Farmer’s Bride is a 2024 Nigerian dramatic thriller film produced by FilmOne Studios. Set in 1980s Ibadan, the film is a story of forbidden romance, betrayal, and supernatural retribution, which draws thematic inspiration from traditional folk tales and, implicitly, the 1916 poem of the same name by Charlotte Mew.
| The Farmer’s Bride | |
| Directed by | Adebayo Tijani, Jack’enneth Opukeme |
| Written by | Jack’enneth Opukeme |
| Produced by | Ladun Awobokun, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn |
| Starring | Gbubemi Ejeye, Femi Branch, Tobi Bakre, Mercy Aigbe, Efe Irele, Wumi Toriola |
| Cinematography | Cinemmaofficial |
| Production Company | FilmOne Studios |
| Distributed by | FilmOne Entertainment, EvritFilms |
| Release Date | September 27, 2024 (Nigeria) |
| Running Time | Undisclosed (approx. 90-120 mins) |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English, Yoruba |
| Genre | Drama, Romance, Thriller, Supernatural |
Plot #
The story is set in a rural community in 1980s Ibadan, and centres on Funmi (Gbubemi Ejeye), a young woman with aspirations for education and a different life, who is forcibly married off by her mother to Odun (Femi Branch), a wealthy, well-respected, and significantly older farmer.
Funmi resents the unwanted union and struggles to find happiness, even as Odun makes genuine attempts to win her affection. Her discomfort is amplified by the presence of Morenike (Mercy Aigbe), Odun’s sister-in-law and the community’s local priestess, who maintains a suspiciously close relationship with the farmer.
The central conflict ignites with the return of Odun’s handsome nephew, Femi (Tobi Bakre), from the city. A passionate, forbidden affair quickly develops between Funmi and Femi, fueled by her despair and their intense attraction. As their illicit romance spirals out of control, the desperate lovers conspire to commit a drastic act—the murder of Odun—in the belief they can secure their freedom and future together. However, their actions soon unleash a terrifying chain of consequences, leading to a haunting tale of guilt and supernatural retribution.
Cast #
| Actor | Character |
| Gbubemi Ejeye | Funmi |
| Femi Branch | Odun (The Farmer) |
| Tobi Bakre | Femi (Odun’s Nephew) |
| Mercy Aigbe | Morenike (Odun’s Sister-in-Law/Priestess) |
| Efe Irele | Banke |
| Wumi Toriola | Tundun (Funmi’s Mother) |
Themes and Style #
The film is noted for its exploration of significant themes, including:
- Consequences of Forced Marriage: The film uses Funmi’s predicament to examine the destructive impact of coercion on personal freedom.
- Moral Conflict and Guilt: It delves into the dark side of desire, contrasting the innocent setting with the murderous decisions of the central couple.
- Supernatural Retribution: The narrative incorporates elements of African traditional religion and the occult, suggesting that no crime goes unpunished.
The co-directors, Adebayo Tijani and Jack’enneth Opukeme, were praised for delivering a visually appealing period drama with a consistent, noir-like tone, though some critics noted a predictable plot and occasionally inconsistent use of the Yoruba and English languages in the dialogue.
References #
- CinemaParadiso.co.uk. “Farmer’s Bride (2024) film”
- Evrit Films. “Farmer’s Bride ⋆ Evrit Films”
- Nollywire. “Farmer’s Bride – Nollywire”
- Premium Times. “MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Farmer’s Bride’ intrigues with spellbinding narrative”
- What Kept Me Up. “‘Farmer’s Bride’ Review: Tobi Bakre and Gbubemi Ejeye Plough Through Forbidden Romance in a Rural Utopia”
- Film Efiko. “Farmer’s Bride Review: A Beautiful Piece Of Nollywood Noir”
- The Guardian Nigeria News. “Farmer’s Bride Made N89m In 10 Days – Producer”
