Sitting through Sarah’s Bind was an exercise in patience. The film attempts to explore the consequences of overprotective parenting but does so in a way that feels heavy-handed and lacking in nuance. From the outset, it becomes clear that the film relies on tired tropes, unnatural dialogue, and forced drama to communicate its message.

Rather than presenting a layered discussion, it simplifies complex themes into a predictable narrative. Yet, for all its flaws, the film does manage to raise pertinent questions, questions it fails to answer effectively.

Plot

The narrative follows Mrs Jimma, who, despite resenting her own mother’s strictness, finds herself imposing the same restrictions on Sarah, her daughter. At first, she appears more permissive, allowing Sarah to complete her NYSC, but after a conversation with her friend Clara, fear consumes her. Rather than reflecting on her own experiences, she tightens her control, convinced that she is preventing Sarah from making the same mistakes she made.

This shift in character feels abrupt and unearned, making her arc less of a natural progression and more of a forced plot device.

Sarah, meanwhile, remains largely passive throughout the film. Even when faced with physical reprimands and emotional manipulation, she does not retaliate, nor does she actively push against her mother’s control. Her romantic subplot with Joshua follows a problematic trajectory—despite her initial dismissiveness and his manipulative behaviour, she eventually gives in after his persistent pursuit.

The father, Mr Jimma, who has been absent for 21 years, suddenly appears as the “reasonable” parent. The film’s pacing suffers from unnecessary repetition, with several scenes dedicated to Sarah recounting past events to friends, dragging the runtime beyond what the story necessitates.

Story

At its heart, Sarah’s Bind is a film about fear—how a parent’s unresolved past can unconsciously dictate their approach to raising a child. Mrs Jimma, shaped by a restrictive upbringing, resents her own mother’s control but repeats the same patterns with her daughter, Sarah. The film attempts to explore the consequences of excessive protection: does it truly safeguard children, or does it push them towards rebellion?

However, instead of offering a layered discussion, the film presents a rigid, almost fatalistic approach to parenting, suggesting that people inevitably become their parents if they lack awareness. It highlights the cycle of learned behaviour, yet it does little to challenge or subvert it. The film also touches on gender-based parenting disparities, reinforcing the societal tendency to over-monitor girls while giving boys more freedom, though it never fully interrogates this imbalance.

Tonally, the film positions itself as a family drama, but its execution leans more towards melodrama, with exaggerated conflicts that feel contrived rather than organic. There’s an evident attempt to make the story emotionally compelling, but instead of developing characters through meaningful interactions, the film relies on heavy-handed dialogue and repetitive scenarios. Despite its intent to shed light on real-life struggles, the film ultimately lacks the subtlety required to make its themes truly impactful.

The story could have been a thought-provoking reflection on parenting, gender roles, and autonomy, but instead, it becomes a frustrating portrayal of unexamined cycles and unchallenged ideologies.

Performances

The performances feel stiff and unconvincing, largely due to weak character development and uninspired dialogue.

Mrs Jimma, positioned as a conflicted anti-hero, comes across as one-dimensional, her emotional turmoil conveyed through exaggerated outbursts rather than genuine depth. Sarah, despite being the supposed protagonist, lacks agency. Her passivity, both in dealing with her mother’s control and her interactions with Joshua, makes her a frustratingly weak character, reinforcing the idea that she is merely a product of her circumstances rather than an individual with her own convictions.

Joshua, on the other hand, embodies a problematic masculinity that the film fails to critique—his manipulative behaviour is presented as persistence, his entitlement as charm.

The dialogue delivery across the board is unnatural, making emotional moments pre-planned and forced rather than impactful. Even the film’s attempts at confrontation and catharsis fall flat due to the lack of believable chemistry between the characters.

Technical Aspects

From a filmmaking perspective, Sarah’s Bind struggles in execution. The cinematography is inconsistent, with a few shaky shots that feel more like production errors than creative choices. The lighting some scenes is poorly managed.

The score does little to enhance the film, often feeling misplaced or redundant. While the soundtrack manages to convey the film’s themes, its composition is not so impressive. Overall, the technical flaws amplify the already weak storytelling, making the film feel unpolished.

Final Thoughts

One of the most frustrating aspects of the film is its portrayal of gender roles. The film places women in limiting stereotypes. Mrs Jimma is overbearing and emotionally volatile, Sarah is naïve and submissive, and even secondary female characters lack depth. Men, by contrast, are positioned as either the “reasonable” counterbalance (Mr Jimma) or the persistent, entitled suitor (Joshua), both of whom the film frames as inherently good.

Mr Jimma, despite abandoning his family for over two decades, is suddenly presented as the voice of wisdom. Joshua’s relentless pursuit of Sarah follows an outdated romantic trope that, in reality, normalises disrespect of personal boundaries.

Persistent pursuit in fiction often creates a controlled environment where audiences know that feelings will eventually be reciprocated. However, in real life, there is no such guarantee. What is framed as “romantic determination” can often feel like coercion.

Joshua’s character exemplifies this entitlement, disregarding Sarah’s disinterest until she finally relents, which sends a problematic message about relationships. The film does not critique this dynamic, making it even more frustrating to watch unfold. And this is just one of its major pitfalls.

Ultimately, Sarah’s Bind lacks nuance, presenting its themes in a way that feels regressive rather than thought-provoking.

Verdict

Sarah’s Bind attempts to explore important themes but is ultimately bogged down by weak storytelling, problematic gender portrayals, and poor technical execution. It lacks the nuance and polish needed to make a meaningful impact, resulting in a frustrating viewing experience. Based on this judgement, the film gets a rating of 2/5 stars.

Rating: 1.75/5