Issuu

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THE

STORYTELLERS

Nigerians Changing How The World Sees Africa

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

PAGE 2

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

CONTENT

EDITOR’S NOTE

13 WELLNESS Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

14 HEALTH

tories have always helped us understand who we are. Long before Nigerian creatives reached global audiences through streaming and social media, our stories lived in music, theatre, literature, oral traditions and everyday conversations. They preserved our history, celebrated our culture and gave generations a way to make sense of life. Today, Nigerian storytelling is more diverse and influential than ever. Filmmakers, writers, musicians, comedians, digital creators and visual artists are capturing our humour, contradictions, struggles, traditions and ambitions in ways that resonate far beyond our borders. As our creative voices continue to gain global attention, their work is becoming an important part of our cultural archive. They are shaping conversations about who we are, where we come from and how we are seen. In this issue, we celebrate the storytellers expanding the Nigerian narrative and reminding us that our stories matter. Read our cover story on pages 8 to 10. Jeans are a wardrobe staple for good reason: comfortable, versatile and effortlessly stylish. But wearing the same pair the same way can feel repetitive. Before buying another pair, try switching up your tops, shoes or jackets. Our fashion pages show you simple ways to give your favourite jeans a fresh new look. Scroll to pages 4 and 5 for this. Have you ever left a conversation feeling completely drained, or spent time with someone who instantly lifted your mood? The people around us can quietly shape our energy, outlook and well-being. This issue’s wellness page explores the importance of recognising how our social circles influence us and choosing relationships that nourish, rather than deplete. You’ll find this on page 13. Until next week, enjoy your read.

15 CULTURE 04-05 FASHION

#UNSHAKABLE TRUTHS

8-10 COVER

11 LUXURY SILK

BEAUTY

Different Ways to Pair Your Jeans

Untold Truths One Parent Does Not Mean Half a Family The Storytellers Nigerians Changing How The World Sees Africa Someone Else Knew Where to Spend and Save in Your Beauty Routine

Good Energy How the People Around You Can Change Your Mood Doomscrolling How Bad News Affects the Brain Managing a Relationship is Not the Same as Being in One

DÉCOR

5 Details That Might Be Missing in Your Bedroom

17 CAREER

The New Professional What Employers Actually Expect Today

18 BON APPÉTIT 19

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

REVIEW

Mocktail Hour Fun Alcohol-Free Drinks for Every Occasion

Just Friends

Coyote vs Acme

WHAT YOU SAID Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm

- Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

Onah

Issue No. 291 • September 6, 2026

OKE MADUEWESI On 15 Years of Zaron and Building a Legacy

INSTAGRAM

@queendija80

@onahluciaa +2348033239132

AUSTYN OGANNAH

Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind - Contributing Writer Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.

@poweide

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Writers:Dorcas Akintoye, Johnson Chukwueke & Evi-Ben Ezaga Design & Layout: Hogan Effiom Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun, Victoria Dairo & Olamide Abolarin Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown 254 Remi Fani-Kayode Avenue, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888

Ada Obiajunwa @aaddaahh - Contributing Writer Ada Obiajunwa writes from Lagos about the big truths tucked inside ordinary moments — friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. She believes in the power of presence, good banter, and decoding the unsaid. Through her fragrance studio, WhiffWonders, she also crafts scents that weave memory and emotion into experiences that feel like home.

@bukkytheprexpert fantastic cover

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Issue No. ISSUE NO.292 261••September FEBRUARY13, 08,2026 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

DIFFERENT WAYS TO PAIR YOUR JEANS PAGE 4

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

eans are comfortable, easy to style, and can work for different occasions. However, wearing the same pair of jeans the same way every time can become boring. The good news is that you do not need to buy another pair to create a new look. Changing your top, shoes, or jacket can make the same jeans look different. Here are four ways to wear a pair of jeans.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

FASHION

PAIR WITH A T-SHIRT Pairing a T-shirt and jea ns is one of the easiest combinations you can we ar. Wear your jeans with a plain white, black, grey, or coloured T-shirt.Tuck the front of your shirt into yo ur jeans to give the outfit mo re shape. Add sneakers for a polished look, or switch to sandals or flats for a mo re casual look.

ADD A BLAZER A blazer is one of the easiest ways to dress up a pair of jeans. It adds structure and makes simple jeans look more polished.Wear a basic T-shirt, tank top, or blouse underneath the blazer. A black, cream, grey, or brown blazer is easy to match with different jeans.Wear sneakers for a smart-casual look or choose heels or loafers when you want to look more dressed up.

WEAR WITH A BUTTON-DOWN SHIRT A button-down sh irt can instantly make yo ur jeans look smarter. A whi te shirt is an easy choice, bu t you can also try a striped, coloured, or patterned one.Tu ck the shirt into your jean s for a clean look or leav e it slightly loose for a relaxe d style. Rolling up the sle eves can also make the ou tfit feel less formal. Add lo afers, flats, sandals, or clean sneakers. This combination is great for casual workday s, lunch dates, or days whe n you want to look put to gether.

WEAR WITH A BLOUSE If you want your jeans to look more feminine, try wearing them with a blouse. A blouse can instantly make casual denim look softer and more elegant. Choose a simple blouse or one with details like puff sleeves, a bow, or a flattering neckline. Tucking it into your jeans can help define your waist and make the outfit look neater.

The next time you wear your favourite jeans, try wearing them in different ways. By doing this, you can refresh your everyday outfits.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

#UNSHAKABLE TRUTHS

SALLY CHIWUZIE

UNTOLD TRUTHS @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind

One Parent Does Not Mean Half a Family

hen I was deciding whether divorce was my only option, one argument followed me everywhere.

Two loving, emotionally available and engaged parents can give children enormous advantages. That seems obvious. The mistake comes when we turn that ideal into a guarantee and treat every alternative as damage.

The children.

Two parents can also create chaos. They can model contempt, resentment and emotional absence. They can remain together while teaching children that love means endurance without joy, or that appearances matter more than peace.

People did not always say it cruelly. Often, it came wrapped in concern. Children need both parents. Boys need their fathers. A broken home leaves scars. Surely two parents, however imperfectly matched, were better than one?

Meanwhile, one parent can create stability.

There were other warnings too.

Perhaps we have spent too much time counting the adults in a house and not enough time examining what those adults are actually giving the children who live there.

Single motherhood would make life harder. It might make me vulnerable. Men could see me as easy prey. One friend went further and warned that divorce might make me morally loose.

This question carries particular weight in communities where family structure is tied closely to respectability. A woman leaving can feel as though she has not simply ended a marriage but dismantled something sacred.

