My Father's Shadow

My Father's Shadow

Directed by Akinola Davies Jr.

Produced by BBC Film, BFI

202593 min7.3 / 10

A intimate family drama set against political turmoil, exploring reconciliation and vulnerability between estranged father and sons against the backdrop of 1990s Lagos.

Two young brothers explore Lagos with their estranged father during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, witnessing both the city's magnitude and their father's daily struggles as political unrest threatens their journey home.

Questions people ask

  • Is My Father's Shadow sad? Yes. More sad than 82% of films.

  • Is My Father's Shadow scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 61% of films.

  • Does My Father's Shadow end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 61% of films.

  • Is My Father's Shadow easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is My Father's Shadow violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

63/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity53

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise57

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love80

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like My Father's Shadow

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as My Father's Shadow

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like My Father's Shadow, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like My Father's Shadow, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like My Father's Shadow, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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