The original was a solid watch, and expectations were high to see how the story would continue. But after watching the sequel, I was left disappointed. It felt like the story had no real direction. Rather than feeling entertained or enlightened, I found myself angered, and my expression while watching made that clear. The confusion lingered even after the final scene.

‘After 30’ follows the story of four Nigerian women over 30 navigating love, friendship, and societal pressure to settle down. Balancing careers, growth, and evolving relationships, they challenge norms in a world that often defines women by status. A compelling drama about modern women redefining life on their terms.

The costumes were eye-catching, vibrant, and beautifully styled. Having seen the prequel, it was refreshing to witness how much the industry has evolved, the growth was evident and impressive. Each outfit seemed carefully curated to reflect the characters’ personalities and even their religious beliefs. The thoughtfulness and intentionality put into the costumes cannot be overemphasised. They truly stood out as the film’s major highlight. Once again, the costumes were simply beautiful.

All four ladies showed off and showed out with their impeccable acting prowess. They fully embodied their roles, making it easy to feel the emotions not just for the characters but also for the actors portraying them. Once again, their growth over the years was undeniable. Meg Otanwa stood out with her now improved Hausa accent and smooth French, which I loved. Each of the four brought their A-game, and Dakore’s cameo appearance revealed a different and refreshing side of her.

The cinematography, lighting, soundtrack and set design were also commendable. The visuals were crisp, the lighting enhanced the mood of each scene, and the soundtrack flowed seamlessly with the story. Also worth mentioning is the heartfelt tribute to Kabiri Fubara, it was simple yet deeply human, a touching moment that added emotional weight to the film.

The story in ‘After 30’ feels flawed, and it left me questioning the filmmakers’ objective. Was the goal to entertain, to educate, or simply to continue where the first series ended? I struggled to identify a clear theme. The friendship angle, which seemed like the central thread, ended up looking toxic and loveless, especially after the exaggerated fight between Aisha and Nkem.

Although the film focused on women, their portrayal lacked clarity. After all the years that had supposedly passed, the characters still made the same poor choices, struggled to communicate, and remained indecisive. There was no sense of growth. At no point did the women seem empowered or portrayed in a positive light, which made me question what message the filmmakers were trying to convey.

Some scenes also felt unrealistic and misinformed. For example, the claim that tube-tying is “irreversible” was misleading, as it isn’t entirely true. It can sometimes be reversed through another major surgery. And then there was the cliffhanger. After all the soulmate buildup, Temi still went back to Ortega. Are we expected to wait for another sequel?

The movie lacked depth and felt rushed at times. It touched on themes like postpartum depression but didn’t explore them fully or give them the emotional weight they deserve.

‘After 30’ gets a 5/10

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