- The Weekend hit the cinema on August 31 for viewers across the state
- The film is directed by Daniel Oriah 7 years after his acclaimed film Sylvia
- As a thriller and subtle horror genre, The Weekend explored a unique angle missing in Nollywood
After a seven-year hiatus, Nollywood director and filmmaker Daniel Oriah returns with a subtle horror and thriller film, The Weekend.
His last film was Slyvia, a 2018 Nigerian supernatural thriller film he directed for Trino Motion Pictures. On The Weekend, Daniel brought spectacular delivery.
The story written by Vanessa Kanu, Freddie Anyaegbunam and Egbemawei Sammy, tackles the family secrets and the reality of meeting a family-to-be in-laws.
The Weekend features a genre-bending and suspense-filled experience that leaves you at the edge of your seat. Following a unique thriller plot, the story makes you question the consequences of visiting your in-laws as an engaged couple.
What secrets could they be hiding? Are you sure you know everything about your partner’s family? What would you do if you found out your partner’s family is not what you think it is?
‘The Weekend’ plot
The story follows Nikiya played by Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Luc played by Bucci Franklin, who are happily engaged and in love. As an orphan, Nikiya presses on to see Luc’s family, which he refuses to visit for years.
He only communicated with them via phone calls. Nikiya is desperate for a family connection as she continues pushing.
Luc finally gives in to her pressure and they plan to attend his parents’ anniversary over the weekend. Nikiya is excited about the visit but unknown to her, Luc’s reluctance is as a result of a family secret she is not aware of. Would Nikiya survive the consequences of meeting her soon-to-be in-laws for the first time?
Reviewing ‘The Weekend’
For me, as long as the story is right, everything is secondary to me. We watch films to experience stories and that is what The Weekend offered me.
A tactful and well-directed approach by Daniel Oriah to make a worthy Nollywood thriller/horror. It is not necessarily the jump-scare kind of horror but a subtle one. It created the suspense needed to keep the audience till the end.
I commend the strong chemistry of Nikiya (Uzoamaka Aniunoh) and Luc (Bucci Franklin) for their roles in the film. As lovers, they had the right energy and even when they argued the emotion was felt.
Another memorable character for me was Karma. She was unpredictable and her character switch for me was beautiful. From a timid and battered character to a heartless and unforgiving one.
For flaws, I think I found the film slow-burning at some point, waiting for the secrets to be revealed. This would really test the patience level of viewers but when they scale through, they will come to appreciate the film the more.
Final thoughts on ‘The Weekend’
When I got into the cinema to watch this film, I didn't know what exactly to expect. “It's just another Nollywood film, maybe,” I muttered. Surprisingly, I was blown away with the revelations towards the third act of the film.
If there's one thing ‘The Weekend’ taught me, it is to mind my damn business because whoever said, “Curiosity killed the cat,” was absolutely right.
The film also evaluated a reality check for engaged couples to know on a deeper level information about their in-laws and their family history before marriage.
‘The Weekend’ is embedded with typical Nigerian culture and traditions around marriage and relationships. However, the unpredictable twists and turns hook you till its riveting end.
It is showing across Cinemas in Nigeria!
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“An ex-car smuggler must deliver an abducted child to her kidnappers in 3 hours or risk losing his family,” the logline sets the suspense mood. With such stakes raised, curiosity will definitely have the best of viewers.
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