Let me start by apologizing that this took this long. I was torn between all the chills this movie gave me and the various hot takes I was seeing online. One thing though that I think I should mention before getting into this review is that there are laid out standards of literary criticism, and a work of literature such as this movie should not be condemned simply because it did not gratify personal expectations. There are more relevant things in the grand scheme of things. I would also like to mention that Nollywood is improving, we see it and we appreciate it. Yes, a lot more can be done better, but the little wins should be appreciated, rather than hurling condemnation (especially from people who have no experience in such matters, because it is easier said than done. Lol).
Now that that has been said, let us get into the review.
First off, the title of this movie does not prepare you for the storyline. Following the trailer and snippets released, the story I looked forward to was one of a rich family with so many skeletons in their cupboard that is trying to marry off one of their daughters to cover their tracks more, and that the girls were literal blood sisters. But I was astounded. Lol. And I loved it.
Blood Sisters tells the story of two young girls Sarah and Kemi who have been friends for a long time, so much that they refer to themselves as sisters. Although they go through so much together, it is the unexpected turnout of Sarah’s wedding that makes them literal ‘blood sisters’- bound by the blood of Kola, the photographer, the good doctor, and maybe Kenny depending on how you want to see the incident that makes them fugitives. The rest of the plot is built around this.
The story highlights themes of abuse, friendship, love, family, loyalty, psychopathy, and many more. A major theme was physical and emotional abuse as we see in the relationship that the Ademolas have with their mother, and its extension to their personal life. This is proven majorly in Kola’s relationship with women as he is so obsessed with himself and being the choicest (from his mother) that he would do anything to make himself feel good, even though it includes beating up other women. He also cannot handle rejection, which is what leads to his fight with Sarah, and his death eventually. The relationship Mrs. Uduak Ademola has with her other Children Femi and Timeyin is emotionally abusive. So much so that Femi feels the need to prove himself always, and even tires to kill his brother. Timeyin also gets pushed into drugs. Yet, their mother wouldn’t budge with her coldness or hatred for them. This to me was the first clue to fact that they are fathered by different men.
In the midst of all that, the undying loyalty, love, and friendship between Kemi and Sarah was one refreshing constant in this story. It was hard to imagine how dramatically the lives of the girls would have to change, but knowing that they had each other, was reassuring. Kenny’s loyalty too, sadly this doesn’t end well. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t think they should get back together, but I definitely didn’t see him dying. I also rooted for Akin and Kemi. Thankfully the way the story ends, there may be hope for this. Nonetheless, amidst very cold family ties, there were friends who stuck closer than brothers, and it was delightful.
Aside…
I must admit that this movie was really heavy for me to digest. I kept wishing Akin was in the room when the confrontation happened so that he too may have been incriminated. Not for any personal reasons, but because the wrath may have been a lot lesser, and more believable as a mistake. But I doubt still, Uduak was determined to get the perpetrators to suffer as much as her son did. Now I understand that the girls were scared and thought of the best way to dispose of the body, but resorting to cutting off the body parts? Lol, that was wild.
By the way, I really love how this movie projects different relationships, and their binding factor. For Sarah’s family, it was duty and money before love. Between Sarah and Kemi, genuine love and loyalty. And sex for the Knacksons, pardon me, Femi and his wife Yinka.
And most importantly, do not send your loved ones to rerehabs
The general execution of the plot was really impressive. No doubt, the story was a good one, especially with unpredictable plot twists. Thankfully, the production was properly done. The actors were amazing, costuming was brilliant, locations, extras, and even the music choice were really commendable.
Yes, it was star-studded, but it wasn’t an unnecessary pool of the big sharks to draw in returns. Everyone really brought in their A-game. Plus, seeing Ramsey Nouah feature as a hitman was a welcome development as it’s not the typical of role you would find him in.
Although there were a few unresolved things that had the potential to puncture the rating of the whole production, like the story of the organ harvester that was brought up and just left to die (especially as the police got introduced to the scene), and the photographer who got ran over, I daresay this was a good one and deserves a strong 8/10.
And that is all for this review.
Thank you for staying to the end. See you!
