Testing out Circuits, the new streaming platform which was launched December 2024, we started our voyage with: Asiri Ade. This film is an ambitious tale that intertwines themes of politics, love, and revenge in the rich cultural backdrop of Yoruba kingdoms. The official synopsis teases an intriguing narrative: “In this atypical tale of politics, love, and intrigue, two kingdoms contemplate a royal union for different motives.

A hidden romance, a lurking killer, and a power struggle raise the stakes. Will love triumph or lead to ruin?”

This premise sets expectations for a story laced with drama and suspense, promising a gripping exploration of human desires and political machinations. How was this explored? Let’s find out.

Story

Asiri Ade is a tale of secrets, power, love, and vengeance, where kingdoms contend with the weight of her histories and the choices that shape their futures. Beneath the surface of royal duty and political alliances lies something deeply personal: characters navigating their desires while caught in the crossfire of inherited burdens and expectations.

It’s a story that lingers, where silence says as much as words, and where personal choices collide with the weight of legacy. What does it mean to confront the ghosts of the past while trying to carve a new future? This is the emotional heartbeat of Asiri Ade.

While the story boasts ambitious themes, the execution falters in its clarity. The premise suggests a thrilling exploration of political alliances and personal stakes, but the narrative becomes bogged down by moments of unnecessary exposition that could have been conveyed more effectively through visual storytelling. The use of inconsistent accounts of the killings, for instance, adds confusion rather than enhancing the mystery. At times, the film relies too heavily on telling rather than showing, which can either add or detract from the overall suspense and engagement with the plot.

Despite these issues, Asiri Ade maintains its intrigue through its cultural richness and thematic ambitions.

Plot

It all begins with a murder in Ikarewa—a chief, throat cut clean by a masked man. Leaving us to ask, “Who is the man behind the mask?” And, “Why?” This sets the plot of intrigue in motion. Meanwhile, Princess Oyinade, in Iwajoyin has secrets of her own, a relationship with Irewole, a humble bead maker. But love doesn’t exist in a vacuum; especially not when her father has plans of his own.

The king and chiefs in Ikarewa are trying to make sense of the escalating killings, not knowing that the masked man is tied to a dark history. The climax doesn’t just reveal—it demands. Vengeance, justice, love, and the fragility of alliances collide, leaving behind a resolution that feels both earned and bittersweet.

The plot moves with a steady pace, capturing the audience’s attention scene by scene. But, it often relies too heavily on exposition —tell, not show. This should be seen as the easy route, right? As simple as that could have been, there are moments of narrative inconsistency, such as the contradictory accounts and narratives of the killings. This does two things simultaneously. One, it could confuse viewers. Two, but if you choose to ignore or perhaps you don’t notice, it enhances the story’s mystique. That said, the film does a decent job of building intrigue, especially through the masked killer’s enigmatic presence and the gradual unravelling of secrets.

Certain developments, such as confrontations or moments of revelation, lean on familiar tropes that occasionally undermine the film’s originality. However, the climax weaves the various storylines together effectively, delivering an emotionally satisfying resolution that honours the film’s themes of love and redemption.

Performances

Bolanle Ninalowo portrays King Ajagungbade, a ruler whose aggression and authority should be central to his character. However, despite the weight of the character’s name, which suggests a fierce and combative nature, Ninalowo’s portrayal doesn’t fully convey the menace that the role requires. In scenes where his chiefs act with trepidation, his physical presence doesn’t quite match the perceived fear.

Instead, he appears more like someone who simply commands through authority, sitting and shouting without the intensity expected of a king with a tumultuous past. It’s only through the dialogue of other characters, and when he suddenly becomes angry at King Adewola that we learn of his supposed violent nature.

We may argue that this neutrality between menace and tenderness as an intentional choice, aimed at portraying him as a ruler whose darkness is only revealed in the film’s climactic moments. This would allow the “big reveal” to carry more weight, but in practice, the subtlety of this choice leaves the character feeling underdeveloped and, at times, flat.

Similarly, King Adewola’s characterization seems underdeveloped. Akin Lewis as King Adewola brings warmth and sincerity to his role as a wise and benevolent father. His portrayal of a ruler caught between political obligations and his love for his daughter is grounded, though his performance occasionally feels too passive in moments that call for a deeper internal struggle. While his scenes with Princess Oyinade convey a sense of tenderness, they miss the emotional weight of the king’s more challenging decisions.

Omowunmi Dada offers a portrayal of Princess Oyinade that balances innocence with inner conflict. Her performance is most effective in her moments of emotional vulnerability, particularly in her relationship with Irewole (Mike Afolarin). Dada’s ability to convey the character’s youth and idealism is charming.

