Lionheart Movie (2018) [Cast, Trailer, Plot & Reviews]

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Lionheart Movie

Lionheart Movie Trailer

Again, just like King of Boys, if you are Nigerian and you haven’t heard of Lionheart, a movie directed by our dear Genevieve Nnaji, then, I’m judging you, just like Luvvie Ajayi would.
Anyways, Lionheart is the movie of the moment, it’s the word on the lips of everyone because it’s the first Nigerian movie to be acquired by Netflix. It’s the most talked about movie on social media right now and differing opinions have been flying on every corner.

Lionheart Plot

“Lionheart tells the story of Adaeze Obiagu (portrayed by Nnaji), who wants to substitute for her father, Ernest Obiagu (Pete Edochie) when he can no longer run his company due to health issues. Her father, however, asks his brother Godswill (Nkem Owoh) to substitute for him, and Godswill and Adaeze have to work hard together to save the company from a huge debt and to not lose the company to the businessman Igwe Pascal (Kanayo O. Kanayo).”- Wikipedia
Screen time- 94 minutes
Release date – September 7, 2018

Lionheart Cast

Genevieve Nnaji as Adaeze Obiagu
Nkem Owoh as Chief Godswill Obiagu
Pete Edochie as Chief Ernest Obiagu
Onyeka Onwenu as Abigail Obiagu
Kanayo O. Kanayo as Igwe Pascal
Kalu Ikeagwu as Samuel Akah
Jemima Osunde as Onyinye
Sani Muazu as Alhaji Danladi Maikano
Chibuzo Azubuike (also known as Phyno) as Obiora Obiagu.
Yakubu Mohammed as Hamza Maikano
Peter Okoye as Arinze

Lionheart Reviews and Ratings

I’ve watched Lionheart and even though I tried to watch it with my six months old daughter who wanted me to play with her at the same time, I didn’t miss the tiniest detail.
Before I share my thoughts on Lionheart, below are the reviews of some Nigerians who have watched it:
“Thank you Genevieve for dismantling many stereotypes in Lionheart:
About Uncles. Not all of them are after your downfall, or corrupt, or power hungry and greedy. Some Uncles act just like your father, showing genuine love and affection, and interested in the wellbeing of their nephews and nieces.
About Equality. Nigerian women are leaders. They are strong, resilient, determined, visionary. I love the role of Onyeka Onwenu in the movie – a fierce supporter of her daughter in the business world, the number one fan of her son in the music industry and a loving wife to her husband and her husband’s family. The epitome of an ideal woman.
About Igbo. A movie can still be a best seller (at home and abroad) despite the fact that it makes no apology for the rich Igbo culture. No need to interpret the language, no need to italyse or put words in quotations. The world wee be alright.
About Corruption. Yes, some Nigerians are corrupt, but not all of them. Majority of Nigerians are hardworking and industrious, seeking honest paths in providing for their family. Nkem Owoh really brought this home in this movie. No need to over-act to convey the simple message of morality.” – Adeolu Emmanuel Adesanya
 
“LIONHEART IS NOT THAT TERRIBLE
When I saw the advertisement for a Nigerian movie showing on Netflix, I was besides myself. Added to that is that our unaging Genevieve and a host of top tier actors would be in it; I couldn’t wait to watch it.
But.
From the beginning, it was an herculean task to keep watching. I had to watch the movie three times before I could get to the end. The acting was subpar and the storyline was unimaginative.
The infusion of our Naija languages in it was worth an applause, but as former slaves, we had to pander to the western world by still speaking their language. The movie could have been made totally in Nigerian languages.
Some scenes were totally needless while some characters needed to be expanded. Like Onyeka Onwenus character.
There were a bit of bright points in the movie:
Pete Edochie’s acting and the chemistry between him and Onyeka. That’s it for the total bright points. The rest of the movie was a fight to bring some sense into every second of it.
It’s not really a terrible movie. In contrast to other Nollywood movies, it tries to be noteworthy. But after years of watching movies from different nations, Lionheart could have been done better.
Movie score: 4/10
P.S: Kanayos acting was abysmal. Who advised him to wear that horrid hat?” – Akinola Aloba
 
