I kept seeing Casa de Novia everywhere, so I finally decided to check it out. Anthill Studios, known for pushing boundaries in Nollywood, delivers high-quality visuals with this film. However, while the ambition is there, the execution feels a bit rushed.
Yoyo’s Unsettling Discovery
The story follows Yoyo, who moves into a new apartment only to discover it’s haunted! This sparks a series of funny and adventurous situations. Casa de Novia tries to be both scary and funny, similar to movies like “Banana Island Ghost” and “Ghost and the Tout.” While the idea is interesting, the balance between suspense and humor isn’t always perfect.
Shining Performances
Despite some plot hiccups, the cast is fantastic. Anee Icha is charming as Yoyo, and the supporting actors, including Taye Arimoro Lizzy Jay, Tope Tedela and Efe Irele, are great too. The comedic moments are genuinely funny, even if the characters sometimes make questionable decisions.
Laughter in the Face of Fear
The film cleverly mixes scares with humor, creating a refreshing viewing experience. It’s fun to see the characters deal with ghostly threats while cracking jokes. Kudos to the writers for crafting dialogue that’s both thrilling and hilarious.
Visually Appealing
Casa de Novia is a treat for the eyes. The special effects, even with extensive green screens, blend seamlessly with the story. The filmmakers skillfully combine the supernatural with the everyday world.
Room for Improvement
While Casa de Novia has a lot to offer, it’s not flawless. There are some plot holes that make the film feel rushed. For example, the ghost is always naked, which is never explained. Additionally, some scenes lack clarity. When a ghost attacks a character, we see him get hit by a chair, but then he runs out unharmed. This leaves viewers confused about what actually happened.
A Rushed Ending
The suspense builds throughout the movie, but the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying. Several plot points are crammed into the final scene, leaving the audience wondering if it’s the actual ending or a setup for another part. The film could have benefited from a more developed conclusion.
So Close, Yet So Far
Casa de Novia is a valiant effort, but it stumbles in a few key areas. While the visuals are impressive and the cast is charming, the narrative could have been tighter and the ending more satisfying. It’s an enjoyable watch, but it leaves you very unsatisfied.
This is spot on Joan. I really do like the storyline, the humor, choice of cast and the cinematography. However, I also think it is poorly executed. There are just too many discrepancies. It was portrayed that he was trapped in the house, he can open the door, pick up things like he lives in the house, how then does he cause the chaos when there is an intruder?
Then why did he choose her? She wasn’t the first person to take the house? Other people could not see him, so was there a special reason why she could?
Also, how did he not realize that he was trapped in the house for three years even with several people taking the house at different times?
Finally, the story of his death was not properly explained. Was the cake poisoned? What connected him to Melina’s sister?
I think they could have done better with the writing but besides that, it was a good watch