Sometimes, a family doesn't need to agree on everything to show up for one another. Sometimes, trouble is what finally reminds them that they are family. That is the heart of A Tribe Called Judah, a 2023 Nollywood comedy-crime drama (I call it C²) directed by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu.
The movie follows Jedidah Judah, played by Funke Akindele. A single mother raising five sons from five different fathers and, interestingly, different Nigerian tribes. She hates cheating and would do anything to prevent a fellow woman suffering from a domestic violence act.
Her five sons couldn't be more different. Emeka, played by Jide Kene Achufusi, is responsible and hardworking. Adamu, played by Uzee Usman, is also trying to keep his life together. Then there is Pere, played by Timini Egbuson, a pickpocket; Shina, played by Tobi Makinde, a streetwise tout; and Ejiro, played by Olumide Oworu, the youngest, whose attention is mostly on his music, friends and girlfriend, Testimony.
For all their differences, one thing connects them together and that is their mother.
The story changed when Jedidah's health took a serious turn. She is diagnosed with kidney disease, and suddenly, this family that has been struggling with its own problems is faced with a much bigger one, finding the money to keep their mother alive.
When Emeka lost his job, desperation pushes the brothers into a decision they probably would never have considered under normal circumstances. They decided to rob a mall and this is where the movie moves from family comedy into crime and suspense.
What they didn't expect is to arrive at the mall and discover that they were not the only ones who came with a robbery plan. That unexpected encounter changed everything.
The heist became much more dangerous than the brothers had imagined, and what followed actually tested their courage, loyalty and willingness to sacrifice for one another. The movie's biggest strength is that it didn't allow the robbery to become the entire story. The family relationships remain at the centre, so when things went wrong, the consequences felt personal.
I also liked how the different personalities of the Judah brothers eventually became useful in unexpected ways. The same traits that made them look troublesome at the beginning ended up becoming part of what helped them navigate the chaos later.
The cast deserves credit here. Funke Akindele brought warmth to Jedidah, while Jide Kene Achufusi, Timini Egbuson, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde and Olumide Oworu gave the brothers distinct personalities rather than making them feel like five versions of the same character. Nse Ikpe-Etim, Uzor Arukwe, Genoveva Umeh and the supporting cast also added weight to the story.
The movie isn't without its flaws, as usual. Some scenes were longer than necessary, the comedy occasionally interrupts the tension, and the mother's illness could have been introduced with stronger hook. Some parts of the plot also became predictable when the heist began.
Still, A Tribe Called Judah knows what kind of movie it wants to be. It was funny, emotional, chaotic, suspenseful and deeply Nigerian but beyond all the comedy and crime, what stayed with me was the idea that people who seem completely different can still find common ground when something that truly matter is involved.
Sometimes, family doesn't look perfect. It just shows up when it counts and I'll be dropping my 🖊️ here on the movie review.
Thanks for reading through 🤗
All images are for the movie
Rating: 91/100
