Veteran actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has been on a press run for her directorial debut for her movie ‘Mother’s Love’. The trailer was recently released, and we were once again reminded of the importance of a good movie trailer; it can break or make a movie.
A good movie trailer is how you pack people into the cinemas, but hers exposed a flaw in the plot and a major blunder. 
The Biggest Blunder
Many people online feel like the story is not as groundbreaking as you would expect for her directorial debut. But there was even something more sinister that happened; on the movie poster, it was said that it was part of a Toronto Film Festival official selection. The truth? It wasn’t; it was an independent screening for members of the press. Why put it on the poster? To add credibility to the movie?
The Minor Plot Issue
The story seems to be about her daughter pursuing freedom by choosing to participate in Nigeria’s NYSC (you needed to see her excitement when she found out she was going to camp). She meets a poor boy during camp and wants to leave the comfort of her parents’ house to go to the slum of Makoko.
The premise that love means suffering or poverty and love are intertwined seems quite dated.
The story falls flat; it feels contrived, and many people spoke about how even YouTube filmmakers can’t come up with such a shallow story.
Plus, a thriller-like beat was playing as the trailer rolled on, and we had to wonder: is this a love story or a murder mystery? How can a girl who seeks freedom think that moving to the slums of Makoko is the way to go?
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The Press Run
She started her press run by criticising filmmakers who dance to promote their movies, and people were like, ‘Can you promote your movie without bringing others down?’
She also mentioned her husband was so secure, he let her receive a car as a gift from another man.
The marketing has gotten off on the wrong foot, but at least we are talking about the movie, and, as they say, no publicity is bad publicity.
The movie stars Ifeanyi Kalu, Olumide Oworu, Noray Nehita and many others, and it premieres on March 6, 2026.
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