Olóládé Review: Directed by Adeniyi Joseph and written by Lani Aisida, the Nollywood series stars Frank Donga as Shina, Femi Adebayo as Lateef, Mercy Aigbe, Mide Funmi Martins, Liz Da Silva, Adebowale Adedayo, Olanrewaju Ayanwale, Debby Felix, Jaiye Kuti, Oluwatobi Olubiyi, Damilola Oni, and others. The series consists of 6 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 40-50 minutes.
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– Netflix Olóládé Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
Ololade Plot
In the bustling cityscape, Shina, a disenchanted high school teacher, and Lateef, a charismatic yet cunning auto-mechanic, unexpectedly strike gold, catapulting into an electrifying journey of transformation. Fuelled by their newfound wealth, they forge a thriving business, riding the exhilarating waves of success. But as their empire rises, so does the weight of their choices, unveiling the haunting consequences that shadow their ascent. Caught between ambition and ethics, they grapple with the daunting truths behind their success, navigating a treacherous path that challenges their partnership and morality. Their journey, sparked by fortune, evolves into a profound exploration of ambition’s price and the irreversible transformations it exacts upon their lives.
Olóládé Review
The Nollywood series has undeniably made remarkable progress over time, especially following shows like The Origin of Madam Koi Koi, which set high expectations for subsequent series. However, this particular series failed to evoke the excitement or satisfaction I anticipated. While the central theme revolving around sudden wealth intrigued me, most of the time, it felt like an unnecessary family drama was taking precedence.
The story commenced with Shina, discontented with his poorly-paying job, while his wife incessantly complained. Despite his belief in God, he blindly followed the pastor’s teachings, often squandering money on unnecessary rituals. Upon discovering an unexpected 50-million Naira deposit in his account, he attributed it to divine intervention due to his rituals without questioning its origin. On the flip side, there was Lateef, a mechanic and a notorious playboy involved in a serious crime. To cover up his misdeeds, he acquired a significant sum of money.
They became wealthy in the first episode, but with their newfound wealth came an avalanche of family drama. The story delved into infidelity, with a married man having multiple girlfriends and the mother pressuring her son to remarry due to his first wife only bearing a daughter, which she unfairly blamed on the wife. It felt unnecessarily dramatic, questioning why such themes persist in cinema as it didn’t come across as comedic to me.
The reliance on basic shot-reverse-shot sequences becomes repetitive and uninspiring. The lack of grandiose montages or spectacular sequences could have been acceptable if the storytelling or character development compensated for it. However, in the series, this absence further diminishes the series’ impact and leaves it feeling bland and uninspired.
The most intriguing aspect of the series was their involvement in money laundering, but unfortunately, this storyline wasn’t adequately explored in this season. The depiction of the killings using ritualistic magic felt disconnected and confusing, leaving me uncertain about its intended purpose or message.
One of the fundamental issues with Olóládé lies in its refusal to take its storyline seriously. While the series aims for a tone of ironic amusement, it often feels forced and lacks the genuine wit or depth needed to engage its audience truly. The characters, although likeable, fail to resonate beyond surface-level amusement. Their navigation through the challenges brought about by newfound wealth feels contrived and fails to evoke genuine empathy or interest.
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Despite its shortcomings, the series manages to offer fleeting moments of entertainment. The likeable nature of the main characters and their ability to find humour in their situations might resonate with viewers seeking a casual, undemanding watch. However, these sporadic bright spots aren’t enough to salvage a series that struggles to find its footing in terms of storytelling and character depth. Hopefully, in the second season, there will be more engaging elements without heavy family involvement, making it more interesting for the audience.
Olóládé Review: Final Thoughts
Despite the initial premise of sudden wealth driving the narrative, the series predominantly meanders into unnecessary family drama, diluting its potential impact. The characters, grappling with newfound affluence, are marred by superficial conflicts and clichéd themes like infidelity and familial pressure, lacking the depth needed for genuine audience connection.
The series’ failure to earnestly explore compelling storylines, notably in money laundering and ritualistic elements, leaves disoriented and uncertain about its intended direction. Though occasional moments of levity may cater to a casual audience seeking light entertainment, the series ultimately struggles to strike a balance between ironic amusement and substantive storytelling, rendering it a missed opportunity in leveraging its promising premise.
Olóládé 2023 is streaming on Netflix.