The award-winning director Kunle Afolayan has responded to reactions surrounding his newly released Netflix series Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, explaining that his storytelling is intentionally crafted for audiences who appreciate depth, culture, and layered narratives.
Speaking in a video shared on Instagram, Afolayan made his creative philosophy clear.
“I make films for thinkers.”
He explained that he is not focused on pleasing everyone but rather on telling meaningful stories that reward patience and thoughtful engagement.
“I don’t make films to please everybody. I make films for people who are willing to think deeply and follow the story. From Irapada to The Figurine, I’ve faced criticism before, but with time, people began to understand the vision.”
According to him, complex storytelling cannot always be judged instantly, especially in series that unfold gradually.
“You can’t judge a layered story after one episode because some stories require patience. This season introduces new characters and new directions, and it takes time to see where it’s all going.”
While appreciating viewers who connect with his style, Afolayan acknowledged that different opinions are part of filmmaking.
“I appreciate those who understand my style of storytelling. Not everyone will connect with it, and that’s fine.”
The respected filmmaker also noted that criticism is natural whenever creative work explores new directions, adding that storytelling invites interpretation, and audiences are free to respond differently.
Afolayan’s Anikulapo franchise has continued to grow since the original 2022 epic film debuted on Netflix and achieved global success. The movie topped Netflix’s worldwide non-English film chart at the time, helping expand the global reach of Yoruba-language storytelling.
The follow-up series, Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens, released on January 30, 2026, has also made a strong impact. Within 24 hours, it climbed to No. 1 on Netflix Nigeria, showing powerful local interest.
Now streaming in over 100 countries, the series continues Afolayan’s mission to bring African stories to global audiences on his own creative terms.