“Our Films Are for Thinkers” —Kunle Afolayan Defends ‘Anikulapo’ Amid Mixed Reactions
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan has addressed the mixed reactions to his newest Netflix series, Anikulapo:
The Ghoul Awakens, emphasizing that his storytelling is meant for audiences who enjoy layered, thought-provoking narratives rather than mainstream entertainment.
The five-part series, which debuted on Netflix on January 30, is the third installment following his 2022 award-winning film Anikulapo.
While some viewers have expressed confusion over its plot, Afolayan took to Instagram on Tuesday to explain his creative intent.
“Something that is very peculiar to the kind of films that we make is that we make films for the intellectual. We make films for people who can think,” he said.
“I don’t expect that everybody would like the film or understand the film. But I expect that the people I am trying to appeal to would get it.”
Afolayan pointed to his previous works, including Irapada and The Figurine, as examples of projects that initially faced skepticism but later received international acclaim.
He urged viewers and critics to hold off judgment until the entire series is available, drawing parallels to globally popular shows like Game of Thrones.
“I have read feedback from scholars, professors, and deep thinkers, and I appreciate them.
To those who don’t fully get it, let me put it in simple terms: the series has multiple episodes, and what you have seen so far is only a portion,” he said. “How can you conclude that the story is disjointed when you haven’t even seen the full series?”
Afolayan continued, “When you watch series like Game of Thrones, you wait for new episodes each week. You don’t see the whole story at once, yet you don’t dismiss it. We’ve created new plots here.
Those who understand literature and storytelling already get it.
For those who don’t, it’s okay to ask someone who does. Our films are for those who engage with the story critically and thoughtfully.”
His remarks underline a clear mission: Afolayan is committed to producing cinematic works that reward careful attention and critical engagement rather than simply chasing mass-market appeal.
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