She later ended our friendship because she believed her husband would no longer approve of our closeness, and our children, who had been friends too, were expected to stop spending time together.

Then society watches the children.

That stayed with me. Still, the hardest question was always the children.

A difficult teenager becomes proof. A mistake becomes proof. A struggling young adult becomes proof.

What if leaving damaged them? Eventually, I had to ask another question: what would staying teach them? Children do not experience a home through statistics. They experience its atmosphere. They notice tension, resentment, silence, affection, respect and whether the adults raising them seem emotionally alive inside their own lives. At some point, I decided that my happiness mattered to theirs.

I trusted my upbringing, my values and the village around us. I trusted that love, discipline, consistency and example could live in a home without requiring two adults to share the same address.

So I took the plunge, not because I believed single Years later, I can look at the adults my children have become and allow myself a deeply parenting would be easy. It was not. There were moments when another dependable pair of hands grateful exhale. would have been wonderful. There were decisions I would have preferred to share and responsibilities I think I scored well above average. that arrived with nowhere else to land. That does not prove single-parent homes are better. It proves something less dramatic and I simply refused to accept that one parent more important. automatically meant half a family. My mantra became: nothing missing, nothing incomplete.

A two-parent home is not automatically a healthy home.

Children from two-parent homes are allowed to be complicated human beings. Children of single mothers can sometimes feel as though they are representing an entire social experiment. That is an unfair burden. My children did not need me to prove that single motherhood was wonderful. They needed me to make our home wonderful. There is a difference. Perhaps the #Unshakable truth is that one parent does not mean half a family. Children need love, security, discipline, healthy role models, dependable adults, and a place where their nervous systems can rest. Sometimes that exists inside a traditional two-parent household; sometimes it does not. Perhaps the better question is not how many parents live there. Perhaps we should ask what kind of home those children are coming home to. ‘See’ you next week.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER

THE STORYTELLERS Nigerians Changing How The World Sees Africa

BY NATO CHIMA

Wole Soyinka

tories have always shaped the way people understand themselves. Long before social media, streaming platforms and global publishing houses gave Nigerian creatives access to wider audiences, stories were passed down through music, theatre, literature, oral traditions and everyday conversations. They preserved history, challenged authority, celebrated culture, and helped communities make sense of the world around them. Today, Nigerian storytelling has taken on more forms than ever before. A filmmaker can transport audiences into forgotten periods of history. A novelist can examine the complexities of family, identity, and belonging. A musician can turn the realities of everyday life into lyrics that resonate across continents. Meanwhile, comedians, digital creators and visual artists are finding new ways to capture the humour, contradictions, struggles and extraordinary energy of being Nigerian. These storytellers do more than entertain. They hold up a mirror. Through their work, we see our families, ambitions, traditions, frustrations, relationships, and dreams reflected at us. Sometimes, the reflection is beautiful. At other times, it is uncomfortable. But that is the power of a compelling story: it can make us laugh, question, remember and, occasionally, see something familiar from an entirely different perspective. As Nigerian creativity continues to command global attention, the people telling these stories have become increasingly influential. They are shaping conversations about who we are, where we come from, and how the world sees us. Yet their impact extends beyond international recognition or commercial success. Their work contributes to a larger cultural archive, one that records the changing experiences of Nigerians across generations. In this cover story, we celebrate the writers, filmmakers, musicians, and cultural voices whose work continues to define, challenge and expand the Nigerian narrative.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Few contemporary writers have shaped conversations about Nigeria, identity, and womanhood as powerfully as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Through acclaimed works including Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and The Thing Around Your Neck, Adichie has transformed distinctly Nigerian experiences into stories with global resonance. Her fiction explores family, migration, race, love, politics, and belonging, often prompting readers to reconsider the assumptions they hold about themselves and others. Her influence, however, extends beyond literature. Her landmark ideas on feminism and the dangers of reducing people or cultures to a “single story” have generated conversations across generations and continents. Adichie represents the extraordinary power of the written word to shape cultural understanding. She has not merely told Nigerian stories to the world; she has challenged Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike to see those stories with greater complexity, humanity and nuance.

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Few Nigerians have used storytelling to interrogate society as profoundly as Wole Soyinka. Playwright, poet, novelist and essayist, Soyinka became the first African recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. His extensive body of work has explored power, injustice, freedom, tradition and the complexities of human existence. Soyinka's storytelling is deeply connected to Yoruba mythology, ritual and performance, while simultaneously engaging with political and social realities. Works such as The Lion and the Jewel, Death and the King's Horseman, The Man Died and Aké: The Years of Childhood demonstrate the breadth of a writer unwilling to separate art from the questions confronting society. For generations, Soyinka has shown that storytelling can be both creative and confrontational. His work does not always offer comfortable answers; instead, it challenges audiences to think critically about authority, culture and humanity. Within this cover story, Soyinka represents one of the foundational voices through which Nigerian experiences entered global literary conversations, and through which Nigerians have repeatedly been challenged to examine themselves.

Mo Abudu

Mo Abudu has become one of the most influential figures in African media by recognising that controlling how stories are told is as important as telling them. A media entrepreneur, producer and CEO of EbonyLife Media, she first gained widespread recognition as the creator and host of Moments with Mo, before building EbonyLife into a major platform for African entertainment. Through television and film, EbonyLife has focused on telling contemporary African stories to audiences at home and internationally. The company has produced thousands of hours of original programming and feature films while pursuing collaborations with major international studios and platforms. Abudu's significance to this cover story lies in her role as both storyteller and builder of storytelling infrastructure. She has created platforms through which African experiences can be presented on a larger scale and with greater ambition. By consistently championing stories rooted in African identities, she has helped change how Africa sees itself—and how the world sees Africa.

