"A Danfo Christmas" Owes Us Some Christmas Holiday Magic
The family drama disguised as a Christmas movie still delivers some charming moments.
βA Danfo Christmasβ is directed by Sebastian Ukwa. It is currently streaming on Prime Video. Like, Share, and Subscribe.
Christmas movies have a way of wrapping us in the warmth of the season. Whether they center on the holiday itself or let its magic hover quietly in the background, they embody the spirit of togetherness, hope, and the small yet meaningful miracles that define this special time of year. In our local context, that might mean capturing the hustle of crowded markets, the glow of Christmas lights and trees, or the smoky aroma of jollof rice wafting through the air. We donβt have enough Christmas movies from Nollywood yet, but the one or two we do already have align with these expectations, they also evoke a sense of community, family, and shared joy, weaving tales of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings stewed in the essence of the holiday. Itβs that tie to the holiday that defines a Christmas movie; without it, itβs just another family drama.
A Danfo Christmasβs tale is indeed one of togetherness, family, and forgiveness. Its title is lush with promise, and a scene with a half-setup Christmas tree and a few fleeting mentions of the holiday allude to it, but the joy, warmth, and magic that should define a Christmas holiday movie are notably absent. While A Danfo Christmas is an evocative and beautiful name, it doesnβt feel earned by the end of the movie. Instead, the film we get presents a family drama that could have taken place at any time of the year.
The story introduces us to Akin (Seun Kentebe), a man living on the edge of Lagos's bustling economy. With a family struggling to stay afloat, heβs thrust into an unplanned trip to Idanre, Ondo State to visit his critically ill father (Patrick Doyle) a few days before Christmas. The journey is fraught with mishaps and adventures, but the family is determined to make the best of it.
Akinβs teenage children, Justin (Korede Lawal) and Tracy (Loveth Ogbene) bring their own dramas to the mix βthe former has been secretly training in boxing and the latter has been fired from the job she was hoping would help her raise money to take JAMB for the fifth time. Ama (Valerie Odunukwe), Akinβs industrious wife, carries the bulk weight of the familyβs daily survival with the proceeds from her food store. Exhausted but resilient, she hopes that a break from their routine might be the fresh start they need to reconnect with their extended family.
The road trip itself is a chaotic adventure. From tangling with a mechanic to a bizarre standoff with bush-dwelling traditionalists, the journey is as unpredictable as Justinβs knack for attracting trouble. Somehow, they make it to the village in one piece. Perhaps we were supposed to count this as one of the familyβs holiday miracles, but we didnβt memo in time.
Arriving at the family home doesnβt mean the drama is over. Akin hasnβt been back in over a decade, and while the reception from his relatives is polite, thereβs a palpable undercurrent of unresolved tension. Chief among these is the animosity between Ama and Akinβs mother (Carol King). The matriarch, still holding onto past grievances, blames Ama for Akinβs estrangement from the family businessβa cocoa farm that holds both sentimental and financial significanceβ and even in one scene tells her daughter-in-law that she wishes Akin married another well-to-do lady.
As the story unfolds, weβre drip-fed details: about why Akin left the family business, its significance to the family, and the reasons for the fractures within. Akin is reluctantly drawn back into the family business, stepping up to salvage a crucial deal with a chocolate company. His involvement reveals that his younger brother Tolu (Olawale Morgan) has been mismanaging affairs, secretly selling parts of the farmland. Resolving this conflict becomes central to the narrative as the family must find a way to reconcile their fatherβs staunch opposition to selling family land with their dire need to set things right.
Meanwhile, Tracy reconnects with Juwon (Myde Glover), a boy she once knew from the village during their last visit 10 years ago, sparking a subplot of teenage romance that adds a lighthearted touch.
Thereβs a lot of interesting family drama happening.
At its heart, A Danfo Christmas is about familyβits complexities, sacrifices, and the enduring bond that holds it together. Akin might not have wealth, but he finds contentment in the life heβs built. The filmβs core lesson is clear: family over everything. Amaβs sacrifices for her husband and children mirror Akinβs eventual willingness to shoulder responsibilities he once abandoned.
Carol King shines as Akinβs mother, delivering a performance full of nuance, whether through her commanding dialogue, her knowing glances that are loud and piercing, or her silence. Valerie Odunukwe also stands out as Ama, balancing strength and vulnerability. And Seun Kentebe, too, holds his own weight. Unfortunately, these bright spots are dimmed by lackluster performances from much of the rest of the cast, whose over-the-top portrayals in certain parts feel more suited to a cartoonish comedy than a heartfelt family drama.
While the story has potential, the writing frequently falters. Emotional moments fail to land, and the road to building up charactersβ plights feels outlandish more often than not. The narrative struggles to balance its themes with its execution, often pulling its punches when it should hit hard, a situation not helped but its unearned long run time.
Director Sebastian Ukwa, who delivered the touching A Fatherβs Love as his first entry in the First Features Project earlier this year, doesnβt fully deliver with A Danfo Christmas. The pacing drags, and the direction feels inconsistent, a letdown given Ukwaβs proven talent for family-driven storytelling. That said, the movie isnβt without its merits; as a family drama, it offers relatable moments of sacrifice, reconciliation, and resilience that may resonate with its audience. The issue lies in its identity as a Christmas film. The holiday connection feels superficial, missing the warmth, joy, and magic that defines the genre. Without the seasonal framing and intentional straightening of some other parts, A Danfo Christmas could have been a stronger, more coherent story, standing on its own as a compelling family drama. Instead, the choice to tie it to Christmas creates expectations it fails to meet.
Ultimately, A Danfo Christmas isnβt a bad film, but itβs not the festive treat its title promises. While it may work as a pleasant watch for family movie night, itβs unlikely to earn a revered spot in Nollywoodβs growing collection of festive films.
Directed by: Sebastian Ukwa
Written by: Addy Scriptorium
Starring: Seun Kentebe, Valerie Odunukwe, Carol King, Patrick Doyle, Korede Lawal, Loveth Ogbene, Olawale Morgan, Myde Glover, and more.