Family Brouhaha is a 2025 Nigerian comedy-drama directed by Femi Adebayo. The film centers on a three-generation Nigerian family with a prominent cocoa dynasty and explores themes of unity and inheritance amid familial conflicts. It premiered in cinemas on April 11, 2025, and is currently showing in theaters across Nigeria.
The Premise
Family Brouhaha follows the Braimoh family, wealthy, flamboyant, and fuelled by generations of cocoa money. So rich that even the third generation is coasting on inherited luxury. But the party comes to a screeching halt when the family matriarch, Mrs. Braimoh, a widowed mother and grandmother, suddenly blocks all credit cards.
Convinced by her sister-in-law and confidante, Joke, that she’s done the right thing, she invites the entire family for what she hopes will be a calm, intimate 80th birthday celebration. What she gets instead is a full-blown family circus.
Her three children—Mofe, Abolanle, and Abiola—arrive with their respective families, baggage and all. The grandchildren—Nasir, Chibuzor, Kunle, and Wale—aren’t left out of the drama either. What was meant to be a simple family gathering quickly spirals into chaos, with fights erupting at every turn, secrets spilling, and romantic entanglements that would give a soap opera a run for its money. We’re talking daughters fighting over the same man, that man secretly dating someone’s girlfriend, and one of the wives playing adultery out like a gigolo-sponsored reality show.
Every argument pushes Mrs. Braimoh closer to the edge until she’s storming out in regret, repeatedly dreading ever bringing the family together. Even on the day of her big celebration, the chaos doesn’t let up, and once again, she walks away. But this time, she doesn’t return.
You’d think the family might finally come to their senses. Not quite. At the reading of her will, Mrs. Braimoh plays her final card. And in a twist no one sees coming, the family members scrambling for wealth are left empty-handed, as an unlikely Braimoh emerges the sole heir.
Casts and Performances
Joke Silva takes on the role of Mrs. Braimoh, the elegant yet weary matriarch trying to hold her chaotic family together. Tina Mba plays Joke, her supportive sister-in-law and confidante. Wale Ojo appears as Mofe, the eldest son, married to Shola, played by Jaiye Kuti, with their sons Kunle and Wale portrayed by Tayo Faniran and Timini Egbuson, respectively.
Shaffy Bello delivers her usual glamour as Abolanle, Mrs. Braimoh’s daughter, while her on-screen husband Gbenga is played by Ifeanyi Kalu. Their children, Chibuzor and Nasir, are played by Uzee Usman and Gabriel Afolayan. Then there’s Abiola, the third sibling, portrayed by Dezar De Great, who’s married to Flora (Ada). Teddy A also makes a notable appearance as Ade, Wale’s friend and a smooth-talking gigolo. To top it all off, there are surprise cameos by Layi Wasabi and Charles Okpocha, both of whom add some extra spark to the mix.
As for performances, nothing particularly blew me away, not because the actors aren’t talented but because the script didn’t give them much to work with. Still, Gabriel Afolayan brought a grounded energy to his role, and Layi Wasabi, with his usual dry wit, managed to stand out in a crowd of familiar faces.
What I liked
While the story struggled in execution, the film did shine in a few technical areas. The costume design was vibrant and thoughtful, capturing the essence of each character and their place within the Braimoh family.
The set design also deserves credit, it added a touch of elegance and authenticity to the world they tried to build. Visually, the cinematography held up well, offering some well-composed shots that elevated the look and feel of the movie. Though the content lacked depth, the technical aspects showed that someone behind the scenes cared about the details.
What I Didn’t Like
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the casting. It was hard to overlook the age gaps (or lack thereof). Joke Silva, who plays the matriarch, is in her early 60s in real life, while her supposed children, Wale Ojo and Shaffy Bello, are in their mid-50s. They didn’t quite look like her kids, they looked more like siblings. A more believable choice for that role might have been someone like Taiwo Ajai-Lycett.
For a film that was pitched as a comedy-drama, it delivered very little comedy—until much later in the movie when Layi Wasabi and Charles Okpocha entered the scene and finally brought some actual laughs. Honestly, I laughed more watching Labake Olododo than I did here.
As for the drama, there was plenty of it, so much that it felt like the filmmakers themselves lost track of what was going on. I found myself confused more often than not because certain scenes, characters, and dialogue just didn’t add up. Like the mention of a beach house in Abuja… which beach, exactly? Abuja isn’t coastal.
Then, there’s the confusion around names and family ties. One son is named Chibuzor, the other Nasir, their father is Gbenga, and none of it is explained. At one point, Gbenga is speaking Hausa with a daughter we’ve never seen before. It left me wondering, what in the WAZOBIA is going on?
A lot of the setups, whether it was scenes, conflicts, or character arcs, never led anywhere. They dangled storylines in front of us and never tied them together. Instead of a cliffhanger, I felt thrown off a cliff by a plot that was all over the place, leading to an ending that felt rushed and uninspired.
Final Thoughts
Family Brouhaha had all the ingredients for a gripping comedy-drama—stellar cast, vibrant set design, and potential for layered storytelling. But inconsistent writing, confusing character arcs, and missed comedic beats held it back. Despite some bright moments, it struggled to deliver on its promise, leaving more questions than satisfaction in the end.
Rating
I would rate this movie 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Did Family Brouhaha leave you entertained or just confused? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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