Nike Davies-Okundaye Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, widely known as Mama Nike, has spent decades building spaces where Nigerian art can be seen, preserved and celebrated. While she is internationally recognised as a textile artist and master of traditional Adire, her greatest contribution to this cover story lies in the cultural institutions she has created. Through the Nike Art Gallery network, with locations including Lagos, Abuja, Osogbo and Abeokuta, Davies-Okundaye has built platforms for artists and audiences to encounter Nigerian creativity. The Lagos gallery alone houses an extensive collection of artworks and has become a major cultural destination. Beyond exhibiting art, her centres have supported artistic education and helped empower generations of creatives. Her textile work remains central to her personal artistic legacy, particularly her commitment to preserving indigenous techniques and cultural knowledge. However, Mama Nike's larger achievement is that she has created spaces where countless stories can live. She is not simply telling Nigeria's cultural story herself; through her galleries, she has given thousands of other artists a place to tell theirs.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Tunde Onakoya Tunde Onakoya is best known as a chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, but his place in Nigeria's modern storytelling lies in his ability to change the narrative around possibility. Through chess, he has created opportunities for children from underserved communities while bringing their individual journeys to wider audiences. Founded in 2018, Chess in Slums Africa uses chess alongside educational and developmental programmes to support young people. Onakoya's own story—and the stories of the children he works with—challenge familiar assumptions about poverty, talent and potential. His global visibility also grew through his record-breaking chess marathons, including the officially recognised 64-hour Guinness World Record achieved in New York in 2025. For this cover story, Onakoya represents a different kind of storyteller: one who tells stories through action. By giving young people platforms, opportunities and visibility, he is helping to reshape how Nigerians see communities that are too often defined solely by their circumstances.

Kunle Afolayan Kunle Afolayan is one of the defining filmmakers of contemporary Nigerian cinema, known for bringing history, culture and imagination together on screen. As an actor, director and producer, he has built a body of work that includes The Figurine, October 1, Citation and Aníkúlápó, films that demonstrate his interest in stories rooted in Nigerian experiences. Afolayan's storytelling is particularly significant because of the worlds he recreates. Whether exploring the tensions surrounding Nigeria's independence, examining contemporary institutions or drawing from Yoruba mythology and history, he consistently reminds audiences that Nigerian stories can be visually ambitious while remaining culturally grounded. Aníkúlápó, for instance, brought a Yoruba-language period story infused with mysticism and moral complexity to a global streaming audience. In the context of this cover story, Afolayan represents a generation of filmmakers expanding how Nigerian history and culture are imagined on screen. His work invites audiences to look backwards, question the present and recognise the richness of stories that have always existed within us.

Bolanle Austen-Peters

Bolanle Austen-Peters has built her career around a powerful belief: Nigerian stories deserve grand stages. A lawyer by training, she became one of Nigeria's most influential cultural entrepreneurs through Terra Kulture and BAP Productions, creating platforms for theatre, film, art and cultural expression. Her productions have repeatedly drawn from Nigerian history, literature and cultural memory. From stage works such as Saro the Musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens and Moremi to films including 93 Days, Funmilayo RansomeKuti and House of Ga'a, Austen-Peters has demonstrated a commitment to transforming significant African stories into compelling experiences for contemporary audiences. Her contribution to The Storytellers goes beyond the stories she directs or produces. She has also helped build the spaces and institutions through which other stories can be told. Through theatre, cinema and cultural advocacy, Austen-Peters continues to make Nigerian history feel alive, accessible and relevant. In doing so, she reminds us that storytelling is not only about preserving the past; it is also about deciding how future generations will encounter it.

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

COVER C.J. “Fiery” Obasi

C.J. “Fiery” Obasi represents a bold and unconventional voice in Nigerian filmmaking. His work challenges the idea that African cinema must look or sound a particular way, choosing instead to explore mythology, spirituality and identity through visually distinctive storytelling. His acclaimed feature Mami Wata is perhaps his clearest statement of intent. The striking black-and-white film draws from West African folklore to tell a modern fable about faith, power, tradition and change. The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where its cinematography received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award. For Obasi, storytelling is also about expanding possibilities. He has spoken about the need for African filmmakers to root their work in authentic perspectives while resisting narrow definitions of what African cinema should be. Through his daring visual language and imaginative approach to indigenous mythology, Obasi is not simply telling familiar stories differently; he is encouraging audiences to imagine entirely new possibilities for Nigerian and African storytelling.

Femi Odugbemi Femi Odugbemi is one of the important forces behind the evolution of Nigerian film and television. A filmmaker, writer and content producer, his career has moved across documentaries, drama and television, reflecting his belief in the power of the camera to shape how societies understand themselves. He was a founding producer of Tinsel and has been involved in acclaimed productions including Battleground, Brethren and Gidi Blues. His documentary work has also explored Nigerian people, history and cultural life, with Bariga Boy winning the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Documentary. Beyond his own productions, Odugbemi has contributed significantly to the development of African storytelling platforms. As co-founder and executive director of the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival, he has helped champion documentary filmmaking and conversations around African narratives. Odugbemi represents the storyteller behind the lens who understands that the stories a society chooses to document can become part of its collective memory.

Asa

Bukola Elemide, known professionally as Asa, has built a remarkable career by making music that values storytelling as much as sound. The French-Nigerian singer-songwriter emerged with her self-titled debut album in 2007 and quickly distinguished herself through a sound shaped by soul, folk, pop and jazz influences. What makes Asa particularly relevant to this cover story is the intimacy of her songwriting. Across songs such as Jailer, Fire on the Mountain and Bibanke, she has explored love, social realities, personal struggles and the complexities of human emotion. Her music often asks listeners to pause and reflect rather than move to a beat. In an era increasingly driven by fast-moving musical trends, Asa has remained committed to a deeply personal artistic language. Her stories are sometimes political, sometimes emotional and often universal. Yet they carry the perspective of an artist shaped by Nigeria and her experiences beyond it. Through her music, Asa demonstrates that some of the most powerful stories are not shouted; they are sung, felt and quietly remembered.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER Lola Shoneyin Lola Shoneyin is a writer, poet, publisher and cultural activist whose influence extends beyond the books she has written. She is best known for her acclaimed novel The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, a compelling exploration of womanhood, marriage, family and the complicated lives that often exist behind closed doors. However, Shoneyin's contribution to Nigerian storytelling is also institutional. Through the Book Buzz Foundation and the Aké Arts and Book Festival, which she founded and directs, she has helped create important spaces for writers, artists, thinkers and audiences to meet, exchange ideas and celebrate African creativity. This makes her particularly significant to The Storytellers. Shoneyin tells stories herself, but she also helps create the platforms through which countless others can tell theirs. Her work demonstrates that shaping a cultural narrative requires more than producing art; it also requires building spaces where ideas, experiences and perspectives can be shared. In doing so, she continues to expand the ecosystem through which Nigerians and Africans encounter themselves and one another through stories.

