SuperNova: What exactly goes on in a child’s mind?

Sonia Irabor’s SuperNova, recently released on Prime Video, may sound modest by title, but it ventures into the landscape of a child’s mind. The film leans heavily into anxiety as its central theme, exploring how it shapes perception, and family dynamics.

Visually, the film is carefully put together. There is striking cinematography and fairly convincing sci-fi elements. While the plot itself is straightforward, it gains emotional depth through the use of flashbacks and symbolic references. That said, the portrayal of anxiety—though well-intentioned—sometimes feels overstated, slightly diluting its realism.

SYNOPSIS

Nowa Ohini, fondly called “SuperNowa,” is a quiet yet exceptionally bright 12-year-old girl already in SS2. Beneath her academic brilliance lies a struggle with anxiety that manifests as more than a passing phase—it is treated as a condition. Unknown to her family and caregivers, it’s grief that’s calling on her.

SuperNowa is a great movie for every Nigerian family. African family to be precise. The movie shines light on this rarely explored subject within the Nigerian film space, particularly when it concerns children.

STRENGTHS OF THE FILM

One of SuperNowa’s strongest assets is its simplicity. The narrative flows gently, making the film easy to settle into while still carrying emotional weight. The exclusive movie screening room was both as quiet as a whisper, and as loud as a siren. A testament of how immersive the movie is.

It thoughtfully examines themes that are often overlooked, especially within the Nigerian context. Anxiety in children is frequently misunderstood, dismissed as laziness or unseriousness, with little effort made to ask deeper questions or seek therapeutic help.

Sonia Irabor, made SuperNowa as a tool to emphasize how family as a crucial support system—imperfect but ultimately essential. This grounding perspective adds warmth and relatability, allowing the story to feel sincere and human.

Casting is another strong point. Each actor fits seamlessly into the story, contributing just the right amount of energy without overplaying their roles. Darasimi Nadi delivers a standout performance as Nowa Ohini, carrying much of the film’s emotional load with impressive instinct and restraint. Her on-screen chemistry with Nonzo Bassey, who plays her brother Junior, is particularly outstanding, portraying a believable sibling bond that anchors the film emotionally.

Supporting performances from Onyinye Odokoro and Bimbo Manuel are solid and engaging, while Carol King and Harriet Akinola further enrich the narrative with grounded, relatable portrayals.

Visually, SuperNova is aesthetically pleasing. The use of color—from room designs to costumes and sci-fi effects—works cohesively with the cinematography and color grading. The result is a visually immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. It is, at its core, a family-friendly film.

The story also briefly addresses the Nigerian education system, highlighting gaps in school care and acknowledging that children learn differently and possess varied forms of intelligence.

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WEAKNESSES OF THE FILM

The film’s most notable shortcoming lies in its conclusion. While emotionally charged, the ending feels rushed and leaves several narrative threads unresolved. Additionally, the absence of Nowa’s other siblings during key moments is noticeable. It gave room for acutely developed characters. Also, the school competition that drives the story was not taken care of properly. At the beginning it was. But later on it was more of a passive depiction. It felt rushed.

FINAL VERDICT

SuperNowa is a visually appealing and emotionally driven film that courageously addresses childhood anxiety. It’s a must watch for every home. Even if it stumbles in its execution toward the end, it’s a convincing movie.

Rating: 6/10