Film Review: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos
There’s bold. And then there’s The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — a film that struts onto the screen, grabs you by the collar, and dares you not to look away.
Premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, this debut feature from Nigeria’s Agbajowo Collective is ambitious in every sense. It’s part folklore, part political resistance, part dreamscape — all anchored in the chaos, soul, and contradictions of Lagos.
The Queen Rises
The Vagabond Queen is more myth than mortal — a defiant figure who rises from the rubble of a community facing demolition. But don’t expect a clean hero narrative. This queen doesn’t wear a cape; she wears scars, symbols, and the weight of generations. She’s fierce, flawed, and often more spirit than person, a symbol of what happens when the city forgets its people.
It’s a fresh concept, and when it works, it really works — especially when it leans into its roots in African spiritual cosmology and real-world activism. The story hits hardest when it lets Lagos speak for itself — loud, layered, and endlessly alive.
Visuals & Vibes
This film is a visual protest. From the street-level realism to surreal dream sequences dripping with metaphor, Vagabond Queen never plays it safe. The production design stretches every naira, creating something that feels handmade but never cheap.
The costume and styling are standouts — regal and riot-ready, echoing the duality of the character herself. But there are moments when the visuals feel stronger than the story, like the filmmakers were more sure of the message than how best to deliver it.
What Lands — And What Doesn’t
Here’s the thing: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen is more about emotion than precision. It’s intentionally messy, abstract, and at times disorienting — which makes sense, given the subject. But that also means pacing suffers. There are stretches where the film meanders, with symbolism taking over where dialogue or structure might have added clarity.
This is not a film for everyone. Some viewers will fall in love with its unapologetic art-house energy. Others might feel it leans too far into experimental territory and leaves story coherence behind. Both are valid takes.
Verdict
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos is an important debut that swings big. It doesn’t always hit — but when it does, it shakes something loose. It’s the kind of film you talk about after, argue about, think about. And that alone makes it worth watching.
Watch it if: You’re into genre-defying cinema, urban folklore, and powerful visuals.
Skip it if: You want a clear-cut plot or conventional pacing.
Where to Watch in Nairobi:
The film is currently screening at Unseen Cinema Nairobi until April 29, 2025. It is also set to be featured at Nollywood Film Week in Paris.
—
🖋 Reviewed by the iN NAIROBI team
📍More bold African cinema reviews and deep dives on innairobi.com
Get your tickets here.,
For more follow @in.nairobi on IG and TIKTOK