We’ve seen nearly every iteration of meeting one’s parents that could possibly exist from Meet the Parents (2000) to Ready or Not (2019) and Get Out (2017), so when audiences get another family-gathering thriller, they typically know what they’re getting themselves into. While director Daniel Emeke Oriahi (When Perfect Feels Wrong) never gives any visual cues throughout his feature, The Weekend, as to what is going to happen or go down, the trio of writers, consisting of Freddie O. Anyaegbunam Jr (The Encounter), Vanessa Kanu (Sylvia), and Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy (The One for Sarah), do their best to ensure the audience never sees what’s coming.
L-R: Bucci Franklin as Luke and Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Nikya in THE WEEKEND. Photo Credit: Kagho Idhebor. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
The Weekend focuses on Nikiya (Uzoamaka Aniunoh) and her long-term partner Luke (Bucci Franklin) and things are progressing incredibly well, except for the fact that he is always cagey and defensive about his family — people she’s never met, and who he never wants to talk about. He ends every conversation about them and refuses to talk about them in any way, shape, or form throughout their relationship. However, Nikiya doesn’t understand this cagey behavior as she is an orphan herself, and when she discovers she’s pregnant, she lays down an ultimatum to Luke, introduce her to his family or he can lose their family.
A scene from THE WEEKEND. Photo Credit: Kagho Idhebor. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
Luke begrudgingly agrees and they’re off to meet his family. Immediately, right out of the gate, things are off to a rocky start. Upon trying to arrive at the family’s compound, Nikya and Luke are met with two massive armed guards who appear to be making casually threatening remarks rather than the jokes they’re playing them off as. However, Luke shows the men who he is through a marking on his body and they immediately back down, making Nikya think Luke is important, but the audience is clued into the fact that importance may not always be a good thing in this scenario.
Nikya first meets Omicha (Gloria Anozie-Young), Luke’s mother, and gets off splendidly. Same with his father, Meki (Keppy Ekpenyoung Bassey), and even his sister, Kama (Meg Otanwa), who makes Nikya feel like she’s always been a part of the family. The only person Nikya really has an issue with is Kama’s boyfriend, Zeido (James Gardiner), but anyone with a pulse would truly have a problem with him; he truly is reprehensible.
What works for The Weekend the most are the direction and the script brought to us by the talented crew. They craft and tell a story that leaves the audience guessing until the final moments, but then leaves our jaws rightfully on the floor. While the decisions that are made in the third act are rather baffling, there is almost some form of understanding to them in the long run, in a sense.
What also shines bright in The Weekend are the performances. While they’re all particularly good, Aniunoh (Mami Wata) and Franklin (The One for Sarah) with Anozie-Young (Love, Lust & Other Thngs) and Bassey (Praise Party), are the standouts. Their performances make the audience believe the decisions they make for themselves, for their families, and for the overall good of everyone, and ground the film in a way that didn’t seem otherwise plausible. They all shine in their roles and make The Weekend a destination more than just a getaway.
L-R: Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey as Meki, Gloria Anozie-Young as Omicha, Bucci Franklin as Luke, and Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Nikya in THE WEEKEND. Photo Credit: Kagho Idhebor. Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
Overall, The Weekend boasts strong performances and gives audiences another meeting-the-parents-with-a-twist type movie for the books. However, it’s third act, while completely insane, leaves a little to be desired and, unfortunately, does not stick the landing. While the journey to The Weekend is always the most strenuous, the conclusion may be the most baffling, even if understood.
Screening during Tribeca Film Festival 2024.
For more information, head to the official Tribeca 2024 The Weekend webpage.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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