In the shimmering heat of Lagos, where money speaks and silence is bought, Volumefilms TV has dropped a cinematic bomb that is currently trending across every WhatsApp group and living room in Nigeria. "INDULGENCE" isn’t just another domestic drama; it is a psychological autopsy of a family rotting from the head down.
Starring the phenomenal Chinenye Nnebe, this film is a masterclass in tension, entitlement, and the terrifying reality of what happens when "Daddy’s Little Girl" becomes "Daddy’s Biggest Nightmare."
If you haven’t seen it yet, grab your popcorn—and maybe a blood pressure monitor—because this review is going deep into the tragedy of the Banjo family.
The Core Conflict: Love vs. Enabling
At the heart of Indulgence lies Alfred Banjo, a man who clearly equates provision with parenting. His daughter, Tonia, is the personification of "Gen Z entitlement" dialed up to an eleven. She doesn't just ask; she demands. She doesn't just eat; she insults the cook.
The film sets the stage early: Alfred’s wife, Celine, is treated like a glorified housemaid in her own home. The power dynamic is skewed—Tonia holds the scepter, and Alfred provides the crown. But as the title suggests, this level of indulgence comes with a price tag that no amount of Naira can cover.
Detailed Scene Breakdown: The Descent into Chaos
The Dinner Table Insult (The Catalyst)
The movie opens with a scene that perfectly encapsulates Tonia’s character. She refuses Celine’s food, calling it "poison" and demanding to be taken to a fancy restaurant. Instead of a firm rebuke, Alfred sighs and gives in. This scene is vital because it establishes that in the Banjo household, respect is optional, but Tonia’s happiness is mandatory.
The Midnight Accident & The "Brian" Mystery
In a sequence that feels like a high-stakes thriller, Tonia drives home intoxicated from a club. The inevitable happens: a hit-and-run. The victim is a young man who loses his memory. To save Tonia from jail, Alfred brings the victim home, naming him "Brian." This is where the film shifts from a drama into a tense psychological game. Tonia doesn't feel guilt; she feels inconvenienced.
The Hospital Donation Irony
There is a poignant scene where Celine goes to the hospital for her routine charitable donations. She unknowingly pays the bills for a woman in a coma—Blessing. The cinematic irony here is thick: Celine is saving the life of the woman who would eventually reveal the secret that destroys her marriage.
The Revelation: "He is My Son"
The most explosive scene in the film occurs when Blessing, now recovered, enters the Banjo mansion. The look on Alfred’s face when he realizes "Brian" (Fred) is his biological son from a past university romance is worth the price of admission. The family unit doesn't just crack; it shatters.
The Final Supper: The Poisoned Plate
The climax is a masterfully paced sequence. Tonia, driven by a psychotic need to remain the sole heir, poisons Fred's food. The tension builds as Fred, in a gesture of filial love, serves that very plate to his mother, Blessing. The audience is left screaming at the screen as Blessing takes the fatal bite.
Character Deep-Dive: A House Divided
Tonia (The Entitled Antagonist)
Chinenye Nnebe delivers a chilling performance. Tonia isn't a cartoon villain; she is a product of her environment. Her "Only Child Syndrome" has evolved into full-blown sociopathy. She views Fred not as a brother, but as a "low-life" parasite stealing her father’s attention. Her inability to process guilt is the most terrifying aspect of her character.
Alfred (The Enabler-in-Chief)
Alfred is the true architect of this tragedy. His failure to set boundaries for Tonia is a cautionary tale for every parent. He thinks he is protecting her by covering up her crimes, but he is actually sharpening the knife she eventually uses to kill his past.
Celine (The Silent Martyr)
The stepmother's role is heartbreaking. She represents the "outsider" who sees the fire coming but is told her opinion doesn't matter because she "didn't give birth" to the child. Her resilience in the face of Tonia’s insults makes her the only moral compass in a house lost at sea.
Fred/Brian (The Displaced Heir)
Fred represents the innocent casualty of Alfred’s past and Tonia’s present. His amnesia serves as a metaphor—he is a blank slate entering a house filled with decades of "indulgence" and secrets.
Thematic Analysis: Why This Film is Viral
Indulgence strikes a chord because it tackles The Nigerian Justice System. The way Alfred uses his wealth to bypass the police after the accident is a stinging commentary on "One law for the rich, another for the poor."
Furthermore, the film explores The Blended Family Dynamic. In a culture where the "first son" holds immense weight, Fred’s arrival is a direct threat to Tonia’s financial security. The movie asks: Is blood thicker than water, or is money thicker than both?
Technical Merits: Sound and Vision
The production quality by Volumefilms TV is top-tier for a 2026 release. The use of claustrophobic close-ups during the arguments makes the Banjo mansion feel less like a home and more like a prison. The soundtrack is subtle but leans into heavy, dissonant chords as Tonia’s mental state unravels toward the end.
The Verdict: A Masterpiece of Domestic Horror
Indulgence is not a "feel-good" movie. It is a "feel-uncomfortable" movie, and that is exactly why you need to watch it. It serves as a brutal reminder that when we shield our children from the consequences of their actions, we aren't protecting them—we are creating monsters.
Rating: 8.5/10
Who is this for? Parents who think "no" is a bad word, Gen Zers who love a high-stakes drama, and anyone who enjoys watching a well-crafted tragedy unfold.
Will You Indulge?
The ending of the film, with Tonia being led away in handcuffs while crying that she is the "apple of her father's eye," is a haunting image that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a full-circle moment: the indulgence that built her up is ultimately what tore her life apart.
Call to Watch: Don't just take my word for it. Head over to YouTube and watch "INDULGENCE" on the Volumefilms TV channel. Experience the drama, the betrayal, and the heartbreak for yourself.
What did you think of Tonia’s actions? Was Alfred to blame? Let’s argue in the comments below!
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