Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has broken his silence on the criticism surrounding his latest Netflix series, Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, insisting that the project is deliberately crafted for a thinking audience rather than mass appeal.
The five-part mini-series, which serves as a continuation of the 2022 award-winning film Anikulapo, premiered on Netflix on January 30 and quickly sparked mixed reactions online. In response, Afolayan addressed the backlash in a video shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday evening, making it clear that his style of storytelling is not designed for everyone.
According to the acclaimed director, his films are intentionally made for viewers who appreciate layered narratives and intellectual depth. “I make films for people who can think,” Afolayan said, referencing his earlier works Irapada and The Figurine. He noted that both films were initially misunderstood and criticised before eventually earning international recognition and long-lasting acclaim.
Afolayan urged critics and viewers alike to exercise patience and allow the full story of Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens to unfold before passing judgment. He compared the experience to globally celebrated series such as Game of Thrones, where audiences typically follow the plot episode by episode, only forming opinions after the complete narrative arc is revealed.
He further explained that the new series introduces fresh plotlines that may not be immediately clear to all viewers. While acknowledging that not everyone would like or understand the series, Afolayan maintained that those for whom he created it, scholars, professors, and lovers of literature, have already grasped its depth and intentions.
“You have not even seen the entire thing, yet you’ve concluded that the story is all over the place,” he said. “We have created new plots. Those who understand literature already get it. Those who don’t should ask those who do.”
Despite the criticism, Afolayan remains resolute, stating that he will continue to make films that challenge audiences intellectually, rather than conform to conventional expectations of entertainment.
The post Those who understand literature get it already — Kunle Afolayan reacts to criticism of Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
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