My Father's Shadow

There are films that entertain, films that impress, and then films that matter. My Father’s Shadow is the third kind. Akinola Davies Jr.’s debut feature arrived at Cannes, conquered it, won the BAFTA Outstanding Debut Award alongside his brother Wale Davies, and earned a staggering 98% on Rotten Tomatoes from 61 critics.

Set in Lagos during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, a father (Sope Dirisu, commanding and achingly human) travels with his two young sons to collect his unpaid salary. What sounds like a simple errand becomes a vivid portrait of fatherhood, democracy, and what it means to be Nigerian at a moment of historic possibility.

Davies shoots on 16mm film, a choice that gives Lagos a texture and warmth that digital struggles to replicate. Sope Dirisu delivers a performance that redefines careers. BBC named it one of the best films of 2026 overall. Metacritic scored it 85 out of 100. AMVCA awarded it Best Movie with five trophies.

Verdict: A masterpiece. The most important Nigerian film in years. Essential viewing.