Film
Isoken
Isoken is a Nigerian romantic comedy-drama about a 34-year-old woman caught between family pressure to marry "the right man" and her genuine connection with someone who breaks every rule. Warm-hearted and funny, it explores cultural identity and belonging through the lens of modern Lagos romance. It's for anyone who loves character-driven stories about choosing yourself while respecting where you come from.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you like romantic comedies that take family pressure seriously, with a warm, nosy ensemble and a central question about who you are allowed to love that stays with you after the credits.
Skip it if you want a tight, fast-moving rom-com; this one gives its big family set pieces room to breathe, and some of the comedy lands more softly than the drama around it.
What it asks of you: It runs about a hundred minutes and spends real time inside a crowded household, so settle in for conversation and gatherings rather than quick romantic beats.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
Fifty Shades of Grey2015
Another film about a woman navigating romance against expectations and family pressure, with the same blend of sensuality, humour, and emotional stakes wrapped in contemporary drama.
But The erotic elements are far more explicit and the tone is dramatically darker, lacking Isoken's warmth and cultural specificity.
Crazy, Stupid, Love.2011
A romantic ensemble comedy that balances multiple love stories with genuine emotional depth, exploring commitment, identity, and what we truly want from relationships.
But American setting and sensibility means it lacks the cultural texture and family dynamics that give Isoken its distinctive voice.
Notting Hill1999
A charming romantic comedy about unlikely connection across social divides, with witty banter, lovable supporting characters, and a protagonist learning to trust their instincts.
But The pace is slower and the comedy style is very British; it won't have the energy or emotional urgency of Isoken's family pressures.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Isoken
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
A Prophet2009
Both explore the central question: how do you honour your origins while staying true to your own heart? Both protagonists must choose between loyalty to their community and authenticity to themselves, navigating systems (family, institutional) that demand conformity.
A French-language drama about identity, belonging, and trust forged under pressure—exploring how we negotiate between who we are and who others expect us to be in an unforgiving environment.
But It's a prison drama with violence and moral ambiguity; nothing like Isoken's romantic comedy surface, and the atmosphere is relentlessly tense.
More like this (8)
What a Girl Wants2003
A feel-good romantic comedy about a young woman finding her voice while navigating family expectations and genuine romance, with heart and humour in equal measure.
But It's lighter and more specifically aimed at younger audiences; the stakes feel lower than Isoken's cultural identity questions.
Jumping the Broom2011
A wedding-centred comedy-drama exploring family expectations, cultural traditions, and romance across the African-American experience with warmth and ensemble cast charm.
But The tone leans more toward comedy than drama, and the exploration of cultural identity is less nuanced than Isoken's.
Love Jones1997
A stylish, sexy romantic drama set in Black professional spaces that balances sensuality with emotional intelligence and genuine connection between its leads.
But Dated aesthetic and pacing; the film prioritizes atmosphere over plot, which may feel slow-moving to some viewers.
Before Sunrise1995
An intimate romance built on genuine conversation and connection between two people, exploring whether fate and instinct matter more than practical considerations.
But Almost entirely dialogue-driven with minimal plot; if you need external conflict and action, this will feel static.
My Best Friend's Wedding1997
A comedy about a woman confronting what she actually wants versus what she thought she should want, with ensemble charm and genuine emotional beats.
But The protagonist's initial behaviour is manipulative; it takes time to warm to her journey, and the resolution feels conventional.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall2008
A romantic comedy that treats its characters as real people navigating genuine hurt and confusion, mixing laugh-out-loud moments with authentic emotional vulnerability.
But The humour is quite crude and the tone shifts between broad comedy and melancholy in ways that might feel uneven depending on your mood.
Marriage Story2019
Where Isoken asks 'will they choose each other?', Marriage Story asks 'what happens when they did choose each other and it breaks anyway?' Both are ultimately about the courage required to be honest about love—one finds hope in that honesty, the other finds grief, but both treat the question with profound respect.
An achingly honest portrait of two people who love each other but can't make it work, examining commitment, identity, and what we owe to those we choose to be with.
But This is a brutally painful separation drama, not a romance; if you're seeking lightness and resolution, this will devastate you instead.
Die Hard1988
Both are recent Nigerian films about women resisting cultural scripts around marriage and family duty, using comedy to explore serious questions about autonomy and identity. Poko is essentially Isoken's darker cousin—the same pressure, but a protagonist who refuses to compromise or seek compromise.
A Nigerian comedy-drama about a woman pursuing her own path against overwhelming family pressure, told with indigenous humour and deeply rooted cultural specificity that mirrors Isoken's world.
But It's harder to find outside Nigeria; the humour is very locally specific, which may not translate if you're unfamiliar with Yoruba cultural references.
People
Cast
Directing
- Jadesola OsiberuDirector
Writing
- Jadesola OsiberuWriter