“I just finished watching Lionheart – Obiagu. I love It! The opening scene was a tad annoying – the extras were not good actors in my opinion and the scene seemed forced. Then the scene with the external auditors too – I feel the actors were rubbish but apart from those two bits, I love the film.
Nkem Owoh makes a pleasant departure from his normal roles of being a comedic nuisance. He still retained the comedic bit but left the nuisance out.
They don’t call Onyeka Onwenu ‘the elegant stallion’ for nothing. Ok… she is not a stallion, but elegant she is. She played the part of an elegant Igbo matriarch very well – a lovely departure from the screaming, over the top Naija mum that seems to be the default character for Naija mums now.
Kanayo O Kanayo is as usual the eyeball bulging villain. Played perfectly. I loved it when he sent his condolences to Odogu. Lol. Eleriibu character.
The guy who played Sam was also good in his usual character of evil antagonist. I loved how he did his face to look like that of someone eating merde in the opening scene and how he constantly balanced his hatred for the Obiagus with a feigned love for them.
The guy who played Obiora… hmmm… not sure of him but if it was him that sang the song at the end, that song redeems him in my opinion.
Pete Edoche… perfect. Just perfect. Nothing more to add.
And Genevieve? She was a bit stiff but that is Genny’s style. Apart from that, I feel she is also brilliant. And her wardrobe is to die for. I think I saw a couple of Roland Mouret dresses if I’m not wrong.
I love that the film is not your bog standard love story of Nollywood.
The production quality is perfect. And the song ‘Obiagu’ is what Yorubas call ‘alujo’ – a floor filler.
Genevieve Nnaji, Jisike!” – Olu Bunmi
 
“My opinion of Genevieve Nnaji- I love her, true to God but truth is, I think she has lost touch with her emotional self. Asides her character in the film, I believe she’s much toooooo stiff for. In Nigeria, we use the term ‘dry’ if you know what I mean. She’s become too conservative as it were and this reflects in her voice too. Too British, if you know what I mean. I’m a conservative individual but I’m also a delightful person. This is what is missing in Genevieve Nnaji.” – Faith Watchtower James
 
“Gene can do no wrong in my eyes. That film is it! Away from the norm. Some breath of fresh air. I have watched it thrice now. Thanks to Netflix.”- Roselyn Ejiro
 
“I loved the opening scene tho, it felt real to me, in fact, we joked about how the lead thug acted his part better than Genevieve herself in that scene.
Phyno is like a god in the east I imagine there’s a whole stack of people that will watch the movie just because he’s in it. As for the PSquare guy…what was that?
Overall good movie & I enjoyed it altho I don’t think it was a real ‘departure’ …a lot of Nig movies are now at this level and arguably even better.” – Odigwe Okonji
 
“I’ll personally rate this movie 3 out of 5. I understand that they were trying to tell an endearing story. I particularly love the way they promoted the fact that the girl child can lead especially in a patriarchal setting like Nigeria. I love the way the igbo language was very well promoted.
However the acting of some of the extras were a bit off, the scenes sometimes too short, some loose ends in the story could have been tied up better to avoid the audience guessing who is what or what was going on. The lead actors did prove once again that they are legends in the industry. The film was okay but could have been more mind-challenging.
People should see the movie, it has some subtle messages we could use in this generation of ours.” – Abimbola Wale-Makinde
 
“I understand that she was trying to project the Igbo culture but for a multi-dialect country like Nigeria, I really didn’t appreciate a whole scene of about 6mins strictly in Igbo dialect (the family dining scene) plus I think it was a bit of a drag.” – Bolaji Eyitayo-Salami
 
“I felt Peter Okoye’s acting was meh. I’m confused about the almost duping scene, maybe I need to watch again. Genevieve told her uncle to wait outside by the swimming pool, somehow somehow he was climbing down the stairs into a basement or wherever that is and then went out the other door and Genevieve knew exactly where he was, even when she didn’t leave him there and he has wandered into the nook and cranny of someone else’s house. I loved the movie baje sha.” – Modesola Ojumu
 
