The Serpent’s Gift Beats Afamefuna to Become Highest Grossing South East Indigenous Film of All Time

Nollywood has a new box office record-breaker. The Serpent’s Gift, directed by Kayode Kasum, has grossed an impressive ₦62.9 million, making it the highest-grossing South East indigenous film of all time. The film overtakes Kasum’s own 2023 release, Afamefuna, which explored the Nwa-Boi tradition and stood as one of the top-rated Nollywood movies of its year.

Released nationwide on August 29, 2025, The Serpent’s Gift adds to Kasum’s growing catalogue of Igbo-centered stories. Written by Stephen Okonkwo and Ufoma Metitiri, the feature has received a Nolly Critic rating of 4/5, cementing its status as both a critical and commercial success.

The story follows Ijeoma Sylvanus (Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman), a woman caught in a brutal inheritance war after the death of her wealthy husband. What begins as grief quickly spirals into a struggle for power, riddled with betrayal, ambition, and the darker sides of tradition.

The cast brings the drama to life with standout performances from Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman as Ijeoma, Stan Nze, Tina Mba, Daniel Etim Effiong, Beverly Osu, Ric Hassani, Chico Aligwekwe, Tracey George, Inem King, and Uche Chika Elumelu.

Produced by Wuproductions, Ethnocentrique, MTN, Verve, and Nile Entertainment, The Serpent’s Gift has resonated with audiences for its authenticity, layered storytelling, and rich portrayal of Igbo culture.

As it continues its run in cinemas nationwide, the film not only celebrates box office success but also signals a growing demand for indigenous-language and culture-focused Nollywood stories.

The Serpent’s Gift is still showing across Nigeria.