Toyin Abraham’s comedy film Alakada: Bad and Boujee has generated significant buzz ahead of its official release, earning an impressive N6.6 million during preview screenings.
This marks a strong start for the 2024 installment of the popular Alakada series, known for its unique blend of humor and social commentary.
Directed by Adebayo Tijani, the film boasts a star-studded cast, including Toyin Abraham, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Odunlade Adekola, and other prominent Nollywood stars.
Alakada: Bad and Boujee follows its lead character as she navigates a tangled web of lies, manipulations, and abusive relationships, offering a satirical critique of the societal pressures tied to living an extravagant lifestyle.
The story centers on a young woman who creates a false identity, using lies and her boyfriend’s wealth to project an illusion of luxury. Her carefully constructed life begins to crumble when her deception is exposed, and matters worsen when her brother uncovers that she is stuck in an abusive relationship.
Despite the abuse, she chooses to stay, driven by the material comforts the relationship provides. The plot takes a dramatic turn when she witnesses a murder during a boat cruise. However, her reputation as a habitual liar undermines her credibility, adding layers of complexity to the investigation.
What to know
The Alakada series, led by popular actress and producer Toyin Abraham, has a long history of box office successes.
The 2017 film Alakada Reloaded earned N50 million in its first week of release, becoming one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of the year.
The franchise’s success continued with Fate of Alakada: Party Planner, which grossed over N100 million within 53 days of its release in 2020. The film’s success was even more significant as it became the first theatrical release following the COVID-19 shutdown, signalling a strong recovery for the Nigerian film industry.
In addition to the strong box-office numbers, Alakada: Bad and Boujee has piqued interest for its timely narrative on societal issues such as abuse, deception, and the pressure to keep up appearances in the age of social media. The film’s examination of these themes, mixed with comedy, has contributed to its appeal and has attracted a wide range of viewers.
The film’s advance earnings of N6.6 million place it in direct competition with other notable releases in Nigerian cinemas, including The Waiter, which brought in N4.5 million over two days of previews. Both films officially open today, alongside the international release of Mufasa: The Lion King, highlighting the increasingly competitive landscape of Nigerian cinema.
This box office performance suggests that Alakada: Bad and Boujee is poised for a successful run, particularly as it capitalizes on its established fanbase and timely commentary.