“I was one of the first people in my circle of friends to read ‘Purple Hibiscus’. Infact, I introduced most of my friends to the book.
Is Purple Hibiscus explosive? No. It is not an explosive book yet it is one of the best books of its genre.
This is how I regard Lionheart. It is not explosive. But I regard it as one of the best films of its genre.
Not everytime suspence! Not everytime GBOA! GBISH! POW!
What is not to love about this film na?
I love the celebration of Igbo culture. Did you notice that at the dining table, they did not eat generic rice but real Igbo dishes? I always wonder why it is almost always rice that is eaten in Nollywood films.
I love the nod to feminism.
I love the nod to good parenting of allowing each chikd to chase their passions and dreams instead of forcing them to live the parents (failed) dreams.
I love the music. Yes. I now know Phyno. Lol
I love the admonition for Igbos to stay away from dodgy businesses and to be upstanding.
I love that the Igbo scene were translated into English. This has been my constant gripe with a lot of Igbo Nollywood films – they don’t seem to want to bother about non Igbo viewers.
I love how Nigeria (Enugu especially in this film) looks so beautiful in the film.
I love the production quality. It is very obvious that Ms Nnaji spent a lot of money on getting excellent cast and crew and machines.
What is not to love?
Yes, some scenes like the initial riot scene and the audit scene were rubbish in my opinion. Yes, Pete Edochie was clutching his right chest in a suspected heart attack. Yes P of P Square was a bit rubbish. Yes, Genevieve should have done more research into debt management and business mergers. Yes, the dress Genevieve wore for the party at the end of film is not great. However, these issues are not enough to slate the film.
I would rate this film a 4.6 out if 5. If you don’t like it, you’re a Philistine as far as I’m concerned. Lol.” – Olu Bunmi
 
“I was watching that film last night on Netflix and I slept off but will watch the whole movie over the weekend.” – Odion Taiye Ejima
 
“I rate it 60%. My reason: Poor research.
1) Auditors are not collection officers
2) The solution was pedestrian. The strategy session she had showed that there were business challenges but she did nothing to change that. Why did she waste our time documenting feedback on the board? So a merger was a short term solution, if they didn’t improve on the modus operandi of the Operations; they will still make losses. Expansion was not the problem, effective operations was and it wasn’t solved.
3) She had been in the company for years. Doing what? How does a chairman take a loan without anyone’s knowledge? What documentation was used? Where was the CFO and what happened to corporate governance?
4) A competitor comes into a board meeting to negotiate a hostile clandestine take over? Who ratified his attendance? What happened to the company secretariat?
5) Osofia sat amidst the team to propagate management by walking around but he didn’t substantiate it. Did he learn anything?
6) The coincidence of Osofia helping someone and he turned out to be thw aon of the man they needed for the merger is so Nollywood. How?
7) What were the exact business lessons that uncle taught Adannia?
That initial presentation where an advert was shown and commended as a pitch, how?
9) Genevieve was stiff. I kept thinking of Adesuwa or Nse in the role.
I may be strange though. I slept through half of Chief Daddy and still wanted a refund of my time and money.” – Olufunke Olaofe Isichei
 
“Watched it on Netflix. Good movie out of Nollywood. Everytime you see Nkem Owoh in a movie, you always expect that something must go wrong….but it was different….Good thing that the Chairman didn’t die as we always expect. The only area in the movie that was a no no for me was when Nkem Owoh caught those Igbo guys trying to outsmart the Hausa business guy. How can you enter someone’s compound for the first time walking around and even go downstairs or underground???
Anyways, what is Mr P doing in that movie….the scene was unnecessary maybe.
Overall, it was a good one 3.5 out of 5.” – Ohis Ohioneroya 
 
“A very interesting movie to watch with so much lessons to learn (on business, family, inter-ethnic relations, etc.). The casting was perfect, quality picture and audio but there should have been a subtitle (for the Igbo speaking parts of the scenes). Also a little extension on the outcome Hamza and Adaeze’s discussion. Nice one from Genevieve.” – Ajayi Michael Babatunde
 
“Picture and audio quality; on point. There were good lessons and messages but it was overhyped. I expected more depth… but what do I know?”- Joi Benson
 
“The sight of Kanayo O Kanayo and Pete Edochie made me assume its one of those usual Nollywood Money rituals movie but unfortunately It was something else entirely. Kudos to Genevieve.” – Ajayi Bukola
 
“The movie is overrated. But it hits some part of feminism, hard work, And family ties. And above all the cinematography was bae.” – Gbotemi Faleye
 
“I actually do like it. A LOT. A WHOLE LOT. I felt so connected and this was the first time I didn’t have to roll my eyes at the screen. (Except for where I saw shirtless Psquare).”- Olivia Ugochukwu
 
“The film it’s self is clean,Hollywood standard. But the story doesn’t worth the hype,there are lots of better story line out there.” – Olaitan Olori Florentina
 
