This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Afrowriter (talk | contribs) at 03:56, 29 December 2024 (→Reception). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 03:56, 29 December 2024 by Afrowriter (talk | contribs) (→Reception)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 2024 Nigerian film| Everybody Loves Jenifa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Story by | Funke Akindele |
| Produced by | Funke Akindele Olayemi Oshodi |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John Njaga Demps |
| Edited by | Valentine Chukwuma |
| Music by | Tolu Obanro |
| Production company | Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) |
| Distributed by | FilmOne Distributions Nile Entertainment |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Countries | Nigeria, Ghana |
| Languages | English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Nigeria Pidgin |
Everybody Loves Jenifa is a 2024 Nigerian English-language comedy-drama film directed by Funke Akindele and Tunde Olaoye. The film was produced by Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) in collaboration with Olayemi Oshodi and distributed by FilmOne Distributions. The film stars Funke Akindele in the titular role, alongside Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Adedimeji Lateef, Falz, Layi Wasabi, Jackie Appiah, Omowunmi Dada, Chimezie Imo and Patience Ozokwor. As the sixth installment in the Jenifa film series and a sequel to Jenifa on Lockdown (2021), the movie continues the story of Jenifa as she confronts the challenges posed by a new neighbor who threatens to outshine her charity organization, leading to a series of confrontations fueled by jealousy, rivalry, and personal growth.
In April 2024, Funke Akindele announced a spinoff from the Jenifa franchise titled Everybody Loves Jenifa, scheduled to premiere in December 2024. Akindele served as both writer and director, expressing ambitious expectations for the film, setting a target of ₦5 billion in ticket sales. She confidently stated her belief that the movie could surpass this milestone. Shortly after the announcement, returning and new cast members were announced. Tolu Obanro, who composed the score for Jenifa's Diary and A Tribe Called Judah, returned to compose the film's score. Cinematography was handled by John Njaga Demps, while Valentine Chukwuma served as the editor. Filming began in early 2023 wrapped in 2024, with additional locations including Amen Estate in Lagos, Nigeria; Kumasi, Ghana; and Accra, Ghana. The film is the third in the series since Jenifa series since The Return of Jenifa (2011), which currently ranks 96th among the highest grossing Nigerian films of all time.
Everybody Loves Jenifa premiered at the Filmhouse Lekki IMAX in Lagos on December 8, 2024, and was theatrically released across Nigeria on December 13, 2024, by Filmone Distribution and Nile Entertainment. The film received generally positive reviews from audiences, and it grossed ₦500 million worldwide within 12 days of its release, making it the fastest Nollywood film to reach this milestone. This impressive performance cemented its status as a Nigerian box-office success.
Plot summary
Jenifa heroically rescues a child from a burning house, earning widespread praise from her community in Amen Estate. Her boyfriend, Shege, admires her deeply and introduces her to his business venture, “Shege-Jenifa Water.” Meanwhile, Jenifa shifts her focus to her philanthropic foundation, which equips people with vocational skills through partnerships with prominent trainers like celebrity chef Hilda Baci and fashion designer Veekee James. As she is honored as a humanitarian, her evolution from a bumbling past into a successful businesswoman and philanthropist becomes a source of inspiration for many.
However, Jenifa’s life takes an unexpected turn when a new neighbor, Lobster, moves into the area. Sophisticated and well-connected, Lobster quickly wins the admiration of the community, overshadowing Jenifa’s efforts and threatening her position as the local favorite. Initially welcoming him with her characteristic humor and charm, tensions rise when Lobster dismisses her proposal for collaboration. Her envy grows, and soon her suspicions are confirmed when she witnesses Lobster violently assaulting his wife, Olivia, leaving her in a coma. which after she uncovers Lobster’s fraudulent activities, but Olivia’s mother, Mrs. Agnes, remains silent due to the financial benefits she receives from Lobster. Determined to seek justice, Jenifa enlists the help of Madam Bassey, a women’s rights activist with her own history of overcoming domestic abuse. Despite Madam Bassey’s commitment, resistance arises when Lobster’s sister-in-law, Ogechi, refuses to testify.
As pressure mounts, Lobster resorts to intimidation, even sneaking into Jenifa’s room to threaten her. Undeterred, Jenifa organizes a cultural festival to rally her community. However, threats from Lobster’s associates escalate, forcing her and her friends, including Toyosi and Adaku, to seek refuge at Cordelia’s house after surviving an assassination attempt.
Events take a thrilling turn during the Eko Fest, where Jenifa and her friends are pursued by Lobster’s men. Seeking safety, Jenifa takes a gig in Ghana, hoping distance will provide relief. However, their trip unravels a sinister drug cartel led by the enigmatic Bebe. Their investigation into Lobster’s past leads to comedic misadventures, including mistaken identities, awkward encounters, and a bold infiltration of one of Lobster’s high-profile events disguised as reporters.
