LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nollywood visionary Kunle Afolayan has sparked a fresh industry debate by declaring that his creative output is specifically engineered for “deep thinkers” rather than the general populace.
Addressing the polarizing reception of his latest Netflix venture, ‘Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens’, the filmmaker took to Instagram to urge patience, asserting that his work prioritizes complex narratives over cheap thrills.
“We make films for the intellectual, not gbasgbos. We make films for people who can think,” Afolayan stated, dismissing the instant-gratification culture of modern cinema.
The director specifically called out reviewers who have criticized the series without viewing all its episodes, comparing the slow-burn storytelling to global hits like Game of Thrones. He argued that it is premature to judge the plot as “all over the place” before the full arc unfolds across all episodes.
Supporting his stance, he revealed that the project has already received high praise from academics and professors.
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“I’ve heard from scholars, from professors, from deep thinkers, from people who don’t only think about now,” he added, noting that he created new plots specifically for those who “get it.”
Drawing parallels to his previous masterpieces, the KAP Film Village founder reminded critics that his most celebrated works were initially met with skepticism. He recalled how Irapada and The Figurine were mocked upon release, only to eventually sweep international awards and gain global recognition.
Afolanyan suggested that his track record justifies his lack of interest in box office records or competing for cinema revenue. Instead, he favors the long-term artistic value and creative control.
Advising the new generation of unconventional filmmakers, he encouraged them to ignore the noise and stay true to their vision. He also offered a sarcastic nod to his detractors, stating, “Those who think they understand how film critiquing works, well done, E Mu ra si (Keep it up). For us, we’ll keep appealing to those who have sense, common sense.”
By sticking firmly to his “intellectual-first” approach, Afolayan has shown he’s committed to a more niche, highbrow audience. Despite this, public opinion is still split as the series continues on Netflix, with viewers left to decide whether it’s a brilliant puzzle or just too hard for the average fan to follow.
