My Mother Is a Witch is a 2025 Nigerian psychological family drama directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and co-produced by Efe Irele. It premiered in Nigerian cinemas on May 23, 2025. Rated 12, it has a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. The film explores a fractured bond between a mother and daughter and stars Efe Irele, Mercy Aigbe, and Timini Egbuson.
The Premise
The story begins in the UK, where Imutiyan, known in her professional world as Jess, is in the middle of styling a high-end fashion shoot. Her phone rings persistently, but she doesn’t pick up. Later that day, while having drinks with her assistant, she finally checks her messages. It’s from a doctor in Nigeria informing her that her mother has just passed away… and left her a final video message.
In the video, her mother pleads for forgiveness, for the distance between them and for the love that often looked like control. Her dying wish: for Jess to come home. Just once. To bury her.
Jess hasn’t set foot in Nigeria in over a decade, and certainly not in Benin City, the place filled with memories she’d rather forget. Neighbours, Dr Ayo, and even strangers welcome Jess warmly when she arrives. She doesn’t plan to stay long, but learns her mother’s burial is a matter of tradition and time.
What begins as a reluctant trip becomes something far more personal. Through flashbacks and confrontations, Jess is forced to relive the pain that pushed her away—harsh parenting, lost love, and a secret that changed everything. But she also begins to see fragments of love she hadn’t noticed before—sacrifices her mother made in silence, words left unsaid.
As the days unfold, Jess discovers that healing isn’t immediate. It’s awkward, painful, and often requires more questions than answers. But somewhere between the tears, the tension, and the tenderness, she begins to piece together a different version of her mother—the woman and the parent.
My Mother Is A Witch is a story about resentment. It’s also about grief, forgiveness, and the complicated love between African parents and the children they raise. It’s about the psychological traumas that may follow, and sometimes, it takes going all the way back to move forward.
Casts and Performances
Efe Irele plays Jess, also known as Imu. She delivers a heartfelt performance filled with pain and vulnerability. Her portrayal shows the weight of childhood trauma and the struggle to forgive a complicated mother.
Mercy Aigbe plays Mama Imu. This might be another award-worthy role for her. She manages to blend cruelty with a longing for healing and reconnection. It’s a layered role, and she plays it with depth.
Timini Egbuson as Dr. Ayo feels like a misstep, lacking the precision and presence the role required.
He doesn’t quite embody the seriousness or believability expected of a doctor in such a pivotal role.
Neo plays Gabriel, Imu’s teenage love. His role, though brief, adds emotional context to Imu’s past.
What I liked
What I liked most about My Mother is a Witch was its honest and familiar storyline. it reflected tough love in Nigerian parenting, capturing how some parents show concern through discipline, even when it leaves lasting emotional wounds. It’s encouraging to see Nollywood embrace stories that are both culturally rooted and emotionally relatable.
I also appreciated the film’s use of Benin culture. It offered something different from the usual Yoruba or Igbo focus. It was nice seeing a film embrace less-highlighted traditions and still feel authentic.
The setting was another win. The UK scenes were shot on location, avoiding the usual green screens or poorly set pieces. It added realism and visual appeal.
Lastly, I was truly impressed by the makeup on Mercy Aigbe’s character. It convincingly showed her decline, helping sell the emotional weight of her role.
Weak Points
One thing that stood out negatively was the film’s treatment of medical details. Mama Imu’s illness was vaguely portrayed without explanation. This highlights a recurring issue in Nollywood: a lack of medical accuracy or expert consultation on set. It weakens the believability of health-related storylines.
Another misstep was Gabriel’s ending. Seeing him as a motorcycle rider felt forced and unnecessary. His character arc wasn’t built to suggest that path. It seemed inserted just to prove Mama Imu right. That moment didn’t serve the story and could have been left out without any impact on the plot.
Final Thoughts
My Mother Is a Witch is a bold story rooted in emotion and trauma. It offers a relatable look at Nigerian parenting and the effects of unhealed wounds. The performances, especially by Efe Irele and Mercy Aigbe, carried the film’s emotional weight. Despite some weak points, the story leaves a lasting impression. It’s a commendable effort and a conversation starter on love, pain, and forgiveness in Nigerian homes.
Rating
I would rate My Mother Is A Witch 4 out of 5 stars.
Have you ever had to unlearn the way love was shown to you growing up?
Be the first to comment