Falz

Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has built a distinctive career at the intersection of music, film and social commentary. A trained lawyer, rapper and actor, he has consistently used humour, satire and sharp observation to examine contemporary Nigerian life. His music often moves beyond entertainment, addressing issues including political leadership, social inequality and the everyday frustrations of ordinary Nigerians. Songs such as This Is Nigeria demonstrated his willingness to use popular culture as a mirror, adapting satire into a direct commentary on the country's social and political realities. His acting career has further expanded his ability to tell stories through different mediums. For this cover story, Falz represents a generation of storytellers unafraid to make audiences uncomfortable while making them laugh. Whether through lyrics, film or public commentary, he captures the contradictions of modern Nigeria and transforms them into conversations. His storytelling reminds us that music can entertain while still asking difficult questions about the society in which we live.

Femi Kuti

Femi Kuti has spent decades proving that music can be both a cultural force and an instrument of social reflection. The saxophonist and singer is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, but he established his own musical identity after forming his band, Positive Force, in 1986. While his music carries the rhythmic and political spirit associated with Afrobeat, Femi has developed his own voice, using songs to address corruption, inequality, violence and the struggles facing Africans. Albums including No Place for My Dream and Stop the Hate reflect his continued engagement with social and political realities. For The Storytellers, Femi Kuti serves as the musicianwitness and commentator. His songs do not simply provide a soundtrack to Nigerian life; they confront the conditions shaping it. Across generations, he has continued the tradition of using music to challenge power and encourage audiences to examine the society around them.

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Ayobami Adebayo Ayobámi Adébáyó belongs to a generation of Nigerian writers who use fiction to explore deeply personal experiences that often reveal broader social realities. Her debut novel, Stay With Me, examines marriage, love, family and the painful pressures surrounding fertility within a Nigerian setting. The novel earned significant international recognition, including the 9mobile Prize for Literature, and has been translated into numerous languages. Her subsequent work, including A Spell of Good Things, continues her exploration of the complex ways personal lives intersect with broader social structures. For this cover story, Adebayo represents the quiet but powerful storyteller who finds meaning in the lives people often consider ordinary. Her characters confront love, loss, expectation and difficult choices, allowing readers to recognise familiar human experiences through distinctly Nigerian settings. Her work demonstrates that changing how we see ourselves does not always require grand declarations. Sometimes, it begins with a carefully told story that makes us look again at the lives, families and communities we thought we already understood.

Korty EO Korty EO represents a new generation of Nigerian storytellers who have found freedom outside traditional media. A filmmaker and digital creator, she has developed a distinctive visual language through documentaries, interviews and personal projects that explore the lives, ambitions and experiences of contemporary young Africans. Her popular series Flow With Korty takes viewers beyond carefully constructed public images, creating space for prominent personalities to discuss their journeys and experiences more candidly. Her work has also extended internationally, including directing a documentary project connected to Victoria's Secret's 2023 World Tour. What makes Korty particularly relevant to this cover story is her curiosity. Rather than simply documenting celebrity, she explores the people and stories beneath public success. Her relaxed, unconventional approach reflects how a younger generation increasingly consumes and creates media. Through digital platforms, Korty EO is demonstrating that storytelling no longer requires a traditional television studio or major production company. Sometimes, a camera, a distinctive perspective and the right questions are enough to create stories that connect with an entire generation.

Tope Oshin

Tope Oshin is one of the important creative forces behind contemporary Nigerian screen storytelling. A director, producer and filmmaker, she has an extensive career spanning television, film and documentary, giving her a significant role in shaping the stories audiences encounter on African screens. Her directing credits include productions such as Tinsel, MTV Shuga, Hotel Majestic, Hush, Castle & Castle and the feature films Journey to Self, New Money and Up North. She has also worked as a producer, using documentary filmmaking to examine the experiences of women in Nigeria's film industry. For The Storytellers, Oshin represents the often-overlooked power of the director: the person responsible for transforming words and ideas into visual experiences. Through her work across different formats and genres, she has helped bring contemporary African stories to life while demonstrating the growing influence of women behind the camera. Her career is a reminder that the people changing how we see ourselves are not always the ones standing in front of the lens.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

LUXURY SILK

ADA OBIAJUNWA @aaddaahh

SOMEONE ELSE KNEW

he checked the buttons. Seven was as far as it went.

and opened the notes on her phone anyway. A sentence would come. Then another. Her break would finish before she was ready. So, she returned. The next day. And the next. She also didn't tell anybody. If anyone asked where she went on her breaks, she would say she went upstairs. This was technically true.

The lift stopped at seven. A colleague had told Ada there was a rooftop on the eighth floor. Ada went looking for it. The lift stopped at seven. She checked the buttons. Seven was as far as it went. She got out.

This seemed sensible. After a while, Ada could sometimes tell what she would find before she opened the door.

There was one more flight of stairs. Ada climbed it. At the top was a door. She opened it. The rooftop was almost empty.

People were at their desks. Someone was on a call.

Brown tiles. White walls. A few chairs and tables. An airconditioning unit occupying one corner. Nothing had been arranged for anybody. Ada walked to the edge. Lagos was below her. The road she knew looked different from up there. Cars moved along it, smaller now. The traffic was still making noise, but it had lost some of its authority. Ada walked to another side. More buildings. Roofs. Construction. Places that ordinarily required driving to get from one to another were suddenly sitting inside the same view. She walked again. Water. Beyond the buildings, the ocean. Ada kept going until she had walked around the whole rooftop. Each edge gave her another Lagos. She stayed at one for a while, then moved to the next. The breeze caught her clothes. Her hair. Nobody came through the door. After a while, she went downstairs. The lift took her back to the office.

The day had

continued without her. The next day, Ada went back. Lift to seven. One flight up. Door. The rooftop was empty again. Soon, she began noticing when it was almost time for her break. She would finish whatever she was doing, take her phone, sometimes water, and head for the lift. Seven. Out. One flight up. Door. Sometimes she stayed for thirty minutes. Sometimes an hour. There were chairs, but Ada preferred to stand. Some days she walked around the edges again. On other days, she stayed in one place. The breeze was generous up there. Lagos continued below, still busy, still sounding like Lagos, but not quite as loudly. She was writing. She wasn't sure when that had started. Sometimes she arrived with nothing particular in mind

Some came to eat.

Voices. Someone on a phone. Once, laughter. There were afternoons when she opened it and found somebody already there.

