Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has faced intense backlash online after responding strongly to negative reviews of his latest project, Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens.
The new release, which serves as the second season of the popular Aníkúlápó series, was highly anticipated, especially by viewers who enjoyed the first instalment.
However, shortly after it premiered on Netflix on January 30, 2026, several viewers shared disappointing reactions, saying the sequel failed to meet expectations.
Among the critics was X influencer Wizarab, whose comment gained wide attention online. He wrote:
“This Season 2 of Anikulapo is a waste of time, insult to mental investment, and a complete nonsense. It was neither here nor there, and made absolutely no sense. Not every story deserves a continuation. Everyone involved should be ashamed.”
In response to the growing criticism, Afolayan released a video addressing the backlash. In the clip, he described critics of the new season as people who lacked “common sense.” He also explained that he had received positive feedback from individuals he described as “intellectuals,” noting that their opinions mattered more to him.
His response triggered fresh reactions from movie lovers, with many accusing the filmmaker of dismissing genuine feedback from fans who simply expected a stronger sequel.
One X user, @Letter_to_Jack, also weighed in on the situation, sharing his thoughts on creators who label their work as being only for intellectual audiences.
He wrote:
“Kunle himself has made interesting movies to critical acclaim in the past. He didn’t need to label those works “intellectual” before people discovered it on their own. Baba Tunde Kelani didn’t label his movies as well.”