Award-winning actress Kehinde Bankole has opened up about the emotional weight of portraying a mother battling postpartum depression and psychosis in the newly released Nigerian film Out in the Darkness.
In a recent interview, Kehinde described her experience playing Boluwatife (Bolu)—a woman descending into mental illness after childbirth—as emotionally taxing and deeply sad.
“How do I feel playing Bolu? I feel heavy, very heavy. This is my day one playing Bolu and I feel sad, very sad. Bolu’s life is a turmoil,” she shared.
“It is a very sensitive topic.”
Directed by Stella Kwaji, Out in the Darkness explores the cultural misconceptions and stigma surrounding maternal mental health in Nigeria. The film follows Bolu’s harrowing journey as her condition is misunderstood by healthcare professionals and dismissed by her family as a spiritual attack.
A Groundbreaking Film on Maternal Mental Health
Premiered at NollywoodWeek Paris and now showing in Nigerian cinemas from July 4, the film has been praised for tackling postpartum psychosis—a topic rarely discussed in Nigerian cinema.
The movie features a star-studded cast including Deyemi Okanlawon, Bimbo Akintola, Tina Mba, Jide Kosoko, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, and Jennifer Eliogu.
Deyemi Okanlawon Praises Kehinde’s Performance
Deyemi Okanlawon, who plays Kehinde’s on-screen husband, commended her intense performance and the film’s emotional depth.
“Out in the Darkness is one of many of Kehinde Bankole’s spectacular performances. I think she’s brilliant, and she makes me look good,” he said.
As a father of three, Deyemi added a personal note:
“I’ve seen what motherhood can do to a woman’s body and mind. My wife went through it. And for a husband, it’s hard. They need you to be kind, to be patient.”
A Wake-Up Call for Nigerian Society
Out in the Darkness shines a spotlight on the urgency of mental health awareness, especially among new mothers. The film has been hailed for its bold storytelling and raw emotional performances, serving as both entertainment and education for audiences.
