REVIEW: ‘A Flicker of Us’ is a good film with room for improvement

15 Mar 2026, 17:15 by Muhibat Sulaimon · TheCable Lifestyle

‘A Flicker of Us‘, a film produced by Bolaji Ogunmola, premiered on YouTube on March 6.

I was drawn to the movie after seeing several film lovers online take sides, debating whether one belongs to Lara’s side or Tiwa’s side. For me, that is often a sign of a good watch—when a film sparks conversation around its themes. ‘A Flicker of Us’ manages to do that quite well. The story explores friendship, sacrifice, and betrayal in a way that encourages reflection on loyalty and personal choices.

After watching it, I found the film to be good overall, although it could have been even stronger if certain aspects had been handled differently.

SYNOPSIS

Set in a rural town in Western Nigeria in the late 1980s, ‘A Flicker of Us’ follows two fifteen-year-old girls, Tiwa Bada and Lase “Lala” Lawal, whose friendship is built on a shared dream of escaping poverty through education. Bound by a promise to stay focused and leave their town together, their plans begin to unravel after one night at a local party changes everything.

THE STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its casting and performances. The actresses chosen to portray the younger versions of the lead characters work very well and convincingly mirror their older counterparts. The lead actors—Bolaji Ogunmola, BamBam, and Ayoola Ayoola—also deliver strong performances. Their dialogue, facial expressions, and emotional delivery feel natural and professional. The younger cast equally hold their own, with the twins standing out, particularly in the conflict scenes where their performances make the characters feel believable and relatable.

Another noteworthy aspect of the film is its themes. The story itself is not entirely new, but the way it is told makes the themes feel thought-provoking. It invites reflection on the true meaning of friendship and the boundaries that come with it. The film also reinforces the idea that a single decision or mistake can alter the course of one’s life, reminding us of the importance of making conscious choices about our future. Themes of friendship, sacrifice, betrayal, and love are presented in a reflective way, allowing the story to linger beyond the screen.

The film’s cinematography and soundtrack are also commendable. The camera work is quite effective, with well-chosen angles and framing. The soundtrack complements the mood of the film, blending smoothly with the storytelling without distracting from the narrative.

THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM

One major flaw for me is the inconsistency in the timeline and era portrayed. The synopsis states that the characters’ childhood takes place in the late 1980s, with elements like postmen and letters reflecting that period. If we assume that period is around 1989, and the film repeatedly mentions a fifteen-year gap between the events of their youth and the present day, then the timeline should place the present day around 2004.

However, the present-day setting in the film does not reflect that period. The environment, house setting, and certain elements such as the smart television make the scenes appear far more modern than the early 2000s. Paying closer attention to these details would have helped maintain consistency and made the timeline more believable within the world of the film.

Another flaw is the lack of depth in some character relationships. The story hints at a strained bond between Lala and her mother, but it never explains what caused their fractured relationship—was she upset that her mother took in Tiwa, or was there another reason? Similarly, Tiwa’s father, after throwing her out, disappears from the narrative entirely. It feels unrealistic that a father and daughter would just move on without any reconciliation or emotional aftermath. Exploring these dynamics further could have added more emotional weight and depth to the story.

FINAL VERDICT

‘A Flicker of Us’ gets a 6.5/10.

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