With a little nudge from my editors, I took the initiative to see the new web series that’s got people talking—”All Of Us”—and I have something to say—a lot, actually. 

At just 25 years old, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, aka “Lipgloss Boy,” took a bold step into the world of filmmaking with the announcement of his debut production, “All of Us,” in March 2024. Despite feeling “scared, unsure, and afraid,” the Media and Theatre graduate pursued his passion, marking an exciting new chapter in his career. 

The plot

“All of Us” is a Nigerian drama series that highlights the struggles, joys, and everyday lives of a group of teenagers navigating modern-day Nigeria. The show brings a unique and captivating spin to the high school drama genre in Nigerian cinema as it explores the complex web of adolescent relationships, navigating the ups and downs of friendship, betrayal, and suspense that unfolds following the death of a school teacher. The series also touches on aspects of contemporary Nigerian culture, such as family dynamics, relationships, social issues, sexual assault, and career challenges, with a mix of humour and drama. 

Directed by Orire Nweni (“Ije”) and Oluchi Nsofor (“Parallel Lines”), produced by Eni Adeoluwa and Gbolahan Gaffa (Awaiting Trial), and written by Mannie Oiseoma (A Simple Lie), “All Of Us” features an ensemble cast including Eni Adeoluwa, Jemima Osunde, Tobe Ugeh, Eronini Osinachim, Nimiee Ogunjebgbe, Tomi Ojo, Priscilla Ojo, Saga Deolu, and Angel Unigwe.

The series also stars celebrated actors Kate Henshaw, Uzee Usman, Maryam Booth, Yemi Solade, Adunni Ade, Deyemi Okanlawon, Rahama Sadau, Iyabo Ojo, Chioma Akpota, Lilian Esoro, Femi Durojaye, Ray Adeka, and Chy Nwakanma.

What I liked about “All Of Us”

The writing

It seemed cliche but a bit of cliche isn’t bad, as it gives a bit of stability in this crazy world. The show presents a relatable narrative, particularly for younger Nigerian audiences. Topics like friendship, romantic relationships, and work-life balance resonate with viewers. The writing seemed lazy, but I’ll forgive it for a debut. What’s that saying, “If you can’t do great, do good?” “All of Us” did okay.

The character dynamics

Seeing a blend of people and cultures was something “All of Us” did really well at. The diverse languages added a lot of colour to the series and resulted in an appreciation for the uniqueness of each character. The portrayal of different family dynamics was also executed brilliantly. From the strictness of Elijah’s family to the openness between Chinasa and her mother, every character’s family dynamic felt authentic with its representation of reality.

Acting

The cast features strong performances from emerging and established Nigerian actors, which adds depth to the characters and enhances the show’s emotional engagement. I particularly enjoyed watching Isaac (played by Enioluwa) because his character felt very authentic. His interpretation of his character was impeccable, and I was almost provoked to hit him through my screen for his tattle-telling, which only goes to show a deep commitment to his role.

Another standout actor for me was Angel Unigwe. Not new to acting, the former child star once again proved why she is a master at her craft. In the prayer scene with her mum, whom she felt she had let down, her acting provoked true emotions, which is why I dub it the best scene of the entire series.

This list would not be complete without mentioning the spectacular Chioma Akpotha. She needs no introduction, and she needs no buttering up. Her depiction of a sweet but strict mother was a realistic execution of a mother-daughter relationship. She was IT.

What I hated about “All of Us” 

Now that I’ve broken down what I enjoyed about the series, here’s what I found appalling.

Wacky post-production editing

WHOEVER WORKED ON EDITING SHOULD BE SUED (I hope they let me keep this in full caps). The editing comes across as hasty with the noticeable inconsistencies in colour grading. The excessive use of red tones gives the show an outdated, low-budget YouTube aesthetic, which detracts from the overall viewing experience. Some scenes seem to be missing something, disrupting the flow. 

Casting

Why have so many people in one series if you’re not going to utilise them efficiently, especially knowing how good they are as actors? 

Although I understand they were cameos, they could have added more depth to the series like Chioma Akpota and Maryam Booth did. For instance, Kate Henshaw, the detective, should have had more scenes; Tomike’s role as the girlfriend of the deceased was unnecessary; Ireti Doyle had only three minutes of screentime; Deyemi Okonlawon shouldn’t have bothered to be in the series at all, seeing how little of him we got to see; Rahama Sadau might as well have been a crew member because she could have done so much more as Ahmad’s mother; and I am particularly pained that Ray Adeka wasn’t used to full potential.

Predictability

Like many soap-style dramas, the plotline was often  predictable, with certain tropes repeated from other Nigerian shows in the same genre. We all suspected who killed Mr Marcus from the very first episode—at least, I did. They made a sorry attempt for a save with the plot twist at the end, but still, most of the series was easily predictable.

Acting

I know I highlighted the acting in this series as something I liked, but it goes both ways. Some of the cast had no business there as they were a bore to watch, making me take breaks quite a few times to refresh myself for another round of poor character execution.

This begs the question: should influencers be actors? On a broader spectrum, does being an influencer automatically qualify as having potential for other entertainment sectors? I know a few who have done a great job of merging or transitioning, like Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori (Kie Kie), Samuel Animashaun (Broda Shaggy) and Debo Adebayo (Mr Macaroni), but when the bad outweighs the good, are we allowed to speak about it, or do they all get a pass mark because they are people we already know and love?

I can bet my last ten chips—which I hold very dear—that this would be a more unpleasant conversation if the main stars were actually actors and not influencers.

Aside from the characterisation of the actors, we can all agree that ALL the kissing scenes were unnecessary. We get it; teenagers can be adrenaline junkies, but no African teenager is that courageous to French kiss their partner on the street or in their parent’s house. Or maybe I’m just a party pooper.

A horrible cliffhanger

What was that ending, though? I know it is a hint that there is more to come, but that is probably the most poorly executed cliffhanger I have ever seen. 

I blurted, “That’s it?” after the plot twist was revealed because I couldn’t help but feel disappointed with the flow of events. Perhaps it would have been better if it had ended with just the “I know what you did” text. The explanation afterwards was unnecessary.

My final words

Overall, “All of Us” offers an engaging look into the complexities of modern Nigerian life, though it will likely not break new ground for viewers familiar with similar shows. The series is a fair debut for an influencer, so well done, Enioluwa!