Anikulapo is outlandish and entertaining. The Netflix trailer leans into parody of the superhero genre. Do not be fooled, this belongs in the drama category as well as comedy. Starring Kunle Remi and Bimbo Ademoye, the story centers around a weary traveler named Saro, who seeks a new life and opportunity. Although talented, he isn’t the most likable protagonist.

His desires cause a ripple effect of unfortunate events. Saro (Remi) evolves over the course of the movie but in the worst way possible, a cautionary tale of how power corrupts. His lover, Arolake (Ademoye), doesn’t make things better and enables Saro’s poor conduct. The characters are very relatable as they fall on hard times, desperation challenges their moral compass repeatedly. Some behavior is downright reckless or driven by greed.

Fans of folktales can appreciate the messages in Anikulapo. There are themes of adultery, betrayal, karma, and inflated ego. Saro suffers for his actions, yet he continues to push the envelope. It’s difficult to get behind any of the characters or their motivations. Viewers are mere observers to a scene that is going off the rails over the course of two hours.

Combined with hints of fantasy, the film provides plenty of entertainment. Not in the traditional sense of action or spectacle, but humor relative to reality TV. So much messiness and lack of shame. The narrative is an example of what can happen if one is deprived of autonomy for too long. Anikulapo is a pleasant addition to the Netflix library and gets a 6 out of 10.

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