Nemsia Studios kicks off the year strongly with Supernowa, director Sonia Irabor’s first film starring Darasimi Nadi. Now streaming on Prime Video, the film stands out by centring a child’s inner world — something Nollywood doesn’t explore nearly enough. With that alone, it already earns attention.
Supernowa
Directed by: Sonia Irabor
Genre: Sonia Irabor
Released on: January 9, 2025 (Prime Video)
Language: English,
An Inner Battle Framed by Competition
The synopsis introduces Nowa Ohini, a gifted twelve-year-old who prefers to remain invisible. Pushed into a spelling competition by a new teacher and her brother, Nowa must face the embodiment of her anxiety and decide whether to continue hiding or finally step into the spotlight.
At its core, the film revolves around Nowa’s struggle with anxiety. This is supported by quieter subplots: the family’s unresolved grief over Osas’ death, Eki’s attempt to prove a point through the spelling bee, Junior’s self-serving motivations, and the tension between father and son. All of these orbit Nowa’s emotional state, even when they don’t fully land.
A Promising Story Undone by Uneven Pacing
The film follows Nowa as she navigates grief, brilliance, and overwhelming pressure. The spelling bee, intended as a tool for growth, instead becomes the primary source of her rising anxiety, amplified by expectations from both her teacher and her brother.
Unfortunately, the pacing works against the story. By the time we reach the first spelling bee, where Nowa has a panic attack, and Eki confronts Junior, the moment feels rushed. While Eki’s frustration is understandable, her reaction doesn’t quite match what we’ve been shown. With only a single scene establishing Junior’s pressure on Nowa, the film expects that moment alone to justify the emotional explosion that follows, leaving the payoff feeling unearned.
Performances That Shine and Struggle
Darasimi Nadi delivers a compelling performance, successfully stepping outside her usual typecasting. Her portrayal of Nowa is grounded and emotionally sincere, making it easy to connect with the character’s inner turmoil.
The sibling dynamic between Darasimi Nadi and Nonso Bassey works on a casting level, and the family unit feels thoughtfully assembled overall. However, Nonso Bassey’s performance struggles in key moments. Scenes that call for heightened emotional intensity — particularly his confrontations with his father — feel muted when they should carry more force. In the early confrontation where Junior is meant to be drunk, the performance doesn’t convincingly communicate that state, ultimately dulling the impact of the scene.
Onyinye Odokoro delivers a steady and believable performance as Eki, while the rest of the cast supports the narrative competently without leaving a lasting impression.
Intentional Visuals Marred by Sound Issues
The film’s cool-toned colour grading suits its sombre emotional landscape, and the use of creative shots reflects a clear sense of intentionality behind the camera. However, these strengths are undermined by moments where the sound inexplicably cuts out, pulling the viewer out of the story.
One area where the film excels is production design. The Ohini home feels lived-in and personal, with thoughtful details, from photographs to books and small decorative items, that subtly reinforce the family’s history.
An Engaging Concept That Needed Higher Stakes
From the opening scene, Supernowa draws you in, immediately sparking curiosity about Nowa’s dreams and the direction of the story. The decision to structure the film around defining words is a clever narrative touch that complements the spelling bee motif. Using a monster as a visual representation of anxiety is another inspired choice, offering a fresh way to explore mental health struggles.
That said, the spelling bee itself never feels as consequential as it should. By the final moments, the lack of tension becomes apparent, likely a direct result of the film’s pacing issues. What should have been a climactic emotional release instead feels subdued.
Verdict
Stories like Supernowa deserve a place in Nollywood, and the film succeeds in handling themes of grief and anxiety with care and originality. While uneven pacing and underdeveloped build-up hold it back from reaching its full potential, its intentions and emotional core remain commendable.
Rating: 2.85/5
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