It’s been a while since I reviewed a movie, but I’m back! Malaika, produced by Toyin Abraham in 2023, stirred up quite the controversy upon release. Shortly after its debut in cinemas, Toyin Abraham took legal action against seven individuals caught pirating the film on Telegram.
Following its theatrical run, the movie seemingly vanished, with no mention of it in 2024—until 2025, Toyin, in a surprising move, decided to release it on the new streaming platform, Circuit TV. But now, the big question remains: was Malaika worth all the fuss? Let’s do what we do best—analyze this movie.
What’s Malaika About?
The movie revolves around the Njoku family and the challenges they face. Adetutu, the wife, struggles with infertility, leading to tension within the household. Meanwhile, another couple battling the societal pressures of childlessness is introduced, reflecting the harsh reality many Nigerian women endure.
Adetutu is portrayed as a strong-willed woman with a fiery temper. She has a strained relationship with her stepdaughter, Chichi (played by Oluwapelu Olawumi), and maintains a strict, often intimidating presence at her fashion company, Tutu’s Couture. However, rather than focusing entirely on Adetutu’s battle with infertility, the film diverts attention to her anger issues constantly clashing with Chichi and berating her employees for minor mistakes.
Chichi, having lost her mother at a young age, feels unloved and resents Adetutu. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she befriends Obinna, a tricycle rider, and his family. This friendship brings warmth and a sense of belonging that she never experienced at home. Meanwhile, when Dr. Njoku (Adetutu’s husband) travels abroad, Adetutu seeks solace in a friend’s company, which leads her to an encounter with an Ifa priest. She discovers that her deep-seated anger is linked to her childlessness, setting her on a path of self-reflection and change.
As Adetutu undergoes a transformation, those around her are taken aback. Simultaneously, Chichi learns the value of forgiveness and acceptance through Obinna’s wife, leading to her personal growth. However, drama escalates when Chichi gets kidnapped during Ramota’s freedom celebration. Adetutu steps up to rescue her stepdaughter, ultimately changing their dynamic.
The climax takes an even bigger turn when Adetutu is revealed to be pregnant. The doctor’s announcement that she is expecting triplets shocks everyone, marking a happy ending for the once-troubled Njoku family.
Where Did Toyin Get It Wrong?
On the surface, Malaika tells a simple yet powerful story—one that didn’t need excessive drama or distractions. But Toyin Abraham, as always, couldn’t resist adding extra flair. The carnival scene, for instance, felt entirely unnecessary. It’s a signature move in Toyin’s films, but in this case, it added little to the story.
Another big issue was the movie’s struggle with focus. It tried to tackle too many themes—infertility, family drama, anger issues, class struggles, and even kidnapping. While each of these themes is important, the movie didn’t weave them together smoothly. Instead of feeling like one strong story, it felt like a bunch of different ideas thrown together.
Where It Fell Apart
Malaika started off strong, with a gripping opening that promised a deep and emotional story. But as the movie progressed, it lost direction. The balance between serious themes and dramatic action was off. What could have been a heartfelt drama turned into an overly dramatic, sometimes unrealistic, spectacle.
And let’s talk about that kidnapping scene, absolutely ridiculous! How are we supposed to believe that in this day and age, a child is kidnapped, and the parents decide to take matters into their own hands, fighting the criminals themselves? Sure, the film wanted to highlight martial arts, which was a cool addition, but the execution was laughable. Where were the security agents? And Adetutu’s injury? A deep wound from an iron piercing her stomach, and she’s magically fine in the next scene? Where was the tension? The panic? The realistic consequences? A scene like that should have made the audience feel something, but instead, it felt rushed and unrealistic.
The Good Stuff
It wasn’t all bad, though. The storytelling was smooth, and the movie didn’t feel disjointed. The flashback scenes were well-placed and helped connect the audience to the characters’ pasts without being confusing.
The casting was one of the film’s strong points. The major actors delivered solid performances:
- Toyin Abraham was excellent in her role.
- Emeka Ike proved once again why he’s a veteran.
- Oluwapelu Olawunmi (Chioma) brought depth to her character.
- Anne Kansiime, the Ugandan actress, was a refreshing presence, adding her unique style to the film.
- Odunlade Adekola, Uzor Arukwe, Carter Efe, Ibrahim Chatta, and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett all contributed meaningfully.
- Oluwapelu Olawunmi’s speech pattern even reminded me of Jemima Osunde—it was almost uncanny.
The cinematography was decent, and I particularly loved the infusion of karate into the storyline. That aspect of the film was fun to watch and added an element of surprise.
A Shoutout to Women Battling Infertility
Beyond the drama and action, Malaika carries a message that hits home for many women. The emotional weight of infertility is something that society often doesn’t talk about enough, yet it’s a reality for so many.
To every woman out there who has battled infertility or is still going through it, you are seen. Your pain, your strength, your resilience—it all matters. The stigma may be loud, but your story is louder. You are more than your ability to conceive. You are worthy, you are loved, and you are not alone.
Final Verdict
Malaika had everything it needed to be a great film—a strong story, a talented cast, and important themes. But instead of keeping it simple and emotional, it got lost in unnecessary drama and distractions.
If the movie had focused more on its core story and avoided trying to do too much, it could have been a masterpiece. Still, it’s not a bad movie. I’d give it a 7/10—entertaining but could have been so much better.
