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Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó franchise has continued to grow beyond what many expected when the original film debuted in 2022.
Rooted in Yoruba mythology and powered by striking visuals, the first movie became a cultural moment, earning massive local support and global attention on Netflix.
What began as a standalone story has now evolved into a multi-part franchise, with Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens marking its boldest and most ambitious chapter yet.
The original film followed Saro, played by Kunle Remi, a flawed and reckless traveller whose affair with Queen Arolake leads to his death and supernatural rebirth.
Gifted with the power to resurrect the dead by the mystical Akala bird, Saro’s rise and eventual downfall explored themes of power, arrogance, desire, and consequences.
The success of that film paved the way for the 2024 miniseries Rise of the Spectre, which shifted focus to Saro’s punishment after death, as he returned as a ghost tasked with reclaiming the lives he once restored.
Now, The Ghoul Awakens, which premiered on Netflix on January 30, 2026, pushes the story into darker and more complex territory.
This new instalment leans heavily into horror, mythology, and political intrigue, expanding both its cast and narrative scope. New faces such as Kiekie, Antar Laniyan, Saidi Balogun, Teniola Aladese, and Fella Makafui join returning stars including Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Taiwo Hassan, and Kunle Remi.
At the centre of this season is the return of Bashorun Ogunjimi, portrayed by Owobo Ogunde. Having escaped punishment in the afterlife, Bashorun returns to the world neither fully alive nor dead, surviving by feeding on human souls.
His transformation into a ghoul brings a chilling presence to the story and raises the emotional and moral stakes across the land, as mysterious disappearances spark fear and unrest.
Meanwhile, Prince Aderoju’s return to Oyo introduces another layer of conflict. His desperate attempt to rescue his sister Omowunmi from an unwanted royal marriage threatens the fragile peace between kingdoms, setting off political tensions that ripple throughout the series.
Elsewhere, Arolake continues her struggle to escape the destructive cycle of power and resurrection that once consumed her, seeking peace but finding fresh heartbreak.
While the season is visually stunning, with rich costumes, detailed set design, and impressive cinematography, it occasionally struggles under the weight of too many subplots.
The overlapping storylines, though ambitious, sometimes compete for attention, slowing the pace and weakening narrative focus. Notably, Saro’s absence throughout the season leaves a noticeable gap, suggesting his story may not yet be fully concluded.
Despite its flaws, Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens remains a daring and culturally grounded series. Its expansion into themes such as the slave trade and early European influence hints at a larger historical direction for the franchise.
Ambitious, visually captivating, and emotionally layered, the series continues to assert itself as one of Nollywood’s most imaginative mythological epics — even when its reach occasionally exceeds its grasp.
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