Movie review: Peter Sedufia’s ‘One Night Guests’

Peter Sedufia’s much-acclaimed holiday comedy, One Night Guests, premiered at cinemas across Ghana and Nigeria to enthusiastic audiences.

Large crowds lined up to purchase tickets for the highly publicised release from the celebrated Ghanaian director.

Sedufia has built a reputation for masterful storytelling, a strong command of the comedy genre, and meticulous attention to dialogue and character development. His previous works, including Keteke, Sidechic Gang, and Aloe Vera, showed these qualities. These traits drew audiences to One Night Guests, and they were rewarded with a delightful experience.

I joined the eager crowd at the Silverbird Cinemas at the Accra Mall on Christmas Day to witness the opening night. The film’s engaging narrative follows Olumide, a wealthy father with a heartwarming tradition of hiring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and an elf to brighten his daughter’s Christmas. However, this year’s celebration takes a chaotic twist when two different trios show up at Olumide’s home, each claiming to be the official holiday characters. What unfolds is a hilarious yet touching exploration of identity, privilege, and the true meaning of family.

As the story progresses, Olumide embarks on a transformative journey, learning the value of empathy and the joy found in unexpected connections. Sedufia’s well-crafted plot, coupled with a stellar cast and sharp dialogue, creates an experience that resonates deeply with audiences. The story begins steadily, gradually building in action, comedic chaos, and emotional depth before reaching a satisfying climax where all loose ends are tied.

The film features an impressive ensemble of top talents from Ghana and Nigeria, including Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo, Yvonne Okoro, Majid Michel, Roselyn Ngissah, James Gardiner, Lasisi Elenu, Warri Pikin, and Akah Nnani. Their collective on-screen charisma and performance leave audiences thoroughly entertained while effectively delivering the film’s heartfelt message.

Filmed entirely on location in Lagos, One Night Guests is produced by Chris Odey, directed by Peter Sedufia, and distributed by Gravel Road Studios, capturing the vibrant energy of the city and adding to the festive appeal of the story. This production is a collaborative effort between OldFilm Productions (Ghana), Sozo Films (Nigeria), and Gravel Road Studios (South Africa), highlighting the strength of African partnerships in filmmaking.

One Night Guests premiered simultaneously in cinemas across Ghana and Nigeria on Christmas Day 2024 and will continue showing throughout the holiday season. The film provides a shared cinematic experience that bridges cultures and audiences.

For Ghanaian families seeking a delightful movie outing this holiday period, I highly recommend One Night Guests. It is currently showing at Silverbird Cinemas (Accra Mall and West Hills Mall), Ozone Cinemas (Oyarifa Mall), Golden Eagle Cinema (Kumasi City Mall), and Royal View Cinema (SG Mall, Kumasi). Showtimes are available at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm, with tickets priced at GHC 150.

Sedufia and his team have once again delivered a cinematic gem, and I am confident that audiences will thoroughly enjoy this latest offering from his creative stables.