Kunle Afolayan Responds To Critics Of Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens
✍️ By Teju / February 11, 2026/ 11:02am
Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan has addressed criticism surrounding his latest series, Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, praising those who understand and appreciate his work while encouraging filmmakers to stay true to their vision.
Reflecting on his career, Afolayan recalled past critiques of films like Irapada and The Figurine, noting that despite initial skepticism, these works went on to receive international recognition and awards. He stressed that filmmakers should not be discouraged by criticism.
“As a filmmaker, don’t listen. Just keep making your films,” he said. “We make films for the intellectuals… for people who can think. I don’t expect everybody to like the film or even understand it, but the people I had in mind when conceiving the ideas, they got it.”
Afolayan also addressed viewers who have prematurely dismissed the series, explaining that only a few episodes have been released so far. “What you have seen are just a few of the episodes. How do you conclude it’s not good when you haven’t even seen the entire thing? Series like Game of Thrones release episodes weekly, patience and context matter.”
He praised scholars, professors, and thinkers who have engaged with the series and reiterated its global reach. “Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens is still streaming on Netflix in over 100 countries, and we are working to make it available in non-English speaking countries as well. Catch it now.”
Afolayan’s comments underscore his commitment to creating thought-provoking, literary-driven cinema that appeals to viewers who appreciate depth and narrative complexity.
