By: Lawal Usman
The film, Seven Doors is a Nigerian epic drama series directed by Femi Adebayo, who played a lead role in the blockbuster movie. It was released on December 13, 2024, on Netflix. The film opens with seven women walking along a secluded path leading to a waterfall. Upon reaching the cliff, they meet a tragic end, deliberately jumping to their deaths, one after another.
This haunting scene symbolizes a sacrificial ritual meant to appease deities or ancestral spirits. It is later revealed that this offering was masterminded by King Adejuwon, who, in a desperate bid to ascend the throne of Ilara, assassinated his own brother. Following his coronation, an oracle reveals a prophecy limiting his reign to just five years.
Determined to extend his rule, Adejuwon seeks the counsel of Esusu, an exiled and vicious herbalist. Esusu proposes a grim solution: the sacrifice of Adejuwon’s seven wives, transferring their remaining years to the king to prolong his life and reign.
After sacrificing his wives to the malevolent spirit Esusu, King Adejuwon does indeed achieve longevity, living beyond 100 years. However, his extended life is plagued by chronic illness and suffering, rendering his reign ineffective and filled with misery. Instead of enjoying the power he fought for, he becomes a lonely and tormented ruler.
Upon realizing that his quest for immortality has condemned him to a life of endless pain, King Adejuwon confronts Esusu, feeling betrayed by the outcome of their agreement. In retaliation, he exiles Esusu from the kingdom of Ilara, blaming him for the misfortunes that followed the ritual sacrifice.
However, Esusu, harboring deep resentment, seeks vengeance against the royal lineage of Ilara. His return to the kingdom unleashes a wave of calamities, as he casts a plague of evil upon the land, ensuring that the sins of the past haunt the generations to come.
Lessons for Nigerian Society
1. The Dangers of Ritual Killings for Wealth: The film serves as a cautionary tale against the rising trend of ritual killings for financial gain. Just like Adejuwon’s fate, quick wealth obtained through bloodshed only brings suffering.
2. Power Should Be Earned, Not Stolen: Adejuwon’s downfall highlights that leadership gained through deception and murder is never sustainable. True power comes from wisdom, service, and integrity.
3. Actions Have Consequences: The idea that one’s sins can haunt future generations serves as a warning about the lasting effects of immoral choices. Many young people seeking shortcuts to wealth fail to realize that such choices often lead to ruin.
4. Beware of Shortcuts to Success: Many youths in Nigeria seek quick riches through harmful means, not realizing that these choices often lead to irreversible destruction. Just as Adejuwon sought immortality and ended up cursed, those who engage in rituals and fraud often face tragic ends.
5. Spiritual Manipulation and False Promises: The film warns against placing blind faith in individuals who promise wealth and power through dark means, as such agreements often come with hidden costs. Many who seek help from spiritualists end up trapped in situations worse than they imagined.
6. True Wealth Comes from Hard Work and Integrity: Instead of looking for quick fixes, young people should be encouraged to work hard, develop their talents, and pursue success through honest means.
7. The Value of Life Over Material Gain: The story reminds us that no amount of wealth is worth sacrificing human lives. In a society where ritual killings are on the rise, this message is especially crucial.
Nigerian youths shouldn’t just watch Seven Doors as mere entertainment but as a story with deep lessons about life and choices. The film reflects the reality of people chasing wealth and power by any means, only to face the consequences of their actions. It serves as a reminder that greed comes at a cost and that every decision we make shapes our future. More than just an epic drama, Seven Doors holds up a mirror to society, urging us to think about the kind of legacy we want to leave behind.
This article is published as part of the writer’s internship with Nollywire, facilitated by the National Association of Campus Journalists(NACJ), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.