Kunle Afolayan draws social media backlash after calling critics of Aníkúlápó Season 2 senseless and unintelligent
Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has come under heavy criticism on social media after responding sharply to negative reviews of his latest project, Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens, the second season of the popular series Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre.
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The series, released on Netflix on January 30, 2026, received mixed reactions from fans and viewers.
Many expressed disappointment, claiming the sequel did not meet expectations.
Influencer Wizarab described the season as “a waste of time, insult to mental investment, and complete nonsense.”
In a video responding to the criticism, Afolayan labelled his detractors as lacking “common sense” and said that feedback from what he called “intellectuals” was what mattered most.
His remarks, however, were widely perceived as condescending and dismissive of both fair and critical reviews.
Several movie lovers on social media argued that Afolayan’s comments undermined the opinions of ordinary viewers who simply expected a stronger sequel.
One user, @Letter_to_Jack, wrote that calling work “only meant for intellectuals” is dismissive and alienates casual audiences.
Critics and fans also drew comparisons to other celebrated filmmakers, noting that award-winning creators such as Baba Tunde Kelani never labelled their works as “intellectual” to validate their artistry.
Social media users highlighted that great storytelling can resonate with both casual viewers and critical audiences without requiring such distinctions.
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Despite the backlash, Afolayan has maintained that positive feedback from certain audiences validates his creative choices, though the online debate continues to highlight tensions between filmmakers and viewers in Nigeria’s streaming era.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
