Blood Sisters: A Rollercoaster of Friendship, Fleeing, Fabulous Fashion
Ah, where do I even begin with this show on Netflix? However, I can tell one thing for sure; this 2022 show is one of the best Nollywood offerings on Netflix.
This show is the definition of “when shit hits the fan.” The shit that hit the fan began long before the engagement between Sarah (Ini Dima Okojie) and Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon).
In fact, by the end of episode 4, it became obvious to me who the show has been all about—Uduak and her daughter Timeyin.
If you do not believe me, you did not follow the story thematically or you have not seen it at all. Alright, like the organ-harvesting doctor who picked the two girls up on the highway, let us take a scalpel to this show, peel the layers back and review.
Plot and Premise
Blood Sisters follows the lives of best friends Sarah and Kemi played by Ini Dima Okojie and Nancy Isime. Their bond is put to the test when Sarah's fiancé, Kola played by Deyemi Okanlawon vanishes into thin air right before their lavish wedding.
I do not want to spoil the show for you but let us just say the show starts with a bang, literally, and the duo finds themselves on the run, not just from the police but also from some very determined family members with a penchant for revenge.
The storyline is a delightful mix of melodrama and dark humor, wrapped in a cultural drapery that is as vibrant as the Nigerian sun.
Self-defense turns to murder, the proverbial shit hits the fan, and the spray spreads all across four episodes of suspenseful, chilling acting by some of the best names in Nolly-effing-wood!
Bro, you have to see this show to fully grasp the beauty of the storytelling. Oh, I am running my mouth again. Go watch it if you have not.
Naija to the wetin—to the world!
Acting, Chemistry
That brings me, ‘naturliche’, to the performances in Blood Sisters. Ini Dima Okojie and Nancy Isime as Sarah and Kemi respectively?
Chef's kiss.
They both give us believable, memorable scenes. The scene where Sarah has to pretend she had not just watched her fiancé shot in the back at the engagement party is my favorite.
Kate Henshaw as Uduak Ademola is the definition of aura. She embodies the character of a brutally efficient witch with so much presence you almost forget it is a Netflix show and not a documentary of an actual dysfunctional family.
I have not seen Ramsey Noah in a bit until this show. His brooding, enigmatic character did not say a word until episode 2 but you knew he was up to no good.
Femi and Yinka (played by Gabriel Afolayan and Kehinde Bankole) constituted a big problem in the show. I found this couple hilarious. They were always horny, humping each other even in the most unlikely moments. Wale Ojo plays Inspector Chicago, a decent rendition of a sleuth with an American history.
Cinematography, Setting
From the upscale neighborhoods to the bustling, sprawling slums of Makoko, Blood Sisters capture Nigeria's essence with a visual style that is both gritty and glamorous.
The cinematography itself is itself a character in this show. The shots make you feel like you are right there with Uncle B (Ramsey Noah) as he cruises in that old American car or with Sarah and Kemi as they flee their burning shack on the murky waters of canals. Moreover, when in the last episode, Timeyin is clutching that pistol, training it on what's left of her family, you were holding it with her, distraught yet hopeful.
The panoramic shots over the city of Lagos, the foggy scapes over the ocean with the Third Mainland bridge arcing over it—those were some of the memorable scenes for me.
The wardrobe people ought to get their own award too. If fashion could tell a story, this series would be an epic novel, a complete ensemble for New York Fashion week.
Writing, Direction
Blood Sisters was created by Temidayo Makanjuola and Directed by Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang. The writing is strong, effective and the dialogue is well above most Nollywood standards.
It is evident that the writers of the screenplay wrote “character.”
The directors managed to blend suspense with moments of lighthearted comedy. Blood Sisters is not just a thriller. It is a blend of several genres, what I call a universal story. Anyone, any member of the family can enjoy the series. Of course, parents can slap a hand over the eyes of their underage kids during certain scenes involving the horny Femi and Yinka. On the other hand, that scene where Timeyin, the drug addict went berserk in the bathroom. Those women were stark naked, bro.
There were over dramatic moments, but who doesn't love a bit of drama with their suspense?
Cultural Commentary
Here is where Blood Sisters really shines for me. It explores themes of domestic abuse, guilt, even police corruption, and the socioeconomic divides within Nigerian society. This series shows you that we do have beautiful homes, but we also have Makoko in Lagos. Same Lagos. Just like the French have homeless folks prowling the streets of Paris. A narrative is universally appealing. It is a love letter to our culture as Nigerians, subtly analyzing societal norms without losing the fun of the ride.
Blood Sisters won the International TV Award in 2024, received by producer Mo Abudu. It would seem that this show is a one-season show, but you never know. In movies, people die and come back. If we do not get a season 2, perhaps we can get another story from the creators of the series that is as gripping and suspenseful.
Blood Sisters might not be perfect, but it is a binge-worthy, LOL, heart-clenching, journey through friendship, family, and action. If you need a series that combines cultural insight with edge-of-your-seat moments, all wrapped in a beautiful Nigerian bow, then this series is your next weekend binge.