Three sisters, a dead man and a bag full of dollars. That is the setup of Sugar Rush, a Nollywood comedy released in December 2019. The Sugar sisters, struggling to get by in Lagos, stumble on a fortune and decide to keep it. Their choice leads to chases, lies and run-ins with criminals and anti-graft agents. The film’s mix of action and comedy made it one of the hits of that holiday season.
The makers, the sisters and the story
Sugar Rush was directed by Kayode Kasum and produced by Jade Osiberu, whose company had earlier made Isoken. The team aimed for a slick, fast-paced comedy. Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Bisola Aiyeola and Bimbo Ademoye play the three Sugar sisters. Their chemistry and comic timing were widely praised. The film also features a supporting cast of familiar Nollywood faces, playing the criminals, agents and hangers-on who complicate the sisters’ plans.
After finding the money, the sisters try to hide it and spend it without attracting attention. Their plans unravel as dangerous people come looking for the cash.
Release, box office and Bimbo Ademoye
Released during the festive season, when Nigerian cinemas are at their busiest, the film drew large audiences. Sugar Rush was among the highest-grossing Nigerian films of its year. The film borrowed from Hollywood heist comedies while keeping its Lagos setting and humour. Bimbo Ademoye’s performance as the youngest sister brought her wider attention and more leading roles.
The film later reached a wider audience through streaming platforms. The film moves through Lagos locations from modest homes to luxury apartments, mirroring the sisters’ sudden change in fortune. The contrast between where they start and where they end up is one of the film’s running jokes.
Women at the centre
Heist comedies usually centre on men. Sugar Rush put three women in charge of the chaos, and their bickering, loyalty and bad decisions drive the story from start to finish. The film added to Jade Osiberu’s reputation as one of the most commercially successful producers in new Nollywood. Her later work continued to target cinema and streaming audiences.
Sugar Rush asked what three broke sisters would do with a stolen fortune. Nigerian cinema audiences, it turned out, were happy to spend their own money finding out.
