Vendetta or Romance? A Deep Dive into the Corporate Chaos of "Taste of Love"
By NollywoodTimes.com Critic
#Nollywood2026 #TasteOfLoveReview #ChikeDanielMovies
January 8, 2026
Nollywood kicks off 2026 with Taste of Love, a fiery blend of Lagos hustle, workplace tension, and sizzling romance starring Chike Daniel, Shaznay Okawa, and Chinenye Ulaegbu. Fresh from NollywoodFlix+, this 1-hour-21-minute drama hooks you with a near-road-rage homicide and spirals into a tale of slapped destinies, overworked nights, and love triangles gone wild. But does it rise above the usual tropes, or is it just another pretty face with plot holes big enough to drive a danfo through? Let's dissect this one frame by frame.
Who should watch? Job-hunting Naija youth, office romance fans, and anyone craving Lagos-flavored escapism.
In true Nollywood fashion, Taste of Love leans on competent but not groundbreaking visuals. The camera work shines in outdoor Lagos chaos scenes—like Pandora's explosive rant at the "psycho driver" who nearly runs her over early on. Wide shots capture the bustling streets, honking horns, and that signature Naija traffic frustration, giving a gritty, authentic vibe that screams "Lagos life." Close-ups during her tirade amp up the raw anger, with shaky cam adding urgency, though it borders on amateur at times.
Nollywood has a long-standing love affair with the "Enemies-to-Lovers" trope. From the era of Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Nouah to the modern streaming age, there is something inherently Nigerian about the idea that a shouting match on a Lagos road could eventually lead to an altar. "Taste of Love," steps into this familiar territory, attempting to blend the high-stakes world of corporate Lagos with the messy, emotional reality of a personal vendetta.
As a veteran of this industry, I’ve seen this story told a thousand times, but "Taste of Love" tries to season this common recipe with a bit of "office-romance-gone-wrong" spice. But does it satisfy the palate, or is it just another recycled meal? Let’s break it down.
The Hook: A Road Rage Meet-Cute
The film doesn't waste time. We are introduced to Pandora (Shaznay Okawa), a woman clearly at the end of her tether. After a string of unsuccessful job interviews, her frustration boils over when she almost crashes into Leonard (Chike Daniel). The confrontation is peak Lagos: loud, aggressive, and filled with the kind of "Do you know who I am?" energy that fuels our capital city.
Shaznay Okawa plays the "woman on the edge" with a raw authenticity. You can see the exhaustion in her eyes—a sentiment many young Nigerians looking for work will find deeply relatable. However, the plot takes its first leap into "Nollywood Logic" when Pandora realizes that the man she just insulted in the middle of the street is the CEO of Global Ventures—the very company where she is about to interview.
Cinematography: Elevating the Office Aesthetic
Visually, "Taste of Love" is a step above the standard "home video" feel. The director makes good use of the corporate setting. We see a deliberate choice in framing: in the early scenes, Leonard is often shot from a low angle, emphasizing his power and dominance over Pandora.
The lighting consistency is surprisingly good for an indie production. Interior office scenes, which can often feel flat and yellow in Nollywood, are handled with a crisp, cool palette that reflects the clinical and often cold nature of Leonard’s character. However, the film still falls into the "TV-style" trap during dialogue-heavy scenes, relying heavily on standard shot-reverse-shot techniques rather than using the camera to tell the story through movement.
The Corporate Vendetta: A Narrative Stretch
The core of the conflict lies in Leonard’s decision to hire Pandora specifically to make her life miserable. This is where the narrative structure gets interesting. Instead of a simple romance, we get a "workplace psychological thriller-lite." Leonard’s motive is pure vendetta. He assigns her impossible tasks, forces her to stay overnight, and treats her with a level of disdain that borders on workplace harassment.
While Chike Daniel plays the "cold boss" effectively, the writing struggles to make his transition from "tormentor" to "lover" feel earned. In the Nigerian societal context, a boss treating a female subordinate this way often carries darker undertones. The film tries to keep it lighthearted, but there’s a lingering question: Why would she fall for a man who actively tried to break her spirit?
