Name: Delving Into The Best Netflix Nollywood Series – ‘Blood Sisters’
Rating: 3.3

Blood Sisters is a 2022 Nigerian thriller series produced by Netflix.

The series, which has been described as the first Nigerian Netflix Original series, stars Ini Dima-Okojie and Nancy Isime in the lead, with Ramsey Noah, Kate Henshaw, Wale Ojo, Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Gabriel Afolayan, Tope Tedela among other cast members.

The four-part series was released on 5 May 2022 and the release was born of the collaboration of Netflix and Mo Abudu through her media company, Ebonylife TV. Blood Sisters was directed by Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang.

Synopsis:

The crime thriller follows the story of two friends, Sarah (Ini Dima-Okojie) and Kemi (Nancy Isime), who became fugitives after Sarah’s husband to be, Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon), disappears mysteriously on their engagement day, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance became a mystery to the public until he (Kola) was declared dead few days after when his body was found in a shallow grave.

This situation then made Sarah and Kemi wanted fugitives, as they had to leave town in escape for their lives. As everyone tries to find Kola’s killer, more secrets about Kola, his siblings, mother and family feud became revealed.

EPISODE 1 – It’s A Bloody Affair

It was going to be a lavish wedding ceremony between Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon) and Sarah (Ini Dima-Okojie), everything was set for the lavish wedding of the time, until Sarah and Kemi (Nancy Isime) get caught up in a very difficult situation which led to the accidental killing of Kola.

However to the public, Kola had disappeared mysteriously, Kemi and Sarah tried to cover their error by resorting to burying Kola’s body in a shallow grave.

However, before the wedding, Kola’s elder brother, Femi (Gabriel Afolayan) together with his wife had plotted to kill Kola, so that Femi could take his rightful position as the heir of the family.

EPISODE 2 – Run Sisters Run

Kola is now missing, unknown to the public that he is dead, Kemi and Sarah discovered that while disposing of Kola’s body, they did not completely cover their tracks, as one of the Photographers for the event caught them on camera putting Kola’s body into Kemi’s car and now, the photographer is blackmailing them and requesting for money.

Kemi thought the best way to salvage the situation was to kill the photographer, so they went to look for a gun, and tried to kill the photographer who outpowered Kemi and collected the gun, however, Sarah completed the task by running him over with a car.

However, the police investigation intensifies as they discover a CCTV footage from the event showing Kemi and Sarah moving Kola’s body out.

EPISODE 3 – The Hunt

Following Kola’s body discovered in the shallow grave, Kemi and Sarah is now on the run as the police intensify their investigation into finding the killer of Kola.

Kemi and Sarah tried to cross the border, but all efforts proved abortive as the Police and Uncle B(Ramsey Noah), Mrs. Ademola’s aide are on the lookout for them.

Kemi and Sarah soon agreed that they are now fugitive and have to do anything to keep themselves out of the mess they have gotten into.

EPISODE 4 – The Catch

At this point, some secrets about Kola became open, it was now been revealed that Kola apparently is a ‘woman-beater’ as he has inflicted injuries and pains to women he has dated in the past.

Sarah and Kemi are also in a very tight situation as tension builds up as they fight through a deadly situation that now lands them in the crosshairs of a family feud.

Production & Release

Blood Sisters was set in Lagos and released on Netflix on 5 May 2022, with the official premiere being held on 4 May 2022.

In attendance at the premiere, which featured many Nollywood actors, was Nigeria’s Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who lauded the movie and described it as a big plus to the nation’s creative industry.

The theme of the premiere was “Red and Fugitive”, and guests attending the event dressed in accordance with the theme.

Reception:

Blood Sisters received positive critical reviews. A reviewer for Variety described it as “An infectious mix of melodrama, dark humor, and social commentary, the show serves up an authentic depiction of Nigerian culture that’s also telling a very universal story.

You only need to glimpse the week’s headlines to know that women’s rights and domestic abuse are still endemic global issues.” Twitter users praised the performances of Ini Dima-Okojie, Nancy Isime, Kate Henshaw, Ramsey Noah, Tope Tedela and others and also praised the series for its plot and storyline.