Some sat and took calls. Others came for a smoke. Each time, the same small surprise. She adjusted. There were afternoons when she opened the door and found nobody. She liked those better. One afternoon, Ada was standing at the edge, writing on her phone. The door opened behind her. Ada turned. It was the colleague who had told her about the rooftop. Why are you here? Ada looked at him. Of all people. Without him, she wouldn't have known the place existed. He came onto the rooftop and found somewhere to settle. Ada recalibrated. It was fine. There was, after all, an entire rooftop. Her colleague stayed on his side. Ada stayed on hers. The breeze continued. After a while, she went back to writing. Her phone buzzed. A colleague downstairs wanted to know where she was. Ada typed: 8th floor. She looked at it. Deleted it. Then typed: Upstairs. She pressed send.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY WHERE TO SPEND AND SAVE IN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

uilding a beauty routine does not mean buying the most expensive product on every shelf. Some products are worth investing more in because they protect your skin or deliver better long-term results. Others do not need a big budget because many affordable options work just as well. Knowing where to spend and where to save helps you build an effective beauty routine without wasting money. Instead of following every trend, focus on products that truly matter.

SPEND ON SUNSCREEN Sunscreen is one product that is worth spending more on. It protects your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause dark spots, early wrinkles, and even skin cancer. A good sunscreen should feel comfortable, blend well, and encourage daily use. If a cheap sunscreen leaves a white cast or feels heavy, you may stop using it. Paying more for one that suits your skin can make a big difference over time.

SPEND ON SERUMS Serums contain concentrated ingredients that target specific skin concerns like acne, dryness, dullness, or fine lines. Because they contain active ingredients, quality matters. A well-formulated serum is more likely to deliver better results than a very cheap one with weak ingredients. Choose a serum based on your skin's needs instead of buying every trending product. One effective serum is often enough to improve your routine.

SPEND ON FOUNDATION If you wear makeup often, investing in a good foundation is worthwhile. A quality foundation usually blends better, lasts longer, and matches your skin tone more naturally. It also feels lighter and looks smoother throughout the day. Since foundation covers most of your face, using one that works well can improve your overall makeup look and help you feel more confident.

SAVE ON CLEANSERS You do not need an expensive cleanser to keep your skin clean. A cleanser stays on your face for only a short time before being washed away. As long as it removes dirt, oil, and makeup without making your skin feel tight or dry, it is doing its job. Many affordable cleansers work just as well as more expensive ones, making this an easy way to save money.

SAVE ON LIP BALM Lip balm is another product you can spend less on. Its main purpose is to keep your lips soft and prevent dryness. Many affordable lip balms contain simple, effective ingredients that provide excellent moisture and protection. Expensive packaging or fancy scents do not always make a lip balm work better. Choosing a budget-friendly option lets you replace it regularly without guilt.

A smart beauty routine is not about spending the most money. It is about understanding which products deserve your investment and which are affordable. When you spend wisely and save where it makes sense, you can care for your skin, enjoy better results, and stay within your budget.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

WELLNESS

Good Energy

HOW THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MOOD BY NATO CHIMA

ave you ever spent time with someone and felt completely drained afterwards, even though nothing particularly dramatic happened? On the other hand, some people can make a difficult day feel lighter simply by being around them. The truth is that the people we interact with can significantly influence our mood, energy, and general outlook. Their attitudes, conversations, and behaviours can affect how we feel, sometimes without us even realising it. As you navigate busy careers, friendships, relationships, and family life, paying attention to the energy within your social circle can be an important part of protecting your well-being.

YOUR CIRCLE CAN SHAPE YOUR THINKING The people closest to us often influence how we see ourselves and the world. Supportive friends may encourage us to take opportunities and believe in our abilities, while constantly critical people can make us second-guess ourselves. Consider the conversations you regularly have with the people around you. Do they leave you feeling inspired, respected and understood, or constantly anxious and inadequate?

NOT EVERY RELATIONSHIP SHOULD HAVE THE SAME ACCESS MOODS CAN BE CONTAGIOUS Spend enough time around someone who constantly complains, expects the worst or finds a problem in every situation, and you may notice your own mood beginning to change. Similarly, positive and enthusiastic people can make you feel more hopeful and motivated. This doesn't mean you should expect everyone around you to be happy all the time. Rather, it is worth recognising how repeated exposure to certain attitudes can influence your own emotional state.

Protecting your energy doesn't necessarily mean cutting everyone off. Some relationships simply require healthier boundaries. You may love someone while recognising that spending too much time around them affects your well-being. Learning to limit certain conversations, say no when necessary, or create some distance can help you maintain relationships without allowing them to overwhelm you.

BE MINDFUL OF THE ENERGY YOU BRING TOO

It is easy to focus on the people draining us while forgetting to consider our own impact. Are you the friend who listens, encourages, and creates a comfortable space for others? Or do your conversations always revolve around problems, criticism, and negativity? Good energy is not about pretending life is perfect. It is about being conscious of how your presence and behaviour affect other people.

CHOOSE CONNECTION OVER CONVENIENCE

As adults, we sometimes maintain relationships simply because they are familiar. We remain in old friendship groups, continue unhealthy dynamics, or spend time with people out of habit. But meaningful relationships require more than proximity and history. Make room for people who respect your boundaries, celebrate your progress, and make you feel comfortable being yourself.

The people around you may not control your happiness, but they can certainly influence your emotional environment. Being intentional about your relationships, setting healthy boundaries, and recognising your own impact on others can make a meaningful difference to your well-being. Create relationships where you can feel supported, understood, and genuinely at peace.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

HEALTH

Doomscrolling HOW BAD NEWS AFFECTS THE BRAIN

BY VICTORIA DAIRO

t often starts with a quick look at your phone. You see a disturbing headline, open the story, and then move on to another. Before long, one update becomes several, and you find yourself scrolling through negative news, upsetting stories and alarming events without really intending to. This habit, known as doomscrolling, has become increasingly common as news and social media updates remain available at any time. While being informed is important, constantly consuming negative information can affect how we think, feel, and respond to the world around us.

WHY WE KEEP SCROLLING The brain is naturally drawn to information about danger. Paying attention to potential threats helps humans recognise and respond to danger, which may explain why alarming stories can quickly capture our attention. Doomscrolling can turn this natural response into a cycle. After reading one disturbing story, a person may continue searching for more information to understand what happened or to feel prepared for what might happen next. Instead, they may encounter even more upsetting content, making it difficult to stop.

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WHEN STAYING INFORMED BECOMES OVERWHELMING

Being aware of what is happening in the world can be useful, but constant exposure to bad news may leave people feeling anxious, overwhelmed or helpless. When the brain is repeatedly presented with information about threats and negative events, it can become harder to switch off mentally. Social media can make this worse because platforms continuously recommend new content. One story can quickly lead to several others, creating the impression that negativity is everywhere.

