''Sylvia'' is a 2018 Nigerian

supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre ...

directed by Daniel Oriahi, written by Vanessa Kanu, and produced by Ekene Som Mekwunye for Trino Motion Pictures. The movie was screened at the Nollywood Week in Paris on May 5, 2018 and was released across cinemas on September 21.

Plot

Richard Okezie decides to leave Sylvia, his lifelong imaginary friend and lover for Gbemi a flesh-and-blood real woman, but complications arise when Sylvia decides to destroy Richard's peaceful life.

Cast

Chris Attoh Chris Attoh (born Christopher Keith Nii Attoh; May 17, 1979) is a Ghanaian actor, film director, on-air personality, television presenter and producer. He is best known as "Kwame Mensah" in Nigerian soap opera ''Tinsel''. Education He attend ...

as Richard Okezie *

Zainab Balogun Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu (born 10 October 1989) is a Nigerian actress, model and television presenter. She began modelling at an early age after being scouted at 16.Ade-Unuigbe, Adesola. "Fab Interview: 'I Have a Little Crush on D'Banj' Zanaib ...

as Sylvia *

Ini Dima-Okojie Ini Dima-Okojie (born 24 June 1990) is a Nigerian actress from Edo State, Nigeria. She resigned from her job in investment banking to enroll at the New York Film Academy. She started her career with the first television appearance on Taste of L ...

as Gbemi *

Udoka Oyeka Udoka Oyeka is a Nigerian-American actor, director, and producer. He directed the short film, Down and Out, which was nominated in 3 categories, including best short film at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Early life and education ...

as Obaro *

Ijeoma Grace Agu Ijeoma Grace Agu is a Nigerian actress. She received a best supporting actress nomination at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards. She also won most promising actress at the 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards. In 2007, she made her first screen app ...

as Hawa *Captain Coker as Little Richard *Amina Mustapha as Little Sylvia *Precious Shedrack as Teenage Sylvia *Dumpet Enebeli as Teenage Obaro *Ndifreke Josiah Etim as Teenage Richard *Mohammed Abdullahi Saliu as Mr Hassan *Omotunde Adebowale David (Lolo) as Mrs Iweta *Lord Frank as Mr Temidayo Davies * Bolaji Ogunmola as Nurse Karen *Elsie Eluwa as Richards Mum

Release

The movie was first screened in May 2018 at the Nollywood Week Paris. The official Trailer was released August 6, 2018. After a premiere at Terra Kulture on the 16th of September, the movie was made available in all cinemas on September 21, 2018

Critical reception

Sylvia received reviews from critics.
Franklin Ugobude of ''PulseNG'' said, “There's a lot to like about Sylvia really: for one, there's this fresh feel to an existing story on spirituality, something that is pretty common in our world today”. Precious Nwogwu of ''MamaZeus'' described the movie as “Spellbinding: The best Nollywood thriller in recent times”. The Maveriq of ''Tha Revue’s'' take was “Sylvia is one of the darkest thrillers that has ever come out of Nollywood and I must commend Trino studios for their courage in making this film because this isn’t the quintessential Nollywood production”. Oris Aigbokhaevbolo in his feature review on ''BellaNaija'' shared “It was heartening to have the origin of the spirit-spouse be broached but never really explained. The film shows it is the product of a Nigerian mind in how the existence of the spiritual realm is taken as a given, and its characters are modern figures wrestling ancient myths, citified kids fighting what we think of us as village people.”Oris Aigbokhaevbolo: A Woman Scorned Does Harm in Daniel Oriahi’s Sylvia
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Accolades

Film festivals

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title, 8326250 2018 films 2018 thriller films Nigerian thriller films English-language Nigerian films 2010s English-language films