Anticipation is building in the Nigerian film industry following the release of the official trailer for Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, a new Netflix series from acclaimed actor and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
The six-part series is a sequel to the award-winning fantasy epic Anikulapo and is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on January 30. The newly released trailer offers a glimpse into a darker, more intense chapter of the story, blending themes of power, love, betrayal, and survival.
Sharing the trailer on social media, Afolayan described the series as a continuation of a world where power comes at a steep cost. He hinted at an expanded storyline that moves beyond the Oyo Empire into foreign lands, where loyalties are tested and familiar truths are challenged. According to him, survival takes center stage in the new installment, with every character forced to confront the consequences of awakened power.
Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens follows the journey of Saro, a man who returned from death with the supernatural ability to resurrect the dead. As his power grows, Saro is drawn into increasingly dangerous territories, facing moral dilemmas and formidable enemies while struggling to stay alive in a world that both fears and desires his gift.
The series was filmed in Ghana in collaboration with the National Film Authority, reflecting a growing trend of cross-border partnerships in African filmmaking. It features a rich ensemble cast that includes Okusaga Adeoluwa, Kiekie, Antar Laniyan, and veteran actor Saidi Balogun.
Set against the cultural and historical backdrop of the Oyo Empire and its surrounding regions, the series delves deeply into questions of ambition, loyalty, and the price of power. With high production values and an expanded narrative scope, Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens is positioned as one of Netflix’s major African releases for the year.
The trailer’s release has already sparked conversations among fans and critics, heightening expectations ahead of the January 30 debut.