THE EFFECT ON SLEEP AND DAILY LIFE Doomscrolling can affect everyday routines, particularly when it happens at night. Reading upsetting stories before bed can keep the mind active when it should be winding down, making it harder to relax or fall asleep. Over time, repeatedly checking negative updates can become a habit that takes attention away from work, conversations, rest and other activities.

BREAKING THE DOOMSCROLLING CYCLE

Breaking the habit does not mean completely avoiding the news. Instead, it helps to be more intentional about when and how information is consumed. Setting specific times to check the news, turning off unnecessary notifications and taking breaks from social media can create healthier boundaries. It can also help to ask yourself whether you are actually learning something useful or simply looking for the next alarming update. Recognising the difference can make it easier to put the phone down.

STAYING INFORMED WITHOUT LOSING YOUR PEACE

The goal is not to ignore difficult events or remain uninformed. Staying up to date can help people understand the world and make informed decisions. However, being informed does not require constantly consuming distressing information.

Sometimes, stepping away from the screen is necessary. Giving the brain time to rest and to read a book, and creating healthier boundaries around news and social media, can help prevent staying informed from becoming overwhelming.

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EVI-BEN EZAGA

Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

CULTURE MANAGING A RELATIONSHIP IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING IN ONE

elationships have never been easy to get into. They have always asked for patience, compromise and effort from both people. What has changed is how precisely we now name what that effort should look like: communication, emotional availability, healthy boundaries, self-awareness, conflict resolution, reassurance. The needs behind these are not new. What's new is how much structure we've built around meeting them. We are expected to know when to give space without seeming distant, and how to express what we feel without being seen as too much. The pressure doesn't stop at the relationship itself. There is a stable income, a career path, and some direction in life. None of these is unreasonable, but when stacked together, they can make dating feel like shopping from a list, as though someone has to qualify before they are allowed to be a partner. It is no longer enough to love someone; we are expected to arrive whole. Somewhere along the way, naming all of this turned being together into something to run, rather than something shared. As dating changes, people are learning to protect themselves, spotting red flags early rather than spending months hoping someone turns out to be compatible. It didn't come from nowhere; the instinct makes sense. That same carefulness shows up once you're

in it, too. We are no longer just carrying our own emotions. We are anticipating a partner's reactions before they happen, rehearsing

how to raise something before we've even raised it. Even reassurance becomes a duty. When someone's actions do not quite match their words, a partner may need to hear that the mismatch does not mean something is wrong.

There is a difference between putting effort into a relationship and feeling like the relationship itself has become the work. That difference shows up in another way too. While we have grown particular about what makes someone suitable for us, we have also grown comfortable with closeness that asks for no commitment. Someone can want the attention, the

loyalty, the jealousy, many of the things a partner offers, without agreeing to be one. The moment someone asks what they actually are, it falls apart.

A ‘situationship’ works because it takes everything a relationship feels like, without asking for what a relationship costs. Some stay because they are unsure what they want. Others stay because they are afraid of ending up alone, and have quietly decided that this, undefined and incomplete, is still better than nothing. Even that fear has a practical edge. People increasingly expect a partner to help cover the bills and ease the pressure, sometimes before anything else about the relationship has even had a chance to develop. For some, that pressure alone is enough to make them walk away early, before there is anything worth losing. Older relationships were not simpler, only differently complicated; people have always argued, doubted themselves and worried about money. The details have changed, not the difficulty. Healthy relationships require effort, and none of what we now know about emotional needs, boundaries or communication makes that any less true. They require compromise, patience and accountability. The problem is not the work itself. It is when the work becomes so constant that being together feels less like a relationship and more like a role we perform for each other. In trying to understand love better, we may have made simply being in it much harder.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

DÉCOR

5 Details That Might Be Missing in Your Bedroom A COMFORTABLE RUG A rug is a small detail that can make a big difference. It adds softness under your feet when you get out of bed. Choose a rug that fits your bedroom and matches your existing colours. It does not have to cover the whole floor. Even a rug placed under the lower part of the bed can help connect the furniture and make the space feel complete and visually balanced.

PERSONAL TOUCHES A bedroom should not look like a showroom. It should show something about the person who lives there. Add personal details, such as framed photos, artwork, books, a favourite vase, or meaningful items. These pieces make the room feel lived-in and unique. Do not fill every surface. Choose items you actually like and display them. A few thoughtful pieces can say more than many decorations.

USEFUL BEDSIDE STORAGE

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

bedroom can have a bed, wardrobe, curtains, and basic items and still feel unfinished. Sometimes, the problem is not that the room needs more furniture. It may simply be missing small details that add comfort, warmth, and personality. These details can change how the room looks and feels. Here, we highlight five details worth adding to your bedroom.

SOFT AND LAYERED LIGHTING Good lighting can make a bedroom feel calm. One ceiling light is often not enough because it can make the room look harsh at night. Add a bedside lamp, wall light, or small table lamp to create a softer glow. Using warm bulbs instead of the bright white ones might help too.

Many bedrooms are missing a simple place to keep everyday items. A bedside table or small cabinet can solve this problem. It gives you a convenient spot for your phone, glasses, books, water, or a lamp. Without storage, these things may end up on the floor or bed, making the room look messy. Choose storage that suits the space. If your bedroom is small, a narrow table, wall shelf, or floating bedside unit can provide useful storage without taking much floor space.

GREENERY Plants can bring life into a bedroom that feels dull. A small indoor plant can add colour, texture, and a fresh natural feeling. You do not need many plants. One well-placed plant on a bedside table, shelf, or empty corner may be enough. If you do not have time to care for real plants, choose a realistic artificial one. The goal is to add a natural element without making the room crowded.

Sometimes, your bedroom does not need a major makeover. Small details can make it more comfortable, attractive, and personal, and, most importantly, help turn an ordinary bedroom into a space that feels complete. PAGE 16

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

CAREER

THE NEW PROFESSIONAL What Employers Actually Expect Today INITIATIVE AND PROBLEMSOLVING THE ABILITY TO ADAPT Jobs, technologies, and workplace structures are constantly changing. An employee who refuses to learn new systems or adjust to new ways of working can quickly become less valuable. Employers increasingly appreciate professionals who can learn new tools, adapt to changing responsibilities, and remain effective when circumstances shift.

BY NATO CHIMA

he idea of a “good employee” has changed considerably. Showing up on time, completing assigned tasks, and having the right qualifications are still important, but they are no longer the complete picture. Today's workplace moves quickly, technology continues to reshape how jobs are performed, and employers increasingly expect professionals to bring more than their job description to the table. Professionals must evolve in the job market. Understanding these expectations can make the difference between simply having a job and building a sustainable career. So, beyond your degree and technical abilities, what does the modern workplace actually expect from you?

