Inkblot Productions’ A Lagos Love Story is now streaming on Netflix. Its announcement created buzz, thanks to its promising lead actors and the premise of an Afrobeats star falling for his concierge. But does the Naz Onuzo film live up to expectations?

Too Many Threads, Too Little Substance

The synopsis reads: When she’s hired to plan a huge festival in Lagos, Promise unexpectedly finds herself falling for the brash Afrobeats star at the center of it all. Sounds straightforward, but that’s not exactly what happens. Promise is hired as a concierge, not a planner. This discrepancy between the synopsis and the actual plot is a recurring issue in Nollywood—marketing often misrepresents the film itself.

There are three major plot lines here: the romance between Promise and King Kator, Promise’s desperate attempt to save her family home by trying to get a job with Fadekemi Rhodes, and Favour’s seemingly sweet friendship with Adanna, which turns sour. These are supported by minor subplots such as Favour trying to build her fashion brand, King Kator’s contract problems with King Group, and Mayowa offering Promise money to stay in King Kator’s life.

The problem is that none of these plotlines is developed enough to hold weight on its own, and when stitched together, they feel even more disjointed. For example, Promise is deeply invested in saving her family home, but we never really understand why it’s such a big deal to her. Similarly, Adanna’s sudden shift from helpful to predatory toward Favour comes out of nowhere. Their entire dynamic turns without explanation, which leaves you wondering if that was always the intention.

Instead of answers, the film leaves you with a long list of questions—and that’s a problem. None of the characters’ actions feels grounded in motivation. Things just happen, and we’re expected to go along with them.

A Love Story Rushed and Underdeveloped

A Lagos Love Story promises a simple, swoon-worthy romance but doesn’t deliver. The love story between Promise and King Kator never gets the space it needs to grow. From their meet-cute (if you can call Promise falling on top of Kator that) to their eventual fights and reconciliation, it all feels rushed. We don’t get enough quiet, intimate moments to feel the chemistry or believe in their connection. When the conflict comes, it doesn’t hit hard, and when they get back together, it lacks emotional payoff.

Then there’s the King Group contract, a central point that brings the characters together, but the film never explains why he’s stuck in this contract or what’s at risk. The contract serves as a vague device to push the plot forward, but it’s not fleshed out. The lack of detail here weakens the entire foundation of the story. The same goes for Promise’s effort to save her family home, a central plot driver, which is underwritten and lacks clarity.

A Mix of Genuine Talent and Caricature

Mike Afolarin is one of the film’s bright spots. His performance as King Kator is enjoyable, and he brings charm to the character. The casting of Jemima Osunde and Susan Pwajok as sisters works well, and Kalu Ikeagwu is a good fit as their father.

However, A Lagos Love Story is filled with cringeworthy moments. From Promise and King Kator’s initial meeting when she literally falls on top of him to the public argument at the event. The whole sequence is awkward to watch, and it sets the tone for other exaggerated scenes throughout the movie. It seems like the filmmakers were aiming for comedic cringe, but it doesn’t quite land.

Side characters don’t fare as well, particularly Maliya Michael’s portrayal of Deborah, which feels like a caricature rather than a real person. One standout awkward scene is when Shege breaks a piece of art at the party, and Fadekemi lashes out at King Kator. It’s meant to be dramatic, but the execution is off. Fadekemi’s reaction seems out of place, especially since her overall goal is to keep Kator in line with his contract.

Bright and Catchy but Not Enough

Visually, the film is vibrant. The colour grading is lively and matches the light, romantic tone the film seems to be aiming for. It’s easy on the eyes, but good visuals can’t distract from a poorly structured story.

One area A Lagos Love Story gets right is music. Featuring original songs from the fictional King Kator, the film cleverly brings its Afrobeats star to life through sound. A standout moment is the dinner party hosted by Achike, where King Kator delivers a diss track, “Wait for Me,” in response to being forced into an impromptu performance. It’s one of the few scenes where story, performance, and music come together well.

Great Potential, Poor Execution

There were so many storylines that had potential but were abandoned or never fully realised. For instance, the whole conflict around King Kator’s contract with King Group is set up to be a big deal, especially after the humiliating dinner party, yet it’s brushed aside with no resolution.

The relationship between Fadekemi and Achike is also confusing. Is he her boss? Her husband? If he’s her boss, his behaviour is wildly inappropriate. If he’s her husband, then the story should say so. These are basic storytelling details that the film glosses over.

The biggest issue is that the characters are all one-dimensional. Their decisions lack clear motivation, and they move through the story without much purpose. For someone as famous as King Kator, the lack of media attention or online backlash is wildly unrealistic. Moments that should’ve gone viral—like his initial fall with Promise—are treated like non-events. It’s a missed opportunity to explore what it really means to date an Afrobeats superstar in Lagos.

Still, there are moments of creativity—like the inclusion of the Fontain character from King Kator’s hit song “Bad Ass Fontain.” It’s a fun nod for viewers.

Verdict

A Lagos Love Story had the potential to be a charming, feel-good romantic comedy. Instead, it delivers a muddled plot, underdeveloped characters, and a love story that never quite lands.

Rating: 1.75/5