REVIEW: ‘Finding Me’ — a film with unfulfilled potential

‘Finding Me‘, the film produced by Funke Akindele, finally premiered on Prime Video on March 16 — after nearly a year of anticipation.

Despite its star-studded cast and promising storyline, the movie left mixed feelings. While it tackles valuable lessons and emotions, the title ‘Finding Me’ feels somewhat misleading, as the story doesn’t fully explore the themes of self-love and self-discovery.

SYNOPSIS

‘Finding Me’ tells the story of Atinuke, a young woman struggling with confidence issues and a controlling relationship, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

 

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THE STRONG POINTS

The costume and makeup were among the film’s standout elements, with impressive attention to detail. Atinuke’s questionable fashion sense was brilliantly reflected in her outfits, jewelry choices, wigs, shoes, and even her nail polish. Her transformation dresses were well thought out and carefully put together, reflecting an evolution.

Her parents’ wardrobe also captured the essence of old wealth, with embellished lace fabrics and long gold chains. Her brother’s outfits, on the other hand, subtly reflected his personality and his attempt to embrace modernity. Every character dressed the part, and there were no costume missteps; everything felt intentional and well-executed.

The performances in ‘Finding Me’ were another major highlight, with both minor and major roles delivered with depth and professionalism. Funke Akindele truly outdid herself, bringing her character to life in a way that felt raw and deeply emotional. It has been a while since she played a non-comedic role, but she embodied this one so well that you could feel the weight of her character’s struggles. That scene where she tried to seduce her husband? It was gripping, you could sense her desperation to please him at any cost.

Joseph Benjamin also fully immersed himself in his role, portraying a manipulative and narcissistic personality so convincingly that I couldn’t help but despise him. Efa Iwara, Omowunmi Dada, Femi Adebayo, Dele Odule, Omoni Oboli and the rest of the cast brought their A-game, making the film all the more engaging. And not to forget Emeka Nwagbaraocha, his performance was spot-on, especially in the scene where he snitched on his sisters.

The story is deeply relatable and strikes a chord. While it may not be an entirely new concept, it remains an important one that deserves continued exploration. Bringing awareness to issues like infidelity, financial abuse, body shaming, and emotional manipulation keeps these conversations alive, as they are still very much a reality for many people today. This relatability is one of the film’s strongest elements, making it not just engaging but also impactful.

The cinematography was equally impressive, with stunning visuals and well-executed camera angles. The crisp, well-framed shots added depth to the storytelling, enhancing the film’s overall appeal. However, there were moments where the camera angles affected the authenticity of certain scenes. For instance, in the scene where Ndidi was hitting her brother with a keg, it was clear that the object was actually striking the chair instead. While it’s understandable that safety measures were in place, a better camera angle could have made the moment more convincing. Despite this, the visual quality remained top-notch, contributing to the film’s polished look.

THE WEAK POINTS

The biggest flaw in ‘Finding Me’ is its pacing. For most of the film, the storytelling flows smoothly, steady, engaging, and without unnecessary drags. However, as the twists begin to unfold towards the end, everything suddenly feels rushed. The emotional weight of these revelations doesn’t fully sink in, and for a film with a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, a hurried conclusion feels off.

The rushed pacing is most evident in Anthony and Atinuke’s romance. How did they even fall in love? It happened out of nowhere, no buildup, no prior chemistry, not even a meaningful romantic exchange. Then suddenly, a kiss after just one conversation? It felt forced and unconvincing.

Then comes the final stretch, where multiple twists are crammed together. Anthony’s arrest, the family doctor scandal, the fake test results, and Ndidi’s death. It all happens so fast that it feels overwhelming rather than impactful. Worse still, it leaves behind unanswered questions. For instance, what exactly was Kola being blackmailed for? Anthony’s situation is clear since he was involved with a married woman, but Kola? His wife already knew about his infidelity, so what was in that picture that was so damning? What pushed him to the point of murder? What happened to Rebecca, why the sudden disappearance? Did Atinuke and her father reconcile?

Even more puzzling was how, almost immediately after Anthony was arrested for alleged murder, another suspect was conveniently caught with video evidence that solved the case. The resolution felt too neatly wrapped up, making the climax rushed and incomplete. These gaps in the story leave loose ends that make the climax feel rushed and incomplete.

Another flaw in ‘Finding Me’ is the missed opportunity to fully explore its themes of self-love, self-worth, and self-awareness. This is why, as I mentioned in the introduction, the film’s title doesn’t feel entirely realised, at least not in a way that delivers a strong, morally grounded lesson.

Given the title, I expected Atinuke’s journey to be personal growth. Finding strength within herself, reclaiming her voice, and rebuilding her confidence through her own efforts. The foundation was there: she started going to the gym, had a supportive friend, and even acknowledged her intelligence. But instead of truly finding herself, her transformation became tied to external validation, specifically from a man. She resorted to cheating, lying, and even neglecting her son, all in the name of evolving.

It would have been far more thought-provoking if the story had leaned into her friend’s influence, guiding her toward genuine self-discovery. Did she really find herself? What if Anthony turned out to be another Kola? What lesson does the film truly offer to someone experiencing a similar struggle? Does that healing come from finding another man’s approval? The plot, story, and even the title had the potential for a deeper, more impactful narrative, one that encouraged self-reclamation rather than romantic dependence.

FINAL VERDICT

‘FINDING ME’ gets a 6/10