Movie Review: When Love Strikes

Released on December 10, 2024, When Love Strikes is directed by Adeoluwa Owu and produced by Inkblot Productions. With a total runtime of 104 minutes, the film is available for streaming on Prime Movies.

Premise

If you enjoy Gen Z romance films with a touch of sports drama, When Love Strikes might just be your cup of tea. While the title doesn’t quite encapsulate the essence of the movie, the cast delivers performances that do their best to carry the storyline.

The film follows Ibukun Saka (Natse Jemide), a promising young footballer who shoulders his late father’s dreams of making it big in the sport. On the brink of securing an MVP title and a spot on a European team, Ibukun finds himself at a crossroads.

Ttorn between fulfilling his father’s aspirations or adhering to his mother’s strict directives.

Fortunately, he has his sister, Tinuke Saka (Osas Ighodaro), as his rock. She is not just a supportive sibling but also has her own dilemmas to navigate. In the midst of his internal battle, Ibukun encounters a distraction—one that threatens to change everything as long-buried truths come to light.

Cast Performance

When Love Strikes features a mix of seasoned and emerging talents, some excelling in their roles while others struggle to fully embody their characters:

Natse Jemide as Ibukun Saka:

Compared to his breakout role in Far From Home, Natse’s portrayal of Ibukun felt somewhat lacking in depth.

His performance struggled to fully capture the emotional weight of a young man grappling with life-altering decisions.

Rosman Shine as Ngozi Okeke:

Easily one of the film’s highlights, Rosman Shine delivers an exceptional performance as Ngozi, the agent’s daughter and Ibukun’s love interest.

Though the romance feels somewhat unprofessional in context, her acting is seamless, effortlessly carrying the role.

Zubby Michael as Nnamdi Okeke:

Known for his intense and often fiery on-screen presence, Zubby takes a different approach in When Love Strikes.

Playing the talent scout responsible for Ibukun’s career trajectory, his performance is more restrained than usual but still commendable. His interactions with Ibukun are some of the film’s most grounded moments.

Osas Ighodaro as Tinuke Saka:

Osas delivers as the supportive yet strong-willed sister. She’s not just there to back Ibukun up—she has her own battles to fight, making her one of the more layered characters in the film.

Bimbo Akintola as Mama Saka:

While Bimbo plays the role of a strict and grieving mother with remarkable skill, she doesn’t get nearly enough screen time. Her performance as the ever-concerned Nigerian mother who always “knows best” is spot on.

Chuks Joseph as Ebuka:

The heart of the Remo Stars football team, Ebuka is lively, engaging, and charismatic. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had been cast as Ibukun instead, but despite the role assignment, Chuks delivers a stellar performance.

Supporting Cast:

Vine Olugu as the bully Jason Okpara is convincingly annoying, while Jimmie Akinsola and Chief SUO as commentators bring much-needed comedic relief to the football scenes.

What Did I Like About When Love Strikes?

The film offers a refreshing platform for Gen Z actors to shine, with standout performances—especially from Rosman Shine, who deserves a lead role in her own movie.

Zubby Michael’s adaptability was impressive, proving he’s not just limited to high-intensity action roles.

The cinematography was top-notch. The crisp lighting and color grading enhanced every scene, making it visually appealing.

What Didn’t I Like About When Love Strikes?

Several scenes felt unnecessary and could have been trimmed to tighten the pacing. For example, Osas at the jazz club, Natse’s blurry dream sequence of his father’s heart attack, and him meeting with Rosman at the hotel—all of these moments lacked depth and didn’t contribute much to the narrative.

The title, When Love Strikes, doesn’t quite fit the storyline. Even after watching, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how it relates. If you figure it out, let me know!

Verdict

When Love Strikes is a solid choice for a weekend movie night, particularly for couples or anyone interested in a mix of football and romance.

While it doesn’t lean heavily into romantic storytelling, there are glimpses of heartfelt connections between characters.

Would I recommend it? Yes, but with managed expectations. It’s entertaining, has its share of laugh-out-loud moments, and showcases some impressive performances.