“The Lost Days” Finds Power in a Quiet, Simple Tale

Nollywood has no shortage of laughs and love stories, but “The Lost Days” offers something deeper. It trades spectacle for sincerity, delivering a family drama that lingers.

The film follows Chioma (Ifeoma Fafunwa), a wealthy woman who survives cancer and sets out to make peace with her past. She travels to a remote village to reunite with her ex-boyfriend of 30 years, Baba Kola (Bimbo Manuel). Time and past marriages haven’t dulled their spark—their chemistry is instant. They reconnect over old regrets, lost love, and family. Soon, Chioma decides to stay with the now-widowed Kola, and a gentle domestic rhythm settles in.

But there’s a secret between them: they share a son, Moses (Baaj Adebule), whom Chioma had to leave behind decades ago due to family pressure. Her true reason for returning is to finally tell Moses the truth. But before she can, she’s kidnapped—by Kola’s wayward son (Durotimi Okutagidi), at Moses’ urging, for a ransom of ₦50 million.

What follows is a messy family reckoning, laced with betrayal, grief, and ultimately, forgiveness.

As the ninth entry in the First Features Project (a collaboration between Native Filmworks and Michelangelo Productions), “The Lost Days” proves that simplicity can carry depth. No elaborate setups or grand visuals are needed to land its message: family is flawed, often hurtful—but it’s still worth fighting for. Chioma embraces this, even after being betrayed by her own son. She forgives both men and offers her wealth and influence to help reduce their sentences. That part may be a stretch, even for Nollywood, but it still lands emotionally.

Director Wingonia Ikpi also captures the reality of Nigerian parenting with brutal honesty. Bimbo Manuel wears disappointment like a second skin, especially in scenes with his underachieving son—a broke, chain-smoking “village champion” with no direction. Then there’s Moses, the so-called golden child, who turns out worse: fired for scamming, deceitful, and deeply entitled.

The film leans into class tension too. In a heated argument with Chioma’s daughter, Nkem (Cynthia Clarke), Moses lays it bare: she’s a nepo baby, he’s a “Lapo baby.” One grew up in comfort, the other clawed through poverty—and used that as justification for crime. The film makes its stance clear: poverty may push you, but it doesn’t excuse you.

Even with all the tension, it’s the quiet second-chance romance that steals the spotlight. Chioma and Baba Kola’s spark never fully faded. The way they ease back into love—shared meals, late-night conversations, and the silent weight of a shared secret—feels real. It’s subtle and powerful, and Ifeoma Fafunwa and Bimbo Manuel carry it gracefully. Writers Abdul TJ and Paul S. Rowlston knew what they were doing: they give this couple the ending they deserve.

Visually, “The Lost Days” is stunning. The camera lingers on Abeokuta’s natural beauty—its hills, rivers, markets, and festivals. The village becomes more than just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing part of the story.

If there’s one flaw, it’s that we never quite see enough of Chioma and Baba Kola’s past. Their love is discussed often, but flashbacks could’ve added weight and made their reunion even more affecting.

Still, “The Lost Days” is  another strong showing from the First Features Project. It might not reflect real-life justice systems, but it reflects real emotions: regret, longing, and the difficult grace of forgiveness.

“The Lost Days” is now streaming on Prime Video.”

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Runtime: 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 26 seconds
Streaming Service: Prime Video
Director: Wingonia Ikpi
Cast: Ifeoma Fafunwa, Bimbo Manuel, Baaj Adebule, Cynthia Clarke, Durotimi Okutagidi