REVIEW: "My Sweet Star":- A Powerful Nollywood Drama Exploring Addiction, Betrayal, and Family Resilience

Introduction: The Facade of the Perfect Nollywood Drama

“MY SWEET STAR,” starring Onyii Alex and Maurice Sam, is not content to be just another family drama. Clocking in at nearly two hours, this Nollywood offering from onyiialexTV attempts to meld two potent cinematic themes: the tragic spiral of drug addiction and the crushing betrayal of a sociopathic husband. From the moment the demanding, wheelchair-bound patriarch (played by Patrick Doyle) forces his successful CEO daughter, Angie, into marriage with the seemingly decent Josh, the stage is set for a domestic tragedy.

However, the film dares to go beyond predictable melodrama, culminating in a jaw-dropping twist that reframes every scene preceding it. As a seasoned observer of African cinema, the core question is this: Does My Sweet Star achieve a poignant, resonant social commentary on dependency and greed, or does it leverage sensationalism—and technical unevenness—to drive its narrative engine? This detailed critique dissects the mechanics, performances, and moral footing of a movie designed to leave audiences breathless.

Part 1: The Anatomy of the Narrative – Technical and Structural Gaps

Pacing and the Burden of the Two-Hour Run

The film’s pacing is a characteristic mixed bag of its genre. The initial setup is efficient: we are quickly introduced to the central conflict between Angie and her demanding father, followed by the whirlwind courtship and marriage to Josh [00:04:27]. This rapid setup effectively launches the core action. However, the middle act—Angie’s slow, heartbreaking descent into addiction—becomes significantly protracted. Scenes dedicated to her erratic behavior, like the mismatched shoes [00:11:51] and the inability to help her daughter with homework [00:17:01], are repeated, sometimes bordering on the repetitive, stretching the central struggle perhaps longer than necessary for a tight narrative.

The film could have benefited from tighter editing, yet this elongation serves to underscore the father’s mounting frustration, which is crucial for the climax.

The Climax: Sensationalism vs. Foreshadowing

The ultimate plot twist—that Josh was actively and maliciously drugging Angie via juice and smoothies to gain control of the company [01:48:48]—is undeniably the film’s high point. It takes the story from domestic abuse to calculated, cold-blooded crime.

Critically, the reveal leans heavily toward sensationalism. While Maurice Sam’s performance maintains a façade of concern, there is very little specific, actionable foreshadowing that he is a chemical aggressor, rather than just an overly patient husband. The immediate switch from “doting spouse” to “cackling mastermind” during the confession scene [01:48:01] is powerful theater but weak screenwriting. The twist is executed more for maximum shock value than for seamless narrative integration.

Direction, Sound, and the Perpetual Soundtrack

Technically, the film is competent but inconsistent. The cinematography maintains clear shot compositions, necessary for television viewing, but lacks distinct visual flair. The most notable technical choice—and arguably a flaw—is the repeated, often intrusive use of the theme song, “Mama Let Me Hold Your Hand.” While the song itself is emotionally resonant, its application feels less like a thoughtful score and more like a crutch, repeatedly deployed to amplify emotion rather than letting the performances carry the weight. The over-reliance on this track ultimately diminishes the authenticity of the quieter, more harrowing scenes.

Part 2: The Heart of the Matter – Performance Critique

Onyii Alex as Angie: The Melodrama of Deterioration

Onyii Alex’s challenge was immense: chart the complete, painful destruction of a character. Her portrayal of the addicted Angie is raw and often difficult to watch. She effectively captures the physical manifestations of dependency—the constant scratching, the desperate pleas for a “fix,” and the cognitive fog [00:33:53].

However, the performance occasionally steps over the line from genuine psychological trauma into conventional Nollywood melodrama. Her tears are frequent and loud, sometimes undermining the silent agony that truly powerful addiction narratives require. That said, her scenes of confrontation, particularly the moment where she pushes her father [00:42:50], demonstrate a fierce, animalistic desperation that is genuinely chilling. Her final moment of clarity, where she realizes the depth of Josh’s evil, is her most complex and successful acting note.

