Movie Review: Love in Every Word

The 2025 Nollywood romantic film Love in Every Word was an unexpected hit that made many Nigerians wonder, “God when?” This romantic tale, which was directed by Omoni Oboli, stars Uzor Arukwe as Obiora and Bamike “BamBam” Olawunmi-Adenibuyan as Chioma. Needless to say, both actors gave performances that caused many people to rethink their expectations of love. For good reason, the movie is all over the place, from TikTok lip syncs to X (Twitter) threads.

Plot That Hits Close to Home

Following Chioma, your typical Lagos babe—shrewd, elegant, and emotionally guarded—who is successful but has been burned by love and a toxic family past, particularly after witnessing how her father treated her mother, the story is set against the backdrop of Lagos’ hustle and the deeply ingrained traditions of Anambra. Obiora, not your typical “big man” trying to impress with money, but a rich, cultured, emotionally intelligent Igbo man who knows what he wants and is intentional about love, enters the scene.

It’s not your typical “he ghosted me” drama when it comes to their tension. It’s more profound. It’s about finding love without losing your identity, emotional healing, cultural pride, and unlearning trauma. You can relate to Chioma’s struggle if you’ve ever been told that “you’re too strong for a woman” or that “a good woman must always submit.” Obiora’s patience is also understandable if you’ve ever tried to demonstrate genuine love in a culture that values games and ghosting.

Characters We Can All Relate To

Obiora (Uzor Arukwe): Nigerian Twitter refers to this man as “a rare gem.” No falsified deep quotes or manipulation. Just sincerity, emotional maturity, and good vibes. Many Nigerian women have begun to modify their prayer points simply because he allows Chioma to grow rather than forcing her to change. And the way he represents his culture? Many Nigerians are learning to embrace their Igbo heritage and accent with greater pride these days.

Chioma (BamBam): You will either say, “That’s me fr,” or “That’s my friend fr,” when you see this character. She is a true Lagos girl—career-focused, protective, and unwilling to give up her tranquility for uncertainty. Her evolution in the film mirrors what so many Nigerian women go through: the constant pressure to choose between success and love, or the fear of repeating their parents’ mistakes. Chioma demonstrates that while healing is not a straight line, it is achievable.

Themes That Touch Everyone

1. Love with Intention: Nigerians are fed up of “talking stages” that last 8 months or eternity. Obiora came correct — and that’s why this film is very popular. It’s teaching both men and women the power of honest communication and being ready emotionally.
2. Cultural Pride: The film is unapologetically Nigerian. No fake British accents. No trying to sound “too western.” Obiora shows you can be elite and still respect your roots — something many Nigerians in the diaspora and even at home are reconnecting with.
3. Strong Women Exist: Chioma isn’t “too independent” — she’s just real. She’s showing that a woman can love deeply and still have boundaries, and that’s something Nollywood doesn’t always get right. She’s a modern woman, not a prop for a man’s ego.
4. Friendship Goals: Chioma’s friends are not the usual “jealous side chicks.” They’re real — the type who hype you when you’re glowing and call you out when you’re wrong. Their WhatsApp group chat must be wild, honestly.

Production That Matches the Story

The images in Love in Every Word are crisp; the scenes in Lagos exude a gentle life, while the scenes in Anambra give off a cozy feeling. The wardrobe is giving off a fashion-forward Nollywood vibe, the cinematography is tight, and the soundtracks are so heartfelt that you might want to block or text your ex again. It feels like a story that might occur on your street or in your neighborhood because of the scene changes, organic dialogue, and usage of regional dialects and expressions.

Some Bumps Along the Way

No movie is perfect. Some scenes dragged a bit (especially the office and flashback scenes), and a few side characters felt like extras instead of real people with backstories. But even with that, the storyline holds firm. The lessons land. The emotions connect. And most of all — you don’t leave the film empty.

Final Thoughts: Why It’s a Hit in Naija

Love in Every Word serves as a mirror and is more than just a love tale. Many Nigerians have grown weary of romanticized romance that isn’t grounded in reality. This movie makes love relatable. It provides us with imperfections, forgiveness, conflict, and real development. It’s the kind of tale you would reminisce about while stuck in traffic in Lagos or while enjoying shawarma at Cold Stone with friends.

It tells us that love isn’t a fraud; the wrong people are. Tradition is honored without being coerced. Most significantly, it demonstrates that vulnerability can still be strong in a society that values “hard guy, hard girl.”

So yes, Naija, Love in Every Word is a 10/10 if you like depth with your romance. And if you don’t believe in love before watching it — well, you just might start saying “God when” after.