Kambili Ofili’s directorial debut, Shaping Us, may not have made a big splash when it was released earlier this year, but it’s certainly worth your attention. Despite earning 10 nominations at the 2024 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, it somehow flew under the radar. We’re a little late to the party, but better late than never. Here’s our take on this deeply emotional drama, which is now streaming on multiple platforms.

A Dinner Party with Layers of Emotion

The film’s synopsis tells us that a farewell dinner for Maks sparks shocking revelations among a close-knit group of friends—Ara, Biodun, Yan, Zee, and Kwams—bringing buried secrets and desires to the surface. While that sounds straightforward, the story goes deeper than a single evening of revelations.

The main plot threads follow Ara and Biodun, a couple who have struggled for years to conceive and are finally expecting their first child. Their joy becomes the backdrop for what is meant to be an intimate dinner party for their friend Maks, who is relocating. However, tension brews beneath the surface. Another storyline follows Zee and Yan, a couple adjusting to life as new parents while grappling with the emotional toll of postpartum depression. Meanwhile, Kwams quietly nurses feelings for Maks, feelings he struggles to express as she prepares to relocate.

Smaller arcs—like the security guard Jimoh’s strained relationship with his daughter Angel, and the emotional undercurrents of Maks inviting Tobi to the party—add layers of emotional texture to the evening’s unfolding drama.

Storytelling That Feels Real and Rooted

The film opens by taking us through several years in the lives of Ara and Biodun as they try to have a child. We witness their heartbreak and resilience, and by the time the core story begins, we’re already invested in their journey. Their farewell dinner for Maks sets the stage for everything that follows, but what makes the story work is how grounded and real it feels.

The narrative is simple but deeply considered. Every interaction and revelation feels earned, and the emotional payoff comes not from melodrama but from how authentically the characters’ struggles are portrayed. Even though some reveals—like the paternity of Ara’s unborn child—feel predictable, the eventual twist brings a surprising emotional depth that lingers.

Performances That Carry the Weight of the Story

The performances in Shaping Us are emotionally resonant and impressively grounded. Kambili Ofili’s portrayal of Ara is deeply affecting, especially in scenes where the weight of her fertility journey becomes overwhelming. Floyd Igbo’s Biodun matches her vulnerability with quiet strength, creating a believable, emotionally complex couple.

Uzoamaka Power, formerly Aniunoh, shines in a particularly memorable moment when Zee finally voices her frustrations and emotional exhaustion to her husband Yan in front of everyone, played with care by Bucci Franklin. The scene feels painfully honest, capturing the tension that often accompanies new parenthood.

There’s also a quiet spark between James Gardiner’s Kwams and Omowunmi Dada’s Maks that subtly anchors another emotional thread of the film. Their chemistry doesn’t need grand gestures to feel real—it’s in the pauses, the eye contact, and everything unsaid.

Visuals and Sound That Deepen the Tension

Visually, Shaping Us maintains a muted but polished aesthetic that complements the film’s emotionally tense tone. The cinematography is clean and intentional, with framing that emphasizes the emotional isolation or connection of characters in each scene. It doesn’t draw attention to itself, but instead quietly supports the story being told.

The music in this film is especially well used. From the start of the dinner party, it creates a sense of subtle unease. The score never overwhelms but lingers in the background, effectively building tension and signaling that something deeper is simmering beneath the surface of each conversation.

Vulnerability Meets Emotional Payoff

What Shaping Us does best is capturing the fragility and resilience of human connection. The dinner party structure might seem like a simple setup, but it’s cleverly used to peel back the emotional layers of each character, one by one. Even when you anticipate certain plot twists, it’s the emotional fallout that makes them feel impactful.

The final reveal about the true paternity of Ara’s child is handled with a surprising amount of grace. Rather than turning it into a scandal, the film leans into emotional truth. That’s a choice that speaks to the kind of story Shaping Us is trying to tell—one rooted in emotional realism rather than theatrics.

There’s something refreshing about how these characters are allowed to feel deeply, make mistakes, hurt one another, and still find their way toward healing. It’s not about tying up every storyline with a bow, but about capturing the reality of adult relationships: messy, complicated, and deeply human.

Verdict

At its core, Shaping Us explores the complexities of motherhood—both the longing for it and the emotional toll it can take—while also shining a light on love, friendship, and forgiveness. It’s a patient, heartfelt film that trusts its characters and trusts the audience to sit with discomfort long enough to find the meaning behind it, earning it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 3.5/5