Review: Trade by Bata Delivers Strong Drama but Misses the Laughs

Trade by Bata is a Nollywood comedy-drama directed by Biodun Stephen. It follows a city girl who returns to her village only to clash with local traditions. A supernatural twist forces her to speak the native dialect, creating chaos when her city boyfriend arrives to stake his claim on her inheritance. The film seems to borrow heavily from the Jenifa and Alakada franchises, showcasing characters with broken English striving to fit into high society. Unfortunately, the comedy rarely lands. The first 20 minutes feel uncertain, and the promised laughs never quite materialize, making it feel more like a low-budget YouTube upload than a cinema feature. On the bright side, the drama is compelling and the performances stand out. Solape Ogundimu shines as Fiyinfoluwa with her spot-on American accent and later switch to a thick Yoruba tone. Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori matches her energy as Abebi, the village girl who suddenly adopts an American drawl. Tomiwa Kukoyi and Adediwura Blarkgold also turn in memorable turns in smaller roles. Overall, the story is creative and the acting is solid, but the weak comedy holds it back. We’d rate Trade by Bata a 6 out of 10 — worth a watch for the drama and performances, but don’t expect belly laughs.

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