Modern employers value people who can identify problems and think beyond, “What exactly should I do?” This doesn't mean making decisions outside your authority. It means taking ownership of your responsibilities and looking for constructive ways to address challenges. If you notice an inefficient process, for example, can you suggest a better approach? Professionals who combine technical competence with practical problem-solving often become valuable members of any team.

RELIABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

DIGITAL AND AI COMPETENCE You don't need to be a programmer to work effectively in a modern workplace, but basic digital competence is no longer optional. Employers increasingly expect professionals to understand the software relevant to their roles and use digital tools efficiently. As AI becomes part of everyday work, knowing how to use it responsibly for research, organisation, analysis and productivity can also provide an advantage. The key is not simply using technology but knowing when and how to use it to improve your work.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

The ability to communicate clearly remains one of the most important workplace skills. This includes writing clear emails, participating meaningfully in meetings, providing useful updates, and communicating effectively with colleagues, clients, and managers. In hybrid and digital workplaces, where much communication happens through messages and emails, clarity has become even more important. A brilliant idea can lose its impact if nobody understands what you are trying to communicate.

Talent can get someone's attention, but reliability helps build trust. Employers want professionals who meet deadlines, follow through on commitments and take responsibility when things go wrong. Being accountable doesn't mean being perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is your willingness to acknowledge them, learn from them, and help find a solution. In a competitive workplace, being the person others can consistently depend on remains a significant advantage. The new professional is not simply someone with an impressive qualification or an excellent CV. While industries will continue to change, these qualities can help professionals remain valuable across different roles and environments.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BON APPÉTIT

MOCKTAIL HOUR FUN ALCOHOL-FREE DRINKS FOR EVERY OCCASION

great drink doesn't need alcohol to feel special. Whether you are hosting friends, planning a date night, relaxing after a long day, or simply looking for something more exciting than a bottle of soft drink, mocktails can bring colour, flavour and creativity to any occasion. The best part is that many can be made with ingredients already available in your kitchen. From fruity and refreshing combinations to creamy, indulgent blends, here are five alcohol-free drinks worth adding to your home menu.

B Y J O H N S O N CH UKWUE KE

TROPICAL SUNSET Perfect for a sunny afternoon or weekend gathering, this colourful drink brings together tropical flavours in one glass. What you need: Pineapple juice Orange juice Grenadine or hibiscus syrup Ice Orange slices for garnish Fill a glass with ice and pour in the pineapple and orange juice. Slowly add the grenadine or hibiscus syrup to create a layered effect. Garnish with an orange slice and serve immediately.

VIRGIN MOJITO A classic for a reason, the alcohol-free mojito is crisp, zesty and incredibly easy to prepare. What you need: Fresh mint leaves Lime Sugar or simple syrup Soda water Crushed ice Muddle the mint, lime, and sugar gently in a glass. Add crushed ice, pour in soda water, and stir. Garnish with extra mint and a lime wedge.

CUCUMBER LIME COOLER

When you need something light and refreshing, cucumber and lime make an excellent combination. What you need: Fresh cucumber Lime juice Soda water Simple syrup or honey Ice Mint leaves Blend or muddle a few cucumber slices with lime juice and your preferred sweetener. Pour over ice, top with soda water, and add fresh mint.

BERRY LEMON FIZZ

This bright mocktail is ideal for brunches, celebrations, and anyone who enjoys a balance of sweet and tangy flavours.

COCONUT MANGO SPLASH For something richer and more tropical, this creamy combination works beautifully for a relaxed evening or special occasion. What you need: Fresh or frozen mango Coconut milk Pineapple juice Ice A squeeze of lime Blend the mango, coconut milk, pineapple juice, ice, and lime until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a slice of mango.

What you need: Mixed berries Fresh lemon juice Simple syrup Soda water Ice Muddle the berries in a glass, add lemon juice and simple syrup, then fill the glass with ice. Top with soda water and stir gently. Mocktails prove that you don't need alcohol to create an interesting drink experience. With fresh fruits, herbs, sparkling water, and a little creativity, you can make drinks suited to almost any mood or occasion. So, the next time you are entertaining guests or simply want to treat yourself, skip the ordinary soft drink and make mocktail hour a little more exciting.

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

s e l c i n o r h c ’s y s s ca

JUST FRIENDS He hesitated, then moved the pillow. His cock was hard, thick, and pressing against the thin fabric of his boxers. For a few seconds, I just stared at him. And suddenly, everything inside me made sense. That was when I understood what had been wrong with me all day. My lady bits clenched at the sight. I felt my own wetness soaking through my panties. Femi tried to stand. "I'm sorry you walked in on this. Let me go and freshen up." I pushed him back down. "No. I can help you." He looked at me, surprised. "Are you sure?" "Watch me," I said. I pulled my top over my head, then unhooked my bra. My breasts came free with my nipples already stiff. I slid my jeans and panties down together, stepping out of them. Femi's eyes moved over my body like he was seeing me for the first time. I climbed onto his lap and straddled him. His cock was hot and hard against my thigh. I reached down, held it, and rubbed the head along my wet slit before slowly sinking down. The stretch made me moan. I had to shift my hips a few times before he fit all the way inside me. Once he was buried deep, I started moving in slow circles, grinding my clit against him with every roll. Femi gripped my waist. His breath came fast. I rode him harder, lifting and dropping, the wet sound of my pussy taking him filling the room. He thrust up to meet me, and soon we were moving together with our skin slapping. I leaned forward and kissed him, tongues sliding, while he held my ass and fucked me from below. I came first, shaking on top of him, my walls squeezing tight around his cock. He followed right after, groaning as he pumped his cum deep inside me. We stayed like that for a while, breathing hard, his cock still twitching inside me. When we finally pulled apart, I looked at him. "What about your girlfriend?" His face changed. For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely uncomfortable. "Don't worry about her." I turned toward him.

had known Femi for over six years. Six whole years of friendship, inside jokes, random arguments, late-night calls, and showing up at each other’s houses without warning.

That Saturday evening, I was restless.

