Promise Me December Review: Nollywood's 2025 Christmas Romance That'll Melt Your Heart in Lagos Traffic

By NollywoodTimes.com – December 13, 2025 – (Nollywood 2025, Omoni Oboli Movies, Detola Jones Taye Arimoro)

Picture this: Lagos in December—horns blaring, Christmas lights twinkling amid go-slow traffic, Afrobeat pumping from every corner, and the air thick with jollof spice and holiday gist. Into this chaos steps Promise Me December, Omoni Oboli’s latest soulful romantic drama dropped on Omoni Oboli TV just yesterday (December 12, 2025). It’s a 2-hour vibe that swears off clichés but delivers pure Lagos love: a photographer dodging Cupid and a superstar musician ditching fame’s fake glow. Can vulnerability win when ex-drama and spotlights crash the party? Overall Rating: 8.7/10. This isn’t just a movie; it’s your next viral binge. Stream it now and tag your squad!

Meet-Cute Magic: The Spark in Lagos Chaos

The film kicks off with Tenny (Detola Jones), a fiercely independent photographer married to her camera, launching her “12 Days to Christmas” project. “December in Lagos, chaos in the streets, music everywhere,” she narrates, capturing the city’s heartbeat—love, heartbreak, laughter. Sworn off men after too many “breakfast for dinner” betrayals, Tenny’s world flips at a concert backstage. Enter Ayola (Taye Arimoro), Africa’s hottest artist, fresh off stage, dodging paparazzi like spies.

Their first clash? Electric. “Yo, there’s no paparazzi backstage,” his bouncer snaps, but Ayola pulls her aside for shots. “Bad experiences and even worse angles,” he quips. What starts as a reluctant selfie turns flirty: her boldness meets his charm. No cheesy pickup lines—just raw, Lagos-real banter. By night’s end, he’s calling her “beautiful,” and she’s fighting a smile. Mad o! This meet-cute sets the tone: fate in the fast lane, with the city as wingman.

Deep Dive: Character Development and The Chemistry Test

The film’s success hinges on its three main players.

Tenny: The Reluctant Romantic Heroine

Tenny is the emotional anchor of the film. Initially jaded by men (“I am done with men and married to my camera”), her journey is one of learning to trust an artist despite her ingrained belief that they are “wicked” and lead to self-harm. Her character arc is powerful because her hesitation feels authentic. Even when Ayola declares his feelings, her immediate response is to request slow pacing: “I barely know you, and I just… I don’t want to ruin anything”.

Her greatest strength is her self-respect, culminating in her masterful exhibition speech that avoids a direct fight with Vanessa and instead makes an eloquent point about a man seeking “peace that he can’t find with you”.

Ayola: The Superstar Seeking Substance

Ayola’s narrative is a classic celebrity fatigue story. He is tired of the acting and the “performance” of his PR relationship. His defining motivation is the pursuit of “real” connection, which he finds in Tenny. His emotional breakdown after being doubted by Tenny (“What hurts for me is the fact that you didn’t even give me an opportunity to explain my side of the story before you made a judgment”) shows a deep vulnerability and commitment. He isn’t just looking for a new girl; he’s looking for a partner who will trust him unconditionally. His willingness to throw away his career (canceling the show) underscores the depth of his desire for an authentic life.

Vanessa: The Compelling (But Cartoonish) Antagonist

Vanessa Collins is designed to embody everything Ayola is running from: control, insecurity, and the destructive nature of pure image. While her public lies (the abortion video) are compelling in their audacity and highlight the stakes of celebrity life, her character occasionally edges into caricature. However, her final, tearful confession—done out of self-preservation, not remorse—salvages her as a critique of the influencer culture that prizes image over morality.

The Chemistry Check: Worth the Risk?

The chemistry between Ayola and Tenny is excellent. It’s built not on grand gestures, but on shared, small moments—the playful teasing, the comfort in silence (e.g., Ayola sleeping on her couch), and the intellectual connection that comes from their deeper conversations on success and burden. This palpable ease justifies Ayola’s drastic changes: the love interest had to be strong enough to make him risk his empire, and the on-screen dynamic confirms she is.

Technical & Production Evaluation: Nollywood at Its Best

Cinematography and Setting

The technical aspects effectively showcase Lagos as a character. The chaotic, vibrant shots of the city, which Tenny strives to capture for her project, serve as a constant visual metaphor for Ayola’s inner life. The cinematography beautifully contrasts this with the intimacy of Tenny’s studio and home, using soft, natural lighting to create a sense of sanctuary. The visual language strongly supports the theme: bright, harsh lights for the celebrity world; warm, peaceful tones for Tenny’s world.

The Soundtrack: Narrative Gold

The film’s use of music is its secret weapon. Ayola’s original song, “Promise Me December,” is more than promotional; it is a narrative turning point. The lyrics directly reference the central conflict and his feelings for Tenny (“You set my heart on fire/Take over my December”). Performing the song publicly at the concert is his definitive, non-verbal statement—it’s his final, most authentic act of commitment, making the music integral to the plot resolution.

Costume and Design

The production design subtly reinforces the class and culture clash. Ayola and Vanessa are draped in high fashion, often looking staged. Tenny, in contrast, favors simple, chic, practical outfits. Even her car, Ajok, a sputtering, beloved relic, is a character itself, representing loyalty and resilience—a counterpoint to the Ash (the brand-new, modern car) that Ayola eventually buys her as a symbol of their new, easier future together.

Cultural and Thematic Impact

A Critique of Influencer Culture

PROMISE ME DECEMBER is a biting commentary on the toxic intersection of fame, social media, and personal relationships in contemporary Nigeria. Vanessa’s weaponization of her platform—culminating in the dramatic, televised lie about the abortion—perfectly encapsulates the stakes. The film suggests that in the age of virality, the emotional truth is always secondary to the spectacle, putting immense pressure on public figures like Ayola. It serves as a stark reminder that in this world, reputation is a fragile currency.

Trust, Timing, and the December Deadline

The December setting is not arbitrary. It’s a period of final reckoning, where promises must be kept and resolutions made before the calendar turns. The theme of trust is central. Tenny’s biggest failure is not her initial hesitation, but her quick lapse into doubt when Vanessa strikes. Ayola’s departure is a lesson for her: love requires faith, especially when dating a superstar. Their final promise is less about the holiday and more about committing to mutual trust for their collective future: “I want to spend the rest of every Christmas with you. Every single one. For the rest of my life”.

My Verdict: Do You Need to Watch This?

Yes. PROMISE ME DECEMBER delivers on its promise of a festive, high-drama, yet ultimately tender romance. It’s a gorgeous-looking, emotionally intelligent story that understands the price of fame and the reward of finding genuine connection. It succeeds by making its central pairing’s chemistry the most important factor, even above the drama that swirls around them.

Call-to-Watch: Clear your schedule, grab your festive snacks, and stream this film. It’s the perfect Nollywood blend of melodrama, music, and heart to kick off your holiday season.

What did you think of the scene where Vanessa confronted Tenny at the exhibition? Let us know in the comments!