Femi Adebayo’s ‘Seven Doors’ is a fresh take on love, tradition, and royalty in Nollywood [Review]

Seven Doors delivers a vulnerable king grappling with love and duty. It’s layered with emotional depth, making you feel the weight of a king’s decisions.

When you hear the name Femi Adebayo, one thing comes to mind: cinematic brilliance. After Jagun Jagun swept the industry off its feet with its gripping story, stellar performances, and jaw-dropping visuals, expectations for his new Netflix series, Seven Doors, were sky-high. And let me tell you, this series doesn’t just knock; it kicks the doors wide open with a bold new perspective on love, tradition, and the burden of leadership.

Set in Ilara, Seven Doors immerses viewers in a tale of royalty, romance, and riveting mystery. The story follows King Adedunjoye, a ruler torn between the demands of his kingdom and the love of his life. His ascension to the throne is anything but smooth: his marriage faces relentless tests, his village is spiralling into chaos, and he’s faced with an impossible choice that could change everything. To open the “seven doors” each representing a wife or not? That is the question, and it’s a big one. 

Let’s talk about the fresh perspective here because Seven Doors isn’t your usual Nollywood royal romance. Typically, kings are portrayed as stoic, infallible, and emotionally detached figures, while tradition is treated as an unshakable pillar of the narrative. But here, Femi Adebayo flips the script. We see a king who is vulnerable, conflicted, and deeply human; a man whose love life isn’t just a subplot but a core driving force of the story.

King Adedunjoye’s relationship feels authentic, layered with passion, misunderstandings, and the heavy weight of duty. It’s a love story wrapped in cultural constraints, and watching the characters navigate these challenges is both refreshing and deeply engaging. Adebayo doesn’t just depict love; he makes us feel the stakes.

READ ALSO: A First Look at ‘Seven Doors’: Femi Adebayo’s latest Netflix Series

Visuals That Speak Volumes

Now, the visuals. The art direction and set design in Seven Doors are nothing short of spectacular. The intricate designs of the palace, and the costumes blend modern and traditional aesthetics.

The VFX? Well, it’s a mixed bag. While some sequences felt overly dramatic-think special effects turned up to the max. The intention and execution are commendable. You can tell a lot of effort went into creating a believable and captivating world. Sure, a few scenes might make you recoil but overall, it’s a win.

At its core, Seven Doors is a story about choices; about how love, tradition, and leadership often collide in ways that demand tough decisions. It’s a narrative that asks important questions: How much should we sacrifice for love? When does tradition become a burden? And most importantly, how do we lead without losing ourselves?

Femi Adebayo’s ability to tackle these themes with nuance is what sets this series apart. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a thoughtful exploration of human struggles wrapped in royal drama.

Should You Watch It?

Absolutely. Whether you’re in it for the drama, the romance, or just to see what happens when a king is in a dilemma, this series has something for everyone.

I will give this a 4 out of 5-star rating.