Grandpa Must Obey is the kind of film that makes viewers chuckle quietly while grinning from ear to ear. Its soft comedy and vulnerable moments are designed to touch the heart without missing a beat.
In the film, veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo plays Akachi, a 70-year-old grumpy widower and alcoholic, who seeks solace in countless bottles while mourning the death of his wife, Helen (Elvina Ibru). The story kicks off when his overworked and estranged daughter, Mabel (Yvonne Jegede), receives urgent work as a talent manager during Christmas.
Struggling with where to leave her two mischievous children, Fola (Darasimi Nadi) and Femi (Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga), Mabel reluctantly drops them with Akachi, whom they barely know. What follows is a series of pranks and generational clashes that reveal moments of truth, forgiveness, self-discovery, and second chances.
Directed by Chibuzor Afurobi and produced under Trino Motion Pictures, the film opens with a sequence highlighting Mabel’s hectic life as a single mother and talent manager. Viewers are quickly introduced to Femi and Fola, whose chaotic antics stem from love for their mother and create a personal vendetta against their grandfather. Over time, these mischievous moments allow both generations to connect and heal.
Kanayo delivers one of the most layered performances of his career. Known for ritualistic roles, his portrayal of Akachi is refreshingly vulnerable. He expresses love for his grandchildren in heartfelt ways rather than relying on force or authority. The pain Akachi carries is palpable; his grief is profound, and alcohol serves as a shield while he keeps others at a distance.
Bimbo Akintola shines as the kind neighbor, Yemisi, who becomes a guiding presence for Akachi. Yvonne Jegede captures the struggles of an overworked single mother. Nadi and Asenuga’s sibling chemistry is strong, though Asenuga occasionally overacts, while Nadi shows remarkable consistency and growth as a young actor.
The film’s tone is playful, with humor that respects the audience and feels earned. The characters’ mischief and pranks carry emotional weight, exemplified in a scene where Akachi, drunk and grieving, confronts Mabel about her mother’s death. This outburst triggers the children’s tantrums, illustrating how comedy and vulnerability coexist in the story.
The kidnapping subplot is less convincing, as the children fail to inform Mabel, leaving her in the dark. Despite this, the film’s technical and directorial choices, such as lingering camera shots, authentic facial expressions, and well-timed reaction shots enhance both comedic and tender moments. Light music and the strategic use of silence give the story breathing space.
Grandpa Must Obey is a feel-good Christmas film suitable for all ages. Afurobi, previously known for music-inspired stories like In The Music (2015) and The Drop (2025), steps into family comedy to explore grief, healing, and forgiveness. The film demonstrates that grandparents, too, can rediscover love and connection through the chaos of their grandchildren.
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Runtime: 1 hours plus
Streaming Platform: None, Cinemas release
Director(s): Chibuzor Aforubi
Cast: Kanayo. O. Kanayo, Brutus Richard, Bimbo Akintola, Yvonne Jegede, Darasimi Nadi, Elvina Ibru and Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga.