There is always that small side eye Nigerians give any film that starts making money immediately. You will hear things like, “Hope it is not just packaging?” or “Abeg, is it actually good?” So when Aba Blues pulled ₦19.9 million in its opening weekend, people noticed, but they also started asking questions.

Because we have seen this before. A film trends, everybody rushes to the cinema, then two days later, the same people are on social media warning others not to waste their money.

This time, the conversation feels a bit different.

Aba Blues, directed by Jack’enneth Opukeme and produced by Barbara Babarinsa, and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, is not trying too hard to impress. It is not loud, it is not doing too much, and maybe that is part of why people are paying attention. The film takes you back to 1989 Aba and tells a story that feels familiar, but not in a boring way.

At the centre is Amara, played by Angel Anosike, a woman whose life is already complicated before her former lover decides to reappear and scatter everything. It is a simple setup, but the way the story unfolds is where the real interest is.

People who have seen the film keep saying the same thing in different ways. It feels real.

Not real like documentary real, but real in the way conversations happen, in the way emotions drag, in the way people make decisions that are not always clean or smart. The film does not rush to give you drama every five minutes. It allows moments to breathe, and for some viewers, that is exactly what makes it hit.

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Of course, that same thing is also why some people are complaining. If you are the type who wants fast pace, big twists, and constant tension, you might feel like the film is taking too much time. But if you like stories that sit with you a bit, this one seems to be doing that job well.

Another thing people cannot ignore is the setting. Aba is not just there for decoration. You can feel the city in the film. The hustle, the ambition, the pressure to make something of yourself, and how all of that can quietly enter relationships and start causing cracks. That part is resonating with viewers, especially because it feels close to home.

The acting is also getting decent praise. Angel Anosike carries the story in a way that does not feel forced. It is not over the top, it is not shouting for attention, it just works. The supporting cast adds to that tension in a way that keeps things believable.

Still, not everybody is fully convinced. Some people feel the story plays it safe and does not push far enough, especially for a cinema film. Others expected something more dramatic or unpredictable. But even with those complaints, there is no strong backlash, which is already saying something.

Because Nigerians do not keep quiet when a film disappoints them.

The ₦19.9 million opening shows that people were curious enough to show up, but the real test is always what happens after that first weekend. Right now, the film is still being talked about, and not in a negative way. People are recommending it, discussing it, and arguing about it. That kind of conversation usually means the film has something.

FilmOne Entertainment has already thanked Nigerians for the support and is clearly expecting more people to come out. And honestly, if the current momentum continues, they might get it.

So yes, it has made ₦19.9 million already. But the more interesting part is this: people are still talking about it after watching it. And in Nollywood, that is usually a good sign that it might be worth your time.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri