Obinna (Akah Nnani) and Stella (Beverly Osu) grow up together in a rough Lagos neighborhood. Their childhood friendship blossoms into a determined romance despite crises at home (abusive families, poverty), community expectations, and limited access to education.
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Stella’s mother (played by Patience Ozokwor) disapproves, insisting she focus on school and avoid Obinna. This compounds pressure on the young couple. Stella eventually begins school encountering new temptations and the corrupting influence of older, wealthier men. While Obinna hustles to send money, the gulf between their worlds widens.
A pivotal character played by Femi Jacobs emerges as a predatory older man who seduces or financially manipulates Stella. The resultant fallout fundamentally changes her.
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Their economic and social imbalance leads to emotional turmoil, Stella starts to taste “the good life” Obinna remains stagnant and frustrated, unable to provide. Their love deteriorates. Obinna returns to a changed woman no longer the innocent girl he knew; tensions grow as jealousy and resentment simmer.
Rather than a conventional romance, the story reveals deeper betrayals not between lovers but within the community. The final minutes reframes the notion of “love” in the title, suggesting it may refer to something other than their relationship.
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This is not a happy ending film it underscores the brutal realities of survival in a system that offers no upward mobility, even in the face of affection.
Director: Daniel Oriahi
Cast: Patience Ozokwor, Akah Nnani, Femi Jacobs, Beverly Osu, Dibor Adaobi, Chioma Chukwuka, Dorathy Bachor, BasketMouth, Jude Chukwuka.
Runtime: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Watch trailer here.
