Daniel U. Anthony, the Nigerian writer-director behind the upcoming horror thriller Day of the Games Night, discusses the film’s central themes and creative direction as it moves toward release. The project explores survival-driven storytelling, a theme he says remains underexplored in Nollywood and African cinema.
In an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Anthony says he has long been drawn to narratives that place characters in high-stakes situations where survival becomes the driving force. He explains that such stories naturally sustain audience interest through tension and uncertainty.
“It is an interesting element that makes one want to sit and see who makes it and who doesn’t,” he says. “The theme of the film is the kind of films I enjoy watching, and now that I’m delving into filmmaking, it is the kind of stories I’ll also tell.”
While acknowledging that the genre is not widely represented in Nollywood, Anthony expresses cautious optimism about its reception. He notes that Day of the Games Night centres on moral conflict, particularly the consequences of taking the law into one’s own hands.
“I think that is what will make a lot of people pay attention to the movie,” he says. “It will make you question how far is too far. At the end of the day, let the law take its course because when we take laws into our hands, it might be detrimental.”
The film features a cast that includes Chuks Joseph, Ichie Fuegu, and Toluwani George. Anthony highlights his confidence in their performances, particularly Fuegu, whom he had in mind while developing the script.
“When I was writing the script, I had Ichie Fuegu in mind,” he says. “I had seen some of his work and was captivated by it.” He adds that while he initially had reservations about how the performance would translate on set, those concerns were quickly resolved during production.
“When we started production and it was time for his scenes, I was blown away,” he says. “People will enjoy watching him. This will prove that he is a powerful actor.”
Anthony also points to the contributions of newer actors in the project, noting that their performances exceeded his expectations despite initial scepticism. He says the roles demanded a level of depth not typically assigned to first-time actors.
“The roles they played are not something you usually give to first-time actors, but they delivered,” he says. “I’m confident, and I can’t wait for people to see it.”
As anticipation builds for the film, Anthony says the story aims to go beyond entertainment by prompting reflection on justice and personal responsibility. According to him, the narrative reinforces the idea that taking the law into one’s own hands carries consequences.
On distribution, he says the film is likely to be released on YouTube, while also exploring opportunities through film festivals and potential distribution partnerships. “It’s about giving the actors and everyone involved the opportunity for their work to go beyond just views,” he explains.
Anthony acknowledges the challenge of building an audience for unconventional stories, noting that Nigerian viewers are more familiar with mainstream genres such as romance. He references his previous project, Apartment 13B, as an example of audience expectations shaping reception.
“We had people struggling with the ending because it didn’t follow the typical Nollywood structure,” he says. “There’s a kind of story we are allowed to tell, and when we do something different, it takes a certain audience to appreciate it.”
Despite this, he says he remains committed to telling stories that challenge conventions. He adds that audience perception often differs when comparing Nollywood to international cinema.
“Nollywood audiences sometimes expect us to be predictable, while they allow Hollywood to experiment,” he says. “But I try not to be predictable. I want to tell stories that stand out in their own way.”