Amid the chaos, Jenifa struggles with feelings of inadequacy and growing tensions in her personal life. Her relationship with Shege reaches a breaking point when she declines his marriage proposal, choosing instead to focus on her mission. The stakes rise further when Toyosi confesses her involvement with a dangerous gang led by Sheriff, which draws Bebe and her associates into their lives. Jenifa and her friends are kidnapped and tortured by the gang, but a dramatic police intervention saves them, leading to Bebe’s arrest.
In a climactic charity gala, Jenifa confronts Lobster in a heated exchange where his insecurities and need for validation are exposed. Moved by his vulnerability, Jenifa chooses to set aside their differences, merging their efforts to create a more impactful organization.
In the end, Jenifa’s resilience and compassion triumph. Her journey underscores the power of unity, self-acceptance, and forgiveness. The film concludes with Jenifa and Lobster co-hosting a charity event, symbolizing their transformed relationship and shared commitment to uplifting their community.
Cast
- Main characters: (left to right) Funke Akindele, Stan Nze and Bisola Aiyeola
- Funke Akindele as Jenifa
- Stan Nze as Lobster
- Omowunmi Dada as Mimi
- Jackie Appiah as Bebe
- Nancy Isime as Olivia
- Destiny Etiko as Angel
- Patience Ozonkwo as Mrs Agnes
- Omotunde Adebowale as Adaku
- Falz as Shege
- Juliana Olayode as Toyo
- Layi Wasabi as Rex
- Tobi Makinde as Timini
- Bisola Aiyeola as Madam Bassey
- Lateef Adedimeji
Production
Development and casting
In April 2024, Funke Akindele officially announced the development of Everybody Loves Jenifa, a spinoff from the acclaimed Jenifa franchise. The project was conceived as a continuation of the series' legacy while introducing fresh perspectives and heightened stakes for the titular character. Akindele served as the film’s writer and co-director alongside Tunde Olaoye, aiming to blend humor, drama, and social commentary in a way that resonated with a broad audience.
Akindele expressed her ambition for the film by setting a box-office target of ₦5 billion, a bold declaration that underscored her confidence in the story’s appeal. Shortly after the announcement, returning and new cast members were revealed, including Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, and Patience Ozokwor, alongside long-time collaborators like Falz and Omowunmi Dada.
During the production of Everybody Loves Jenifa, efforts were made to create a visually engaging experience for viewers. For one scene, an entire house was lit to achieve the desired effect, requiring the use of specialized lighting techniques and equipment. The production and post-production teams collaborated to integrate on-set lighting with digital enhancements during post-production, aiming to align the visuals with the film's narrative.
The casting process combined established names from the Jenifa series with new faces to add fresh dynamics to the narrative. Funke Akindele reprised her iconic role as Jenifa, while Stan Nze joined the cast as Lobster, Jenifa’s rival. The inclusion of Adedimeji Lateef, and Jackie Appiah brought further star power to the ensemble. Additionally, Akindele's first on-screen kiss in the film, where her character Jenifa kisses Shege, played by Falz, has sparked discussions among her friends and supporters.
Filming
Principal photography commenced in early 2024, with Nigeria serving as the primary filming location . The production involved a team of 100 cast and crew members. Key scenes were filmed at Amen Estate in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as in Kumasi and Accra, Ghana, to capture the film's diverse settings. The cinematography was led by John Njaga Demps, while Valentine Chukwuma handled the editing. Additionally, the team spent two days filming promotional content for the movie and the music video for Everybody Loves Christmas, a song released ahead of the film's premiere.
Music and score
Main article: Everybody Loves ChristmasBefore the release of Everybody Loves Jenifa in cinemas, Funke Akindele and some cast members released a song titled "Everybody Loves Christmas," a theme song for the film. The five-minute video features several cast members, including Falz, Layi Wasabi, Dbanj, Patience Ozokwor, Chimezie Imo, Tope Tedela, Omotunde Adebowale-David, Bisola Aiyeola, Jide Kosoko, Omowunmi Dada, Juliana Olayode, Nancy Isime, and Waje.
Tolu Obanro, who previously worked on Jenifa's Diary and A Tribe Called Judah, returned to compose the film's score. His work blended contemporary Nigerian sounds with cinematic orchestration, enhancing the emotional and comedic beats of the movie.
Release and distribution
Everybody Loves Jenifa premiered at the Filmhouse Lekki IMAX in Lagos on December 8, 2024, and was theatrically released across Nigeria on December 13, 2024, by Filmone Distribution. The film also premiered in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2024; however, tickets had sold out in the UK prior to the premiere date.