Performance Analysis: Okawa and Daniel’s Chemistry
The saving grace of the film is the chemistry between the leads. Shaznay Okawa delivers a powerhouse performance. She manages to transition from the aggressive woman on the street to the vulnerable, hardworking employee without losing the character's core strength. Her delivery of English is polished but carries the rhythmic weight of a Nigerian woman who won't be bullied for long.
Chike Daniel, on the other hand, excels in the "quietly brooding" role. His transformation begins not with words, but with looks. The way his gaze softens when he watches Pandora sleep at her desk tells more of the story than the dialogue does.
The supporting cast, particularly Chinenye Ulaegbu as Tracy, provides the necessary "best friend" grounding. Tracy serves as the audience's voice, questioning Pandora’s decisions and providing the emotional support that makes the protagonist's struggle feel more human.
Sound Design and Musical Cues
One of the biggest hurdles in Nollywood is sound, and "Taste of Love" handles it with mixed results. The dialogue is largely audible, which is a win, but the background score occasionally feels "on the nose." When things are sad, the piano is very sad. When there’s a romantic spark, the music swells with almost comedic timing.
However, the use of silence in the scenes where Pandora is working late in the empty office is effective. It highlights her isolation and the physical toll of Leonard’s "vendetta."
Costume and Production Design: Dressing the Part
The costume department deserves a shout-out for the "Power Dressing." Pandora’s evolution from her slightly disheveled interview outfit to her sharp, professional corporate wear mirrors her growing confidence. Leonard’s suits are impeccably tailored—communicating his status and his "armored" personality.
The production design of the Global Ventures office is believable. It doesn't look like a rented living room masquerading as an office (a common Nollywood sin); it feels like a place where real business happens. This environmental believability helps ground the more "extra" plot points in reality.
The "Nollywood Tropes" Check
No Nollywood film is complete without a few classic tropes:
The Wise Elder: Leonard’s Uncle (Okey Jude) arrives as the moral compass. His intervention is the catalyst for Leonard’s change of heart. While a bit cliché, it reflects the Nigerian reality where family members often intervene in the personal lives of adults.
The Scheming Ex: The introduction of Eve and her "miracle pregnancy" is a classic Nollywood pivot. It adds unnecessary drama to the final act, dragging the pacing when we really just wanted to see Leonard and Pandora resolve their issues.
The Rushed Ending: Like many films in this genre, the resolution feels a bit hurried. Leonard’s apology is heartfelt, but after an hour of psychological warfare, the "happily ever after" arrives perhaps a few scenes too early.
Cultural Relevance: Ambition and Survival
Beyond the romance, "Taste of Love" speaks to the "Hustle Culture" in Nigeria. Pandora’s willingness to endure mistreatment for a paycheck is a sad but accurate reflection of the current job market. It explores the power dynamics between the "haves" and the "have-nots" and how ego can be a destructive force in the workplace.
The film successfully balances these heavy themes with the aspirational quality that Nollywood audiences love—beautiful people, expensive cars, and the hope that love can conquer even the most toxic of beginnings.
The Verdict
"Taste of Love" is a solid, entertaining watch that benefits greatly from its lead performances. While the plot logic occasionally falters—especially regarding Leonard’s extreme "vendetta"—the emotional payoff is satisfying enough for fans of the genre. It is a film about pride, the masks we wear in professional spaces, and the vulnerability required to let someone in.
If you are looking for a movie that captures the frantic energy of Lagos life and the slow burn of an office romance, this is for you. It’s not a reinvention of the wheel, but it’s a well-polished version of a story we never tire of hearing.
Who Should Watch This?
Fans of "Enemies-to-Lovers" romances.
Anyone who has ever had a "Boss from Hell."
Viewers who appreciate strong, lead-driven Nollywood dramas.
Final Rating: 7/10
Nollywood is evolving, and "Taste of Love" is a testament to the fact that we can take simple tropes and elevate them with better acting and production value.
What did you think of Leonard’s "vendetta"? Was he too harsh, or was it just "tough love"? Let me know in the comments!
Watch "Taste of Love" on YouTube now and see the drama unfold for yourself!
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