After charming us in Before 30 nearly a decade ago, Temi, Nkem, Aisha, and Ama return older, layered, and more introspective. The pressures of marrying before 30 have faded, but the journey isn’t over. Instead, After 30 explores what it means to live life on your own terms after the deadline society sets for women.
Set in Lagos, the story follows:
- Temi (Damilola Adegbite)—still hung up on Ayo (OC Ukeje), caught in a love triangle with newcomer Kunle (Samuel Asa’ah).
- Nkem (Beverly Naya)—career-driven and sexually liberated, now longing for motherhood.
- Aisha (Meg Otanwa)—crumbling quietly under the weight of being the “perfect mother.”
- Ama (Anee Icha)—suddenly wealthy, exploring her passions and a budding relationship with newcomer Alice (Celestina Aleobua).
Real Talk: What We Couldn’t Ignore While Watching
Before we dive into the full review, here are a few things that made us raise our eyebrows, laugh out loud, or pause in thought:
- Temi is a top-tier lawyer, yet she lets dodgy police officers intimidate her? Writers, explain!
- That Breath of Life Easter egg cameo? A fun surprise for fans of Nemsia Films’ catalog.
- ₦875,000 for a glass vase?! What kind of interior designer is Ama using?
- Temi’s dramatic gag reflex at PDA classic bitter single friend energy or something deeper?
- Meg Otanwa deserves accolades — her portrayal of post-partum depression (again!) feels lived-in and nuanced. (She also did this beautifully in For Maria: Ebun Pataki.)
Female Friendship Gets an Honest Upgrade
Forget the surface-level “girl squad” trope. After 30 dives deep into how women support and sometimes fail each other in the most vulnerable seasons of life. It’s a big step forward from earlier Nollywood portrayals, where female friendships were background noise to romance or drama. Think Glamour Girls (1994) versus Isoken (2017) or Flawsome (2022) this film falls in the latter camp.
Direction & Writing: Ambitious but Flawed
Momo Spaine makes her directorial debut with a script co-written by Bibi Ukpo (Princess On A Hill) and BB Sasore (Breath of Life). The film shines when it lets the women simply exist in their complexities, but stumbles in its pacing and abrupt plot shifts, especially in the final act. A tighter script would’ve elevated the emotional weight the actors bring so naturally.
Themes: Feminism Without the Hashtag
Though it avoids labeling itself as a “feminist” film, After 30 raises powerful questions:
- Is motherhood an aspiration, or a devotion?
- Can same-sex relationships be portrayed in Nigerian cinema with care and nuance?
It’s rare to see Nollywood balance such delicate topics without reducing them to caricature. After 30 does it quietly but meaningfully.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?
Absolutely. If you loved Before 30, this sequel offers maturity, humor, and realness. It’s not perfect, but it’s deeply relatable for anyone figuring out who they are after life’s imaginary deadlines.
Festival Debut: NollywoodWeek Paris 2025
