Efunroye: The Unicorn Review – Low Budget Undercuts an Epic Biopic
Efunroye: The Unicorn is a 2026 Nollywood biopic about Madam Efunroye Tinubu, a 19th-century Yoruba merchant and kingmaker. It charts her rise from Abeokuta trader to Lagos power broker, her marriage to an exiled Oba, and her defiance of British colonial pressure. Despite its epic promise, the film feels modern and underfunded. The contrasty colour grading clashes with the period setting. Costumes are bland except for the palace chiefs’ white attire, and the skinny horse ridden by Yesufu Bada undermines the warlord’s credibility. Cardboard fences and amateurish set pieces reinforce the low-budget look. Directorial choices and acting often fail to convey the intended drama. A brutal slave-drowning sequence lacks emotional impact, and several plot threads fizzle without resolution. Femi Adebayo’s brief portrayal of Kosoko and a rousing soundtrack hint at tension, but the arc ends abruptly. Supporting roles by Odunlade Adekola and Mercy Aigbe feel decorative rather than essential. Efunroye: The Unicorn offers an important story but falls short in execution. Its pacing, production design, and performances leave the viewer wishing for the grandeur of classic epics. Final score: 5/10.
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