The man who gave us one of the internet’s most iconic sacks is back and this time, he’s sacking the entire Nigerian film industry.
Francis OdegaardThe veteran comedian immortalized globally with the “Gerrara Here” meme wasn’t laughing today. In a bombshell podcast interview released this morning, Odegaard got scorched earth about the current situation. nollywooddelivering what fans said was the most “cruel” criticism of the year.
Quantity over quality?
Odegaard doesn’t hesitate when it comes to comparing films of the past to the flashy, big-budget productions of 2026. He believes the industry has traded social media hype and movie aesthetics for its soul.
“At that time, a script could give us an unforgettable movie.” Odegaard said in an interview. “Now, one script gives you seven bad movies. We’ve lost the essence of storytelling.”
The “Golden Age” and the “Instagram Age”
The veteran actor believes that while technical quality (camera, lighting and sound) has improved; substance has evaporated. He points out that the “golden age” – the era of Genevieve Nagy, Omotola Jarad-Ekeinde and Peter Edochie – relied on raw talent and tight scripts.
Today, he claims, casting is often based on Number of followers rather than the scope of action.
why this is important
Odegaard’s comments struck a nerve on social media. While some younger fans believe Nollywood is finally competing with Netflix and Prime Video on a global scale, many “old Nollywood” fans are siding with Odega. They argue that modern films often feel like “long music videos” rather than coherent stories.
Key points of his criticism include:
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Lazy scripting: Writers are “copying and pasting” plots to create content for streaming platforms.
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Lack of discipline: Young actors are more focused on their “brand” than acting skills.
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Dilute the culture: The authentic Nigerian “flavor” is lost in order to appeal to Western audiences.
judgment
Is Francis Odegaard just a “bitter veteran” or is he the only one brave enough to tell the truth? Whether you agree with him or not, his words have sparked a massive debate about where the industry is headed.
In an era when the box office reaches 1 billion naira, Odega reminds us: Money does not always equal merit.
What do you think? Is Nollywood better than ever, or do we need to “Glala here” with these modern scripts? If you want me to list the biggest fan reactions from this interview, let me know!
