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| Image: Google |
Streaming on: Kava.TV
Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes
Cast: Keppy Ekpeyong, Bucci Franklin, James Gardiner, Meg Otanwa, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Gloria Anozie, among others
I avoided The Weekend for a long time. It sat on my watchlist for months, despite repeated nudges from a friend who insisted it was “not your regular Nollywood film.” Eventually, curiosity won—and I’m glad it did. What I encountered was not just a movie, but an unsettling cinematic experience that refuses to leave your thoughts long after the credits roll.
From its structure to its storytelling choices, The Weekend feels intentionally different. It does not rely on predictable formulas or familiar Nollywood beats. Instead, it leans into discomfort, silence, and tension, carving out a space that feels bold and unconventional within the industry.
A Story That Pulls You Back In
At its heart, The Weekend examines family, inheritance, and buried traditions, but it does so through a dark, unpredictable lens. The narrative unfolds slowly, layering mystery upon unease, and steadily tightening its grip.
I’ll admit I wasn’t fully focused when I first pressed play. Usually, that’s a death sentence for any film I’m watching. Yet this one kept pulling me back. Every pause only increased my need to return, as though the story itself demanded completion.
Rather than reveal the plot, I’d rather encourage viewers to step into it blindly. The film’s power lies in discovery. Although it was released a couple of years ago, the execution still feels fresh, daring, and deeply disturbing.
By the end, I found myself questioning something as ordinary as food. The film introduces a scene involving meat—simple, everyday protein—that transforms into something grotesque and symbolic. From that point on, roadside food vendors felt different to me. The moment Luc’s father forced him to chew that meat was nauseating, both physically and emotionally. It was a turning point that cemented the film’s haunting tone.
Performances That Leave No Weak Spot
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its cast. Every actor understood the assignment. There were no lazy performances, no characters that felt out of place or underdeveloped.
From Luc’s father to Luc himself, from Kama to the vigilante boys by the roadside, each role felt deliberate and authentic. This is the level of commitment Nollywood often strives for—and The Weekend delivers it consistently.
Zeido, however, deserves special mention. Not because he was likable, but because he was convincingly detestable. His cruelty toward Kama was relentless, and I won’t pretend otherwise—I felt a sense of grim satisfaction when his character met his end. That reaction alone speaks to how effectively the role was played.
Themes That Force Reflection
Beyond shock value, The Weekend asks uncomfortable questions about family loyalty and silence. It challenges the way people dismiss those who distance themselves from their families or speak negatively about them.
The film suggests that such distance is rarely without cause. There are histories, patterns, and wounds that outsiders never see.
Luc, however, was not without fault. His refusal to fully communicate his past to his fiancée, Nikiya, proved costly. Her insistence on reconnecting with his family exposed a major flaw: silence. Had Luc been honest about his trauma, much of what followed might have been avoided. His silence didn’t just endanger himself—it placed Nikiya directly in harm’s way.
Kama’s parents also stood out in troubling ways. They were clearly aware of the abuse their daughter endured, yet chose inaction. That silence felt deliberate, almost complicit, and deeply unsettling.
Nikiya’s actions, though impulsive, felt human. She responded to what she witnessed, not what she was told. Her flaws were believable, even when frustrating.
Questions the Film Leaves Behind
The Weekend thrives on ambiguity, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. Was Kama’s endurance strategic? Why did family secrets spill so easily from outsiders? Why was Zeido’s disappearance barely questioned? Did Luc’s final act signal sacrifice or resignation? And what exactly did that meat represent?
These unanswered questions are part of the film’s power.
Final Verdict
The Weekend is not an easy watch, but it is a worthwhile one. Dark, thought-provoking, and unapologetically strange, it stands out in Nollywood’s evolving landscape.
Rating: 7/10
Watch trailer below…
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