Written by Ukeme Ninedeys, this film titled “…and then came Grace” is directed by Great Valentine Edochie (also starring as Richard), produced by Susan Ogutuga and Executively produced Tomi Adeoye & Omoni Oboli. Released on the 22nd of August, 2025, the faith-based drama with a run time of 1hour 40minutes is now streaming on the latter’s YouTube channel with same name.

SYNOPSIS: (MAY contain spoilers)

Grace (Bimbo Ademoye) is a Youth Minister in her Church, a devout Christian and works as a nurse in a hospital. When Kunle (Taye Arimoro), her new neighbour comes along, Grace finds herself at a crossroads of choices; torn between her own heart’s desire and her spiritual leader’s expectations of her.

MY TAKE:

First Impression/Reaction:

This has to be one of the best faith-based films I’ve seen on this channel. The bold storytelling is applaudable. The lines are brilliant. The chemistry between the lead actors is undeniably captivating. Taye & Bimbo, without trying to do much, carried the film throughout with their charm. Loved the pairing of the actors. 

STORY/PLOT:

The story highlights multiple aspects of human lives. It portrays Christian match-making and its resultant effects. It also depicts the weight of traumas, grudges carried from a painful past, grief, restitution, forgiveness and redemption. The plot is straightforward and focused. No dragged scenes, no repetitive dialogues. Pretty much a bish bash bosh approach, the duration is practically impressive. 

Although quite briefly, the film also touched on mental illness with a subtle reference to bipolar. It equally portrayed the issues of male-child räpe victims which is often not talked about as much. For how much I appreciate flashbacks on backstories, I was however pleased to have been spared of the torture of a vivid representation of Kunle’s dark past. Traumatising, it would have ruined my viewing experience.

PERFORMANCE/ROLE DELIVERY:

The lead actors put up a compelling performance so much so that viewers are drawn naturally into the world of the characters they interpreted. However, some of the supporting actors did not live up to this standard especially the guy who played Doctor towards the end of the movie. Be that as it may, I loved seeing veteran actress Maimina Yahaya here (as Richard’s mother). She’s one of my mum’s favourite actors from back in the day.

CREW/TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Costume, makeup and hair in this movie are amazing. Loved how Bimbo shone brightly throughout; her entire outlook was on fleek from start to finish. Location was okay but I don’t understand the hospital room at one of the pen ultimate scenes of the movie. Not very believable, it looked fake especially because we didn’t know if the character was being quarantined to be in such enormous space. 

Audio and sound quality were poor. Sometimes, I could barely hear what Taye was saying. Strained my ears most times. His baritone voice was coming in the way of his words; not because he didn’t speak well but because the sound wasn’t mixed properly in my opinion.

Cinematography was awesome. I love the vivid picture quality. 

OUTCOME/LESSONS:

This movie passed some good messages; one which I think most spiritual leaders are guilty of.

  • The need to stop playing God in people’s lives. Allow them experience God by themselves. Besides, Christ died for us all on the same day. He didn’t die for Pastors more than he died for others.
  • Some matchmaking may work out well but some may not.

OBSERVATION/QUESTIONS:

  1. What was the connection of the story to anaemia? Of what use was that aspect of the story to the movie? At some point, I felt it was going to be one of the major highlight of the film when Kunle fell ill. In fact, I even thought I was going to cry. But well thank goodness they spared me that premium tears
  2. Some off acting from the only sick patient we saw at the hospital and also the doctor towards the end of the film.
  3. The other male character didn’t have to be portrayed as bad. Filmmakers & storytellers keep repeating this. Viewers already knew Richard was a wrong choice for Grace. The plot twist or realisation towards the end should have been more shocking if his character was a loving one.
  4. We never saw Kunle’s restaurant. I mean, he had flyers to that effect, right? Was he cooking and supplying from home? They didn’t say or did I miss it?
  5. Some unnecessary scenes like when Grace was struggling to open her own door. What was that for? This is precisely between time frame 38:54 and 39:31. It had me thinking she was going to be attacked or that Kunle was going to come after her. Was Grace fighting some temptation there? See, that scene added nothing to the plot if you ask me. It could easily have been taken off during editing.
  6. Make me understand why Richard was being followed by an entourage all through.
  7. The hugging and smooching in the church scene in the end was not realistic. Hardly any Christian couple who stand in the middle of the Church, hugging and caressing after a Church service.

CONCLUSION:

The movie though predictable in a way is interesting. Be that as it may, many a part could have been handled differently especially the display or manifestation by Richard at the wedding scene. It was giving one of those characters from Nollywood of old who has been hit by an evil spell from Chiwetalu Agu’s shrine or Zulu Adigwe’s madness powder-potions blown in the air. I don’t want to believe that bipolar disorders come in that manner without any significant triggers. Overall, nonetheless, the story is compelling, relatable, inspiring, captivating, somewhat intriguing and entertaining.

VERDICT: 5.5/10

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