Dreamers
Nigerian refugee Isio (Ronke Adekoluejo) arrives at a women’s shelter while applying for asylum in writer-director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s Dreamers. Her assigned roommate is Farah (Ann Akinjirin), who offers to show her the ropes and guide her through the legal process. A friendship blossoms between them, which then turns into something more in this poignant drama. However, an abrupt shift in direction towards the final act consequently leads to a rushed and messy conclusion.
The shelter Isio finds herself in is all but a prison in name. She’s forced to hand over her valuables upon entry, she’s given new clothes to change into, and is told she won’t be able to access social media. The women congregate in a cramped yard constantly watched by guards and cameras, and any of them can be deported without warning. Isolated from the outside world, the shelter has a distinct sense of place that gives the impression that these women are in a state of limbo, just waiting for the day the guards come to take them away.
In contrast to this oppressive environment, the burgeoning romance between the newly acquainted roommates becomes a welcoming beacon of hope that things can get better. Adekoluejo and Akinjirin are marvellous together. They exude a tenderness that enables viewers to fully empathise with their situation. This is further evoked through Gharoro-Akpojotor’s dreamlike editing style, which gives their romance scenes an ethereal quality. The reason for Isio fleeing her home adds a whole other layer to their relationship. Although she’s essentially a prisoner, being with Farah is the freest she’s been.
A sudden story beat comes as a devastating blow towards the final act. Its impact has a massive effect on Isio, who’s left grappling with the aftermath. Now more aware of the reality of her situation, she takes a new arrival under her wing, mirroring an earlier scene. Meanwhile, Isio and her close-knit group of friends hatch a scheme to take back control of their lives. While an intriguing direction for the script to take, the roughly 30 minutes of remaining runtime isn’t enough to fully explore what should have been the bulk of the narrative.
Despite stumbling towards the end, Gharoro-Akpojotor has nevertheless created a moving tale of female empowerment in this heartfelt feature.
Andrew Murray
Dreamers is released nationwide on 5th December 2025.
Watch the trailer for Dreamers here:
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