Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has addressed the mixed reactions trailing the second season of his Netflix series, Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre, stressing that his films are crafted for intellectual audiences rather than mass appeal.
The director made his position known in a video shared on his verified Instagram page on Tuesday, where he urged viewers and critics to exercise patience before passing judgment on the series.
Afolayan Defends His Intellectual Storytelling Style
Reacting to criticism surrounding the Netflix series, Afolayan explained that his filmmaking approach is intentional and targeted.
“There’s something that is very peculiar about the kind of films that we make. We make films for the intellectual, not gbasgbos. We make films for people who can think,” he said.
The Aníkúlápó creator noted that he does not expect universal approval or understanding of his projects.
“I don’t expect that everybody will like the film. And I don’t even expect that everybody will understand the film. But the people I had in mind when I was conceiving the ideas — I know they will get it, and they got it.”
Positive Feedback from Scholars and Academics
According to the filmmaker, the reception from academics and deep thinkers has been encouraging.
He revealed that scholars, professors, and intellectual audiences have reached out with positive feedback about the series.
“I’ve heard from scholars, from professors, from deep thinkers, from people who don’t only think about now,” Afolayan added.
This response, he said, reinforces his commitment to producing layered narratives and culturally rich stories within the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood).
‘You Haven’t Watched the Whole Series’ — Afolayan Urges Patience
Addressing viewers who claimed they did not understand Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre, Afolayan argued that it is premature to dismiss a multi-episode series without watching it in full.
“It is a series that has many episodes. What you have seen are just a few. How do you conclude that it is not good when you have not even seen the entire thing?”
He compared the format to global hit series like Game of Thrones, where audiences had to wait for episodes to unfold before forming conclusions.
“We have created new plots,” he said, emphasizing the complexity and evolving structure of the storyline.
From ‘Irapada’ to ‘The Figurine’: A History of Overcoming Criticism
The celebrated director also reflected on similar criticism he faced with previous films such as Irapada and The Figurine, both of which later achieved critical acclaim and international recognition.
“When ‘Irapada’ came out, some people critiqued it and called it all sorts of names. At the end of the day, the film travelled, it got awards, it was internationally recognised.”
He noted that The Figurine also faced skepticism initially but has since become a landmark production in Nollywood history.
Message to Filmmakers: Stay Focused
In a strong message to fellow filmmakers and creatives, Afolayan encouraged perseverance despite criticism.
“As a filmmaker, don’t listen, just keep making your films.”
He added humorously:
“Those who think they understand film and how film critiquing works, well done, E mu ra si. For us, we’ll keep appealing to those who have sense, common sense.”
Commitment to Deep Narratives on Netflix and Beyond
Kunle Afolayan concluded by reaffirming his dedication to producing intellectually driven films and culturally significant stories that resonate with discerning audiences.
As Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre continues streaming on Netflix, the debate around artistic expression, storytelling depth, and audience expectations highlights the evolving landscape of Nollywood on global platforms.