I couldn't explain it. I felt warm, distracted, and strangely needy. Something inside me felt off, like my body was too aware of itself. My skin felt warm, my nipples kept brushing In university, people were convinced we against my bra in a way that made me shift in were dating. We laughed about it then. Even my seat, and there was this low, steady ache after graduation, when work and adult life between my legs that wouldn't go away. started getting in the way, somehow, we I went to his house without calling. When remained close. I pushed the door open, Femi was on the Femi had a girlfriend too. She moved to Port Harcourt about six months ago, and as far as I knew, they were fine. He never complained about her, so I never asked too many questions.

couch in just his boxers. His face changed the moment he saw me. He didn't stand up. Instead, he grabbed a pillow and covered his lap quickly. I walked closer, curious. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"How can I not worry about her?" He was silent, then he rubbed his face. "I don't know, Cassy." I laughed, but there was nothing funny about it. "You don't know?" I asked. "I didn't plan this." "Neither did I." Then, there was this silence as we looked at each other. Our six years of friendship suddenly felt different. And as I picked up my clothes from the floor, one question kept repeating itself in my head: what had we just done to our friendship?

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Issue No. 292 • September 13, 2026

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA MOVIE REVIEW:

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Coyote vs Acme products failing him in his pursuit of the Road Runner, had completed production. The studio also announced that they were scrapping the finished film for a $30 million tax write-off.

very time a megacorporation does something that is so categorically, unequivocally, indisputably, jaw-droppingly, beyond a shadow of a doubt, all-caps BAD, one has to wonder: Haven’t the idiots in charge heard of a little thing called karma? The intoxicating high of money and power must cloud a person’s mind to a degree that they can no longer sense the connection between physical reality and the laws of nature. It’s a onetrack, single-minded way of thinking, eerily reminiscent of, oh, I don’t know, a hungry coyote blindly pursuing a roadrunner. Perhaps the bigwigs at Warner Bros. have more in common with Wile E. Coyote than they realise or, even likelier, more than they’re willing to admit by drawing a straight line between a film like Coyote vs Acme and the parent company that produced it. After three years of uncertainty, the latest feature-length spinoff of the Looney Tunes franchise has finally, blessedly, reached theatres nationwide. But for most of those three years, it looked as though Coyote vs Acme might never see the light of day. In late 2023, Warner Bros. announced that the film, which sees Wile E. Coyote sue the Acme corporation after he tires off their defective PAGE 20

The egregious business decision drew instant ire from all sides. The public torched Warner Bros. online. Agents and actors cancelled meetings. Angry filmmakers left angrier voicemails. And while Warner Bros. quietly allowed the movie to be shopped to different studios, no one met their price. Finally, after two years in limbo and a tax write-down check successfully cleared, Warner Bros. offloaded the film to Ketchup Entertainment at a discount in 2025. Not only does Coyote vs Acme hitting theatres right now make Warner Bros., Paramount, and just about every other major studio pulling the strings in Hollywood look even worse; it also makes the film itself look even better. Directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch, the movie is a loving tribute to the idiosyncrasies of the Looney Tunes universe and its colourful characters, as well as a scathing takedown of megacorporations and their unsavoury operations. The film balances these two tones with aplomb, as Looney Tunes so often does. For as many sticks of dynamite as Wile E. Coyote endures, there are just as many bombs dropped on capitalist greed, suppression of dissenting voices, and the ironic injustice of the American legal system. Every hard-earned dollar put down in the name of Coyote vs Acme also goes toward ensuring that Looney Tunes, as a property, survives. Warner Bros.’ probable apprehension over how the film depicts corporations like its own is only one layer of this big, genetically modified cartoon onion. There’s also the fact that Looney Tunes, as beloved a property as it is, has some substantial mileage on it. While its many televised iterations are sturdy, with both original shows and episodic compilations running in

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syndication, the Looney Tunes films are dwindling in number. If you’re someone who just wants to read about the cartoon and doesn’t care about all those figures, here’s the brass tacks: By showing up to see Coyote vs Acme, you’ll get to show Warner Bros. that people still care about Looney Tunes and give the company a middle finger. For anyone who loves movies, cartoons, or thwarting the capitalist regime by putting power in the hands of the people with information about industrialist misdeeds, it’s a winwin-win situation. Plus, you get to see Wile E. Coyote get blown up 100 times. What could be better? For starters: The movie itself. Based on Ian Frazier’s brilliant satirical article in a 1990 issue of The New Yorker, the film expands on its original scribe’s ingenious idea, turning the trials of one Wile E. Coyote into an actual trial. After years of TNT blasts, fake desert murals, disguises and plummeting into canyons, Wile E.’s last straw is a defective pair of Acme rocket skates that, of course, malfunction and leave Wile E. blackened and fried. At his wits’ end, Wile E. catches an advertisement for the services of small-time claims attorney Kevin Avery (Will Forte), who specialises in cartoon injuries rendered by faulty Acme products. Encouraged by his plucky, bright-eyed niece and legal aid, Paige (Lana Condor), Kevin reluctantly takes on Wile E.’s case, not realising just how dogged his latest defendant is. Wile E. won’t settle — literally or figuratively. He wants to be properly compensated for his damages, going behind Kevin’s back to push the lawsuit higher up along the legal ladder and incurring the wrath of Acme’s head lawyer and Kevin’s law school rival, Buddy Crane (John Cena). But as Wile E. and Kevin begin to pull at the seams, they stumble into a larger conspiracy that goes far beyond defective products, roping in all sorts of Looney Tunes characters in unexpected, hysterical ways. Take poor Daffy Duck, living up to his namesake, spending his days painting watercolours

in the pleasant confines of a cartoon asylum. But who put him there? Kevin, Paige and Wile E. will stop at nothing to find out. The whole affair builds into a major national trial and media circus that stands to expose Acme’s misdeeds and change the way that the company, and all major corporations in America, do business. Naturally, nothing is ever quite so easy — not that ramping up the case into something so significant was in the first place. Justice demands courage and gumption. And who better to teach a down-and-out lawyer about courage and gumption than a coyote who has persevered in the face of certain failure? It’s a lesson that so many people, both kids and adults, need to learn or remember. Doing what’s right is often a thankless endeavour, but that doesn’t make it any less important. And in a culture where megacorporations are betting that the little guy (or little cartoon) will lie down and take it — or worse, actively suppress opposing voices — Coyote vs Acme is all but imperative viewing. It’s because the public didn’t turn a blind eye to Warner Bros. decision to scrap Coyote vs Acme that the film made its way into the right hands. That’s a real, tangible measure of success, available to watch live and in colour on the big screen. But if people don’t show up, all that outcry will be for nought, and the very cigar-smoking suits who tried to make the film quietly disappear will move on to their next sacrifice, their next merger, their next monopoly. It’s so sneeringly wicked that it almost seems cartoonish, doesn’t it? Good thing Coyote vs Acme reminds us just how seamlessly cartoons and real life can blend.

Rating:7.7/10