Àsírí Adé Full Movie Review and Recap

The movie Àsírí Adé opens with an intense and gripping scene. Olóyè Arẹ̀ṣà, played by Ìjẹ̀bú, is fleeing for his life, guarded by an Ẹ̀ṣọ́, a palace guard. He’s being pursued by a masked figure, a terror of a man whose presence alone is chilling. The tension builds as the assassin catches up to Olóyè Arẹ̀ṣà and takes his life. This first scene immediately sets the tone for the movie as thrilling and attention-grabbing, pulling the audience in right from the start.

From this opening, I was already impressed by the filmmakers’ attention to detail. The use of an Ẹ̀ṣọ́ as a guard was spot on, showing proper research into Yorùbá history. And then there’s the sword—an authentic representation of what was used in Yorùbáland during that era. It’s been a challenge for movie sets I’ve been seeing to get the sword used in Yorùbáland in their productions right, so I appreciated the effort.

We’re then introduced to Ọba Adéwọlá, the king of Ìwàjoyin, portrayed by Akin Lewis. His queen, played by Fathia Balogun, and their only child, Princess Oyínadé, played by Ọmọ́wùmí Dàda, are preparing to welcome suitors from a neighbouring royal family.

Leading the suitors is Prince Adéyẹlé, the son of Ọba Adégoróyè. He’s handsome but has a chronic stammer, which makes him undesirable to Ọba Adéwọlá and Princess Oyínadé. The princess, however, is already in love with Iréwọlé, a humble beadmaker played by Mike Afọlárìn.

Meanwhile, the movie introduces Ọba Ajagungbadé, a conqueror and warrior king played by Bọ́lánlé Nínálowó. He returns victorious from battle to his town, Ìkérèwà, only to learn that his favourite chief, Olóyè Arẹ̀ṣà, has been assassinated. What makes this even more horrifying is that Olóyè Arẹ̀ṣà’s manhood was mutilated after his death.

To strengthen their kingdoms, Ọba Ajagungbadé and Ọba Adéwọlá form an alliance. As part of this, Princess Oyínadé is expected to marry Ọba Ajagungbadé’s son, Prince Akinadé, played by Gabriel Afọláyan. What no one knows is that Prince Akinadé is impotent, adding another layer of tension to the arrangement. But Princess Oyínadé is steadfast in her love for Iréwọlé, a love that threatens to derail the alliance.

The suspense in Àsírí Adé builds as the masked assassin continues to target Ọba Ajagungbadé’s chiefs, killing only his closest allies and mutilating their bodies. Who is this masked figure, and why does he only go after these specific men? The mystery keeps the audience guessing. Things take a turn when Ajírọ́ba, played by Lasisi Elenu, accidentally sees the assassin’s face.

At this point, tensions between Ọba Ajagungbadé and Ọba Adéwọlá reach a boiling point. Ọba Ajagungbadé accuses Ọba Adéwọlá of sending the assassin to kill his chiefs, while Princess Oyínadé’s refusal to marry Prince Akinadé only worsens the situation. The story takes a dramatic turn when Ajírọ́ba identifies Iréwọlé as the masked assassin. Ọba Adéwọlá steps in to protect him, further straining the fragile alliance between the two powerful kings.

The plot thickens with the shocking revelation that Iréwọlé has a twin brother, Gbèjàmi, who is the real masked assassin. Gbèjàmi, a palm wine seller, is on a mission of vengeance. We learn that their mother, Àdùkẹ́, was raped by Ọba Ajagungbadé during his quest for power. This act, aided by his closest allies—who are now the assassin’s victims—was part of a ritual to secure Ọba Ajagungbadé’s kingship. Àdùkẹ́ cursed his lineage, which is why Prince Akinadé is impotent.

To lift the curse, Prince Akinadé must kill his father. In a dramatic climax, he does just that, ending Ọba Ajagungbadé’s reign. Gbèjàmi completes his mission of vengeance, and the twins reconcile. Peace is finally brokered between the kingdoms, and love triumphs as Princess Oyínadé and Iréwọlé are united. Iréwọlé is even set to succeed Ọba Adéwọlá as the king of Ìwàjoyin, marking a hopeful new chapter.

What stands out in Àsírí Adé is its cultural depth. The movie is filled with Yorùbá proverbs, analogies, and sayings that truly transport you to the time it portrays. The language is impeccable, with actors like Ọmọ́wùmí Dàda and Mike Afọlárìn delivering flawless performances in Yorùbá.

The setting is intentional and immersive. I loved the marketplace scenes that showcased the making of Òfì fabric and the blacksmiths at work. Including Lasisi Elenu in a serious role was also a bold move that paid off; he nailed his performance.

But I do have a couple of criticisms. First, the titles of Arẹ̀ṣà and Ajerò are among the oldest and most respected kingships in Yorùbáland, not chieftain titles. Even though it’s just a movie, this portrayal could mislead viewers unfamiliar with the culture. Second, the depiction of Iréwọlé as a poor bead-maker doesn’t sit right. Beadmaking was a lucrative trade during that era, and portraying it otherwise feels inaccurate.

Still, these issues don’t overshadow the brilliance of the movie. Àsírí Adé is a masterpiece, blending suspense, history, and cultural pride. It’s a must-watch for lovers of Yorùbá culture and storytelling. I’m giving it a solid 8 out of 10.

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