Maurice Sam as Josh: The Devil in Disguise

Maurice Sam delivers a performance that demands re-watching, as the viewer must retroactively search for cracks in his caring veneer. Sam initially embodies the perfect suitor: patient, supportive of Angie’s recovery, and deferential to his father-in-law. His most insidious moments are subtle: the casual provision of juice [00:13:44] or taking over the company with calculated, feigned reluctance [00:31:35].

His full transformation in the confession scene is delivered with a chilling, cold-blooded arrogance [01:48:01]. Sam makes Josh less of a jealous villain and more of a corporate shark who views marriage and human beings merely as assets to be exploited and discarded. This calculated, almost clinical evil is the film’s definitive performance highlight.

Star (The Child) – Poignancy and Scripted Heartbreak

The performance of the young actress playing Star is vital, serving as the moral compass and the symbol of innocence lost. Her moments of emotional clarity are crucial, such as when she tearfully wishes for her mother’s health on her birthday [01:19:39], or when she rejects Angie entirely, calling her an “embarrassment” and pouring water on her [01:36:54].

While these scenes are designed to elicit maximum emotional response, they work because the actress convincingly conveys the confusion and pain of a child watching a parent dissolve. The film uses Star’s innocence effectively, making her the ultimate prize in the emotional and legal tug-of-war between the two parents.

Part 3: Thematic Tensions – Addiction and the Moral Compass

A Nuanced View on Addiction?

My Sweet Star introduces a truly complex element into the typical addiction narrative: involuntary drugging. By making Angie a victim of forced addiction rather than a self-starter, the film shifts the moral responsibility entirely onto Josh.

This choice is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows the audience to sympathize wholly with Angie. On the other, it slightly sidesteps the gritty, internal struggle often associated with addiction. The scenes of withdrawal and relapse are visceral, but the film’s resolution—Angie quickly seeking rehab after the truth is revealed and returning “healthy” [01:52:36]—feels notably accelerated. True recovery is a lifetime battle, and the film’s rapid, convenient conclusion feels like an oversight, sanitizing a devastating issue to provide a clean, satisfying ending.

The Cultural Message: Greed is the Devil

The film’s ultimate cultural commentary is a ferocious indictment of greed and marriage for economic gain. It highlights how unchecked ambition (Josh’s desire for the Lamis Construction CEO role) can lead to inhuman acts. By showcasing Josh’s manipulation of both Angie and her crippled father, the film drives home the message that material wealth, when pursued ruthlessly, destroys fundamental family bonds.

The father’s final redemption comes when he realizes his own mistake in prioritizing an arranged marriage over his daughter’s welfare, stating, “I brought this evil man into our lives” [01:44:51]. This subtle but important narrative arc suggests that the patriarch’s pressure for a “suitable match” was the original sin that paved the way for Josh’s infiltration.

A Gripping but Uneven Watch

“MY SWEET STAR” is a gripping, high-stakes drama that successfully harnesses the power of a shocking revelation to sustain its runtime. It boasts a career-defining turn from Maurice Sam as the calculating villain, whose confession will undoubtedly become a memorable scene in recent Nollywood history.

The film’s greatest strength is its willingness to take the domestic thriller genre to an unexpected, criminal extreme, fully justifying the emotional turmoil and high drama. Its greatest weakness lies in the technical inconsistencies, particularly the overly insistent soundtrack and the convenient, fast-tracked depiction of recovery.

Ultimately, My Sweet Star is a powerful, if flawed, social critique. It’s not a documentary on addiction, but a cautionary tale about the wolves in designer clothing. It earns its viral status through sensational plotting and committed lead performances.

Verdict and Call-to-Watch

If you can endure the occasional melodrama and the slightly rushed conclusion, the chilling performance by Maurice Sam and the powerful central twist make this movie essential viewing for fans of contemporary Nollywood.

Rating: …………..4/5 (Four out of Five Stars)

Watch this movie for the betrayal, stay for the breakdown. Tell us below: Did you see that twist coming?