit he made a mistake, using sarcasm as a shield. The chemistry between him and Bimbo is electric; you can feel the four years of history between them in every look.
The Supporting Cast
Chioma Nwaoha as Joyce deserves a shout-out. Playing the "new girlfriend" in an ex-war is a thankless task, but she brings a quiet strength to the role, making her eventual downfall more sympathetic.
Thematic Depth: Social Media vs. Reality
At its core, "In Love With The President’s Son" is a social commentary on the performative nature of modern Nigerian relationships.
We see Sylvia and Michael taking photos specifically to "tag enemies". We see the desperation to prove that one is "better off" after a breakup. The film asks a poignant question: If you didn't post it on Instagram, did the love even exist?
It also touches on the Nigerian Survival Instinct. Even in the middle of a global lockdown, the characters are worried about "first impressions" and "looking dope" for their exes. It’s a hilarious but stinging indictment of our obsession with optics over essence.
Plot Logic & The "Nollywood Shortcut"
No film is perfect, and this one leans on a few convenient coincidences.
The Mechanic Call: The way Michael’s secret is revealed through a phone call is a bit of a narrative shortcut. In reality, a man as calculated as Michael would likely have his "wife" saved as "Plumber" or "Abeokuta Client."
The Best Friend Confession: Udu’s sudden arrival at the end to "clear the air" feels a bit like a Deus ex Machina. It’s a neat way to wrap up a messy plot, but it lacks the organic tension of the rest of the film.
Cultural Relevance: The Diaspora Appeal
This film will resonate deeply with the Diaspora. It captures the specific language of modern Lagos—the code-switching between formal English and Pidgin, the subtle jabs about social class, and the universal experience of "traffic and lockdown." It’s a slice of Nigerian life that feels authentic, even in its most dramatic moments.
The Verdict: Is It Worth Your Data?
"In Love With The President’s Son" is a wild ride. It’s petty, it’s glamorous, and it’s deeply Nigerian. While the title might be a bit of a misnomer, the emotional core of the film—the battle between Sylvia and Dave—is worth the price of admission.
It is a reminder that in the house of love, secrets are the one thing you can never truly lock down.
Who should watch this?
Anyone currently going through a breakup (it’s cheaper than therapy).
Fans of the Timini-Bimbo "ship."
People who love "closed-door" dramas like The Hateful Eight but with more Ankara and Jollof.
Verdict: Watch it. It’s the perfect weekend binge that will have you checking your partner’s call log and your own IG captions.
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