“Good cinematography, welcome feminism concept and tribal tolerance. However poor research on corporate finance and business restructuring. As an accountant, I felt nauseated seeing external auditors doing debt recovery and enforcement.”- Ludola Omodogbe-Ajani
 
“Overhyped like ‘Chief Daddy’ and ‘Wedding Party 2’. Anybody that wants to watch a good Nigerian Movie should go see ‘King of boys’ by Kemi Adetiba.”- Bolaji Yemi
 
“You people that are saying over hyped. Don’t you want them to sell ni, it’s marketing strategy na, if they don’t hype it how will you watch it.”- Adeola Jokotade
 
“I was underwhelmed. Good effort but over hyped like Wedding Party.”- Adaobi Ifeoma Otu
 
“I don’t really like doing movie reviews because most of the movies I like, majority end up not liking them.
I love to look out for some things in movies and they are: picture quality which is the result of its cinematography, audio quality, and storyline. Casting is my least of expectation.
Lionheart ticked all of these boxes for me. The fact that it tried to tell a typical Nigerian story made me love it more.
I don’t think any movie has tried to reasonably juxtapose the Eastern Nigerian story and the North like the way Lionheart does. And at the end, the movie succeeded in breaking out of the box of it being an Igbo movie, it becomes a national movie carrying the flag of unity, and this makes it timely and timeless.
Lionheart is deep in symbolism. The merger between Lionheart Motors, owned by an Igbo man and struggling to be in business, and Maikano Motors, owned by an Hausa man and doing very well, shows that beyond ethnic division, people of like minds can come together to do great things.
Also, the people that don’t want Lionheart to succeed are Igbo. This shows that evil people don’t care if you are from their tribe or not. This is a big message
Lionheart is a movie I can’t get tired of.” – Adebowale Popson
 
“I enjoyed watching the movie yesterday. However, I felt the story line was too watery. The likes of Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh were underutilized. These are brilliant legends. I’m very proud of Genevieve but this isn’t her best.” – Juliet Leuna
 
“I love love Ms Nnaji. I love the grounds she is breaking, first as a Woman, and a Nigerian. It is gold.
But I think over the years, she has become immune to acting (how I see it) and she doesn’t loose herself into the thing anymore. She holds back the actions and tries to Glam up parts that she should be releasing herself to.
Lion Heart as a story was great. But she didn’t move me.”- Dahiru Fareedah
 
“I actually liked the movie. I like the storyline but i think she could have done better with casting. Those board members seemed so backward. Peter Okoye and Phyno are not great actors. All in all, it was a good attempt albeit over hyped.”- Nneoma Wokemba
 
“Finally! After all the great reviews I saw online, I started to wonder if what I saw was actually Lionheart. Granted, the storyline is alright but the delivery lacks pñash, it was very weak. Truthfully, I expected a lot more.”- Vivian Umeh Dike
 
“The best review I’ve read so far of this movie. Sometimes I wonder why people can’t be honest with themselves on issues like this and stop overhyping movies because of who produced or directed a movie. Just say it as it is!!! Thanks for your honesty.”- Vivian Kave
 
“I so much love Genevieve, I looked forward to seeing the movie.. But I got bored at a point… No suspense, no thrilling conflict, bland storyline… Nothing out of the ordinary.” – Carolyna Carolyna
 
“I’m watching the movie right now and I can confidently say it lacks depth. There’s nothing to learn as it is typical of most African magic movies.No details. No nada! Simply bland all through. Just the usual emotions and ‘overdramatization.” – Amadi Oha
 
“I’m sorry but Lionheart is sleep-inducing. Maybe it’s not the best movie to see after close of work but damn, I was fighting to keep my eyes open. It took me some 7 hours to get through it… at some point, I had to take some Lipton tea to stay up. There was no Aha moment, no climax, no fast-paced anything. Just plain and predictable. And the acting… nothing incredible. I like that Genevieve is a laidback person but I hate how this demureness finds its way into her every performance. I wish I can see her more alive or animated in her roles.
However, I’m not holding my breath.
It was a beautiful story she was trying to tell though- family values, North and South alliance, feminist themes but the delivery fell very flat. Ohh, the cinematography was great and the infusion of Igbo and Hausa into the dialogues- I absolutely loved that.
The scene with the external auditors- what the flying spaghetti was that?” – Blessing Mary Ocheido
And my review? Let me just say Olufunke Olaofe Isichei and Blessing Mary Ocheido have written my review.

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