Reception
Box office
Following its release, Everybody Loves Jenifa reportedly grossed over ₦40 million on its opening day, breaking the record for the highest opening day for a Nollywood film with ₦45.2 million. Within its first seven days in cinemas, the film earned ₦355.1 million, making it a commercial success in Nigeria. By its second weekend, starting on December 23, 2024, the film had reportedly surpassed ₦700 million in total earnings. Within 12 days, it became the highest grossing Nigerian films film to date. Internationally, it earned $100,000 during its opening week in cinemas across the diaspora, reportedly achieving the distinction of having the largest opening weekend for a Nollywood film outside Africa.
Critical response
Somi B of Nolly critic gave the film a "
" (3.00 out of 5) rating and said" its an interesting but uneven crowd-pleaser, propped up by undeniable star power and scattered moments of charm. Entertaining, yes, but ultimately unsatisfactory as a cohesive cinematic experience. Joseph Jonathan of AfroCritik rated Everybody Loves Jenifa 2.7 out of 5 stars, describing it as "a worthwhile film" as it does not try to rehash the experiences of Jenifa in previous years.. However, he noted that the film suffers from a somewhat convoluted narrative as it attempts to balance two distinct storylines. This approach, he argued, creates more questions than answers. With one part of the story set in Nigeria and the other in Ghana, the film introduces gaps in both narratives, leading to underdeveloped plot points and characters.
References
- Fasan, Yewande (2024-11-22). "I believe 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' will hit N5 Billion - Funke Akindele". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- ADEKUNLE, MUSA (2024-12-09). "Who stole the show at Funke Akindele's Everybody Loves Jenifa premiere". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- David, Obed (2024-12-24). "'Everybody Loves Jenifa' sets unprecedented Box Office Record". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Mosadioluwa, Adam (2024-12-23). "Everybody Loves Jenifa becomes quickest Nollywood movie to gross N500m". Tribune Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Ogungbenle, Oluwadamilola (2024-04-24). "Funke Akindele reintroduces 'Jenifa' with new series 'Everybody loves Jenifa'". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Eti-Inyene, Brooks (21 November 2024). "'Everybody Loves Jenifa' will make ₦5 Billion- Box Office Queen, Funke Akindele". www.pulse.ng. Archived from the original on 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- hamzat (2024-11-07). "Funke Akindele Returns With 'Everybody Loves Jenifa'". Global Excellence Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Fasan, Yewande (2024-08-10). "Funke Akindele partners with Lagos fire service for upcoming film". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- Afigbo, Chinasa (2024-12-27). ""Looks risky": Funke Akindele reportedly set her mansion on fire for ELJ scene". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- Udugba, Anthony (2024-09-26). "Funke Akindele aims for new heights with 'Everybody Loves Jenifa'". Businessday NG. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- YNaija (2024-12-09). "Here are the Celebrities at the Premiere of "Everybody Loves Jenifa" » YNaija". YNaija. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Nwafor (2024-12-09). "Funke Akindele shocks fans with first on-screen kiss in upcoming movie 'Everybody Loves Jenifa'". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- ""Everybody Loves Jenifa": A Messy Yet Charming Festive Crowd-Pleaser". Nollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- "Everything We Know About 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' - What Kept Me Up". 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- "Nigerian Filmmaker Funke Akindele Knows She Can Break Her Own Record | OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- "Jide Kosoko, Patience Ozokwor turn musicians in 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' soundtrack (VIDEO)". www.premiumtimesng.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-17.
- Simon, Stephanie (2024-12-09). "'Everybody loves Jenifa' premieres in Lagos". Voice of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ADEKUNLE, MUSA (2024-12-10). "Funke Akindele's 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' sells out ahead of UK premiere". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Archived from the original on 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- Bolawa, Pelumi (2024-12-14). "'Everybody Loves Jenifa' sets Nollywood's box office record for opening day with N45m". TheCable Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- Peaceman, Pandora (2024-12-15). "'Everybody Loves Jennifa' Shatters Box Office Record With Over N40m". New Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
- Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-12-22). "'Everybody Loves Jenifa' hits N355.1 million in 7 days". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Fasan, Yewande (2024-12-27). ""Everybody Loves Jenifa" breaks box office records with N783m in two weeks". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- Dan-Awoh, Deborah (2024-12-27). "2024 highest grossing: Everybody Loves Jenifa earns N783 million in 14 days". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- SIMON, Justina. "'Everybody Loves Jenifa' Rakes In $100,000 in Diaspora Debut Week – The Whistler Newspaper". thewhistler.ng. Archived from the original on 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- B, Somi (2024-12-23). "Everybody Loves Jenifa: Festive Spectacle or Hollow Nostalgia? -". Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Jonathan, Joseph (2024-12-19). ""Everybody Loves Jenifa" Review: Funke Akindele's Latest Film Is a Worthy Addition to the 'Jenifa' Franchise - Afrocritik". Retrieved 2024-12-25.
