Heart in Disguise Review: Is This the Best Nollywood Romance of 2026?
By Godwin Adigwe, NollywoodTimes.com
February 4, 2026
Can a Nollywood queen spot a "mug" operation before her heart gets disguised? In Heart in Disguise, NollyFamily TV's latest 2026 bombshell (2 hours 2 minutes on YouTube), wealthy Becky learns the hard way. Starring John Ekanem, Prisma James, and Chioma Nwosu, this romance-drama explodes with pidgin rants, naked evictions, and proposal meltdowns.
Overall rating: 6.8/10. It's raw Naija energy – think yahoo-boy scams meets marriage panic; but drags in monologues. Perfect for Port Harcourt vibe chasers and scam survivors. E get as e be: thrilling highs, cliché lows. Stream if you dare!
The year 2026 is proving to be a powerhouse for Nollywood, and NollyFamily TV’s latest release, "Heart in Disguise," is currently the talk of the internet. this film dives deep into the "fake fiancé" trope but adds a layer of high-stakes emotional blackmail that is uniquely Nigerian.
But does it live up to the viral hype? Or is it just another recycled "rent-a-man" story? Grab your popcorn as we break down every scene, every tear, and every plot twist in this 2-hour emotional rollercoaster.
The Hook: A Wedding Bell Blues and a Suicidal Twist
The film opens with a sequence that feels like a fever dream for anyone who has ever been in love. We meet Becky, a woman whose life is seemingly perfect. She’s engaged to Peter, and the wedding preparations are already trending on social media.
The narrative takes a sharp, jagged turn when Peter—played with a chilling lack of empathy—tells her he’s "not ready" just weeks before the ceremony. The scene at [00:18:29] is visceral. Becky’s descent from joy to a suicide attempt at [00:25:59] is heavy, perhaps the darkest opening we’ve seen in a romantic drama this year. It sets a somber tone: this isn't just a rom-com; it’s a survival story.
The Deception: Borrowing a Man for Mama’s Sake
Enter Chioma Nwosu as the Mother. In Nollywood, mothers aren’t just parents; they are the emotional moral compass of the film. Because she suffers from high blood pressure, the truth about the cancelled wedding isn't just "bad news"—it’s potentially fatal.
To save her mother’s life, Becky agrees to a wild scheme orchestrated by her best friend, Mirabel. The plan? "Borrow" Mirabel's boyfriend, Ben (John Ekanem), to pose as the fiancé.
Character Breakdown: John Ekanem as Ben
Ekanem delivers a masterclass in the "Broke but Proud" archetype. Initially, he is reluctant and even rude. His chemistry with Becky starts as pure friction. At [00:37:33], their bickering over household chores and air conditioning is peak "enemies-to-lovers" material. Ekanem’s ability to shift from a rigid, annoyed contractor to a man who begins to see the pain behind Becky’s eyes is the film's strongest asset.
Scene Highlight: The Domestic War Zone
One of the most engaging sections of the film occurs during the "co-habitation" phase. To keep up the ruse, Ben moves in. The film uses humor to break the tension of the earlier acts.
• The Food Conflict: When Becky’s mother insists on Ben being served like a king while Becky starves, the film highlights traditional gender expectations in a way that feels both dated and hilarious.
• The Bedside Manners: The "accidental" cuddling on the bed is a classic trope, but the actors play it with a modern sensibility. You can feel the shift from Ben being a "paid actor" to a man who is genuinely concerned for Becky’s well-being.
The Mirabel Complication: A Subplot of Greed
While the main plot focuses on the fake engagement, the subplot involving Mirabel and Charles serves as a cautionary tale. Mirabel (Prisma James) is playing a dangerous game, juggling Charles’s money while "lending" her man to her friend.
This is where the film critiques the "transactional" nature of modern Lagos relationships. When Charles discovers the truth through leaked videos [01:43:38], the house of cards collapses. It’s a stark contrast to Becky and Ben’s growing organic connection. Mirabel loses everything because she treated love like a currency, while Becky finds something real born out of a lie.
The Climax: When the Mask Falls
The emotional peak of "Heart in Disguise" arrives when the mother finally learns the truth. In a scene that will surely sweep the awards next year [01:58:39], Chioma Nwosu reminds us why she is a veteran.
Instead of the expected rage, we get a moment of profound maternal grace. Her dialogue—"From the day I gave birth to you, it became my job to hold your hand when everything is bad"—is arguably the best-written line in Nollywood this year. It shifts the film’s focus from romantic love to the unbreakable bond between mother and child.
Production Review: The NollyFamily TV Aesthetic
NollyFamily TV has mastered the "Glam-Home" aesthetic. The cinematography is bright, crisp, and emphasizes the luxury of the domestic settings, which makes the characters' emotional poverty feel even more striking.
Soundtrack: The use of the recurring love song [01:46:11] is strategically placed. It’s catchy but serves as a bridge between the different tonal shifts of the movie.
The Verdict: Hit or Miss?
The Strengths:
• Chioma Nwosu’s Performance: She anchors the film’s emotional stakes.
• The Tonal Balance: It manages to be a thriller, a comedy, and a tear-jerker all at once.
• Societal Critique: It subtly mocks the "Social Media Wedding" culture that forces women into desperate situations.
The Weaknesses:
• Pacing: At over two hours, some of the middle bickering scenes could have been trimmed to keep the momentum.
• The Peter Subplot: We never quite get enough closure on Peter’s sudden departure, though perhaps he was always intended to be a mere catalyst.
Quality Score: 8.5/10
Conclusion: Should You Watch It?
"Heart in Disguise" is more than a romance; it’s a reflection on the lengths we go to for the people we love. Whether you’re a fan of John Ekanem’s brooding charm or you want a movie that will make you call your mother immediately after, this is a must-watch.
Where to Watch: You can catch the full movie on the NollyFamily tv YouTube channel. Don’t forget to bring tissues—you’re going to need them for the final 20 minutes.
Call to Watch: What would you do if your fiancé dumped you two weeks before the big day? Would you tell your parents the truth or "borrow" a boyfriend? Let us know in the comments below!
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