‘My Mother Is A Witch’, the film produced by Efe Irele and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, recently arrived on streaming platform Kava TV, a little over three months after its cinema debut.
The boldness of the title was the first thing that caught my attention. I wanted to know why she is called a witch. I was also drawn to the leading duo, Efe Irele and Mercy Aigbe, whose performance in Farmer’s Bride left a lasting impression on me.
Watching the film, I found it to be a relatable story that reflects the tough-love dynamic often seen between mothers and daughters in Nigeria.
SYNOPSIS
The story follows a fashion editor who returns from London to her Nigerian roots in Benin, only to face lingering childhood wounds tied to her mother.
THE STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM
One of the standout elements of ‘My Mother Is A Witch’ is its set design. Adesuwa’s living room, adorned with beads and Benin art, felt intentional and revealing; it hinted at her career long before the film made it clear. The spaces felt lived-in, realistic, and authentic to the story being told. The production also scored points with its international scenes. It was evident that the filming abroad was genuinely shot on location, not on a makeshift set, which added to the film’s authenticity.
The acting of the lead actresses is another strong point of the film. Both women understood their roles and embodied them with depth, and the chemistry between them felt natural and effortless on screen. Mercy Aigbe, in particular, stepped out of her comfort zone as Adesuwa. I don’t recall seeing her in such a role before, and she delivered impressively, from her expressions down to her Pidgin and Edo accent.
Efe Irele also carried the pain of a hurting daughter convincingly, making her character’s struggles easy to connect with. Even the minor characters, like Adesuwa’s friend, delivered noteworthy performances that complemented the leads and enriched the story.
The film also stood out for its authenticity in language and soundtrack. It celebrated Edo culture beautifully through its use of language, food, and music, while the bead-making process offered a particularly striking cultural touch. These elements felt genuine to both the story and the heritage of the lead characters.
Another highlight of the film is its plot and the way the story is told. At its core, it is a deeply relatable tale about mothers and daughters, exploring the complexities of maternal love, the lingering effects of personal trauma on parenting, and the difficult but necessary journey toward forgiveness and healing. The use of nonlinear storytelling is handled with care, and past events are woven seamlessly into the present, allowing viewers to follow along without confusion. This narrative choice not only enriches the film but also deepens our understanding of the characters’ struggles.
Importantly, the story is presented in a way that lets you feel the pain from both sides, mother and daughter, without being forced to place blame or take sides. Instead, it invites empathy, making the experience both emotional and thought-provoking.
THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM
Even though the story and themes of My Mother Is A Witch are relatable, they also come across as predictable. From early on, it feels obvious that there must be a “positive” or sympathetic reason behind Adesuwa’s sudden cruelty, which takes away some of the suspense.
The film also creates several openings for meaningful confrontations between mother and daughter, but these moments are never fully realised. Instead, the conflict keeps circling back to the same ground without much progress.
It would have been more powerful if the film had given space for a direct, heartfelt confrontation between the two, where they openly addressed the hurt and misunderstandings. Instead, Jess learns about her mother’s pain through Dr Ayo’s account of what he overheard, which feels less raw and emotional than a true mother-daughter exchange would have been.
The resolution also feels rushed. After building up years of pain and resentment, the story jumps too quickly into forgiveness and closure. Rather than showing a gradual process of healing, it relies on one big emotional outburst, which makes the ending feel less convincing.
FINAL VERDICT
‘My Mother Is A Witch’ gets a 7/10
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