Gabriel Afolayan offers a standout performance as Prince Akinade, imbuing the character with authenticity. His portrayal of frustration and inner turmoil is particularly compelling, as he brings emotional depth to a character who, while underdeveloped in the narrative, still feels believable and relatable. Afolayan effectively conveys Akinade’s struggles with his circumstances, making his internal conflict palpable even if the character’s arc isn’t fully explored. His ability to subtly portray Akinade’s internal conflict in just a few scenes, makes the character’s journey, though limited, still impactful.

The supporting characters, including Dele Odule, Adeyela ‘Lizzy Jay’ Adebola, Aisha Lawal, Bolaji Ogunmola, Moji Afolayan Olayiwola,Lasisi Elenu, and Fathia Balogun, deliver competent performances in their respective roles. These characters help flesh out the political intrigue and personal tensions within the story and their contributions feel more functional.

Technical Aspects

The technical elements of Asiri Ade play a significant role in shaping its narrative and emotional tone. The soundtrack, for instance, is a standout feature, providing a lyrical commentary on the unfolding events while heightening tension and making moments resonate more deeply. Tracks like “Níbo lẹ fẹ sa de?” enhance the suspense, particularly in the opening scenes, immersing viewers in the film’s enigmatic world. The score’s strategic timing and cultural undertones elevate key moments, adding a layer of mysticism that aligns with the story’s themes.

However, the technical aspects also have notable shortcomings. From the exaggerated makeup for Bolanle Ninalowo, excessive powder on Gabriel Afolayan’s face to enhance the portrayal of his youth, to the unrealistic theatrical prop swords and weapons, certain practical effects fall below standard. The lighting in some of the night scenes also detracts from the intended atmosphere, coming across as inconsistent and underwhelming.

There is also an attempt to distinguish two key characters through subtle visual cues, such as a mole on the face. However, the mole varies in size and sometimes appears inconsistent, slightly distracting from its intended purpose. These elements, while not fully realised, contribute to a cinematic experience that seeks to balance cultural richness with narrative ambition.

The costumes effectively highlight the film’s cultural richness, these strengths are undermined by the subpar execution of other technical elements.

Final Thoughts

spoiler alert!

The chemistry between Princess Oyinade and Prince Irewole is believable, However, the characters of King Ajagungbade and King Adewola, despite being central to the political conflict, are underdeveloped. The narrative hints at King Ajagungbade’s volatile nature, but this aggression is rarely conveyed on screen. This missed opportunity to show his ruthlessness affects the film’s ability to generate the intended tension.

The film also leans heavily on convenient and clichéd plot devices. For instance, the decision to have King Ajagungbade search for a wife for his son amidst looming political stakes feels misplaced. Why would securing a marital alliance with King Adewola be a priority at such a critical moment? The premise of fostering “political” security through a marriage might have made sense if it had been King Adewola seeking a husband for his daughter. However, this inversion of roles seems poorly executed, derailing the logic of the story. It confuses the audience and weakens the political tension that the narrative seeks to build. Similarly, sequences like the masked killer sparing Ajiroba yet revealing his face feel like forced mechanisms to push the plot forward rather than natural storytelling choices. Prince Akinade’s abrupt decision to kill his father for personal redemption also lacks sufficient emotional groundwork, making it feel rushed and unearned.

While the story hints at a deeply rooted conspiracy, the lack of strong characterization prevents the audience from fully engaging with the stakes. The film, which should have been a suspenseful drama, feels too reliant on plot devices rather than creating real emotional or political investment in its characters.

However, the film is not without merit. The direction and cinematography occasionally elevate the material, especially in a subtle foreshadowing (we won’t divulge where). This scene serves as a clever moment, one that initially seems insignificant but later plays a pivotal role in the unfolding drama.

Verdict

While the film is marked by inconsistencies in its narrative, characterization, and thematic execution, there is a moment of clever storytelling that helps redeem it. These moments offer a satisfying twist, but the film could have benefited from clearer character motivations and a stronger commitment to showing rather than telling, especially in a story that promises mystery and suspense.

Asiri Ade is an intriguing, though imperfect, foray into Yoruba cinema’s potential for storytelling within the political and mystical realms. While it may not fully deliver on the tension promised by its premise, it offers a glimpse into a world steeped in rich tradition. For those who appreciate cultural depth and a bit of mystery, it provides an engaging watch, but for those seeking a tightly-woven thriller, it may fall short.

Asiri Ade is currently streaming on Circuits.

Rating: 3.2/5