A non-review

Admittedly, I hardly press play if the genre doesn’t scream edge-of-your-seat, but when I came across a LinkedIn post by a colleague reviewing Baby Farm, I had to give it a peek. Mo Abudu, who served as Executive Producer, is one of my all-time favourite African film execs. I’ve been following her for years, particularly the show The Spot with some of my Nigerian broadcasting faves Zainab Balogun, famed Big Brother Naija host Ebuka Obi‑Uchendu, and Lamide Akintobi. 

Baby Farm, a dark thriller/drama that premiered as a 5‑episode limited series in March 2025 on Netflix, is a product of Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife TV’s multi-title deal with Netflix, designed to amplify African content with multi‑genre, high‑quality storytelling.

As a thrill junkie, the first five seconds of Baby Farm had me gripped (no spoilers, I promise).
What I appreciated was seeing an African film dive into themes beyond the usual tropes of witchcraft or overly sentimental love stories. This was layered, dark, and socially relevant in a way that kept me invested.

What worked:

Casting:
The villain Doctor Evans, played by Langley Kirkwood, was fully in his element. The kind of performance that has you genuinely angry at your screen. He embodied his role so convincingly, it was almost uncomfortable to watch (in a good way).
The lead, Onyinye Odokoro, carried the emotional weight of the story beautifully. Her reactions felt honest, not overacted, and she brought the audience along with her fear, confusion, and strength.

Setting:
The hostel-style setup worked incredibly well. It gave off a sense of entrapment and systemised control, which suited the themes of institutionalisation and control. The confined space helped build tension and discomfort.

Cinematography:
The lighting choices were intentional and matched the mood. You could feel the coldness and detachment in some shots, while others felt raw and intense. The framing of scenes made me feel like I was right there, watching something I probably shouldn’t be seeing.

We give it a solid 4 out of 5. Definitely worth a watch.

Images c/o Netflix