Nse Ikpe-Etim
Overview
Their life as luxury escorts offered these women glamour, money and a chance to reinvent themselves…until a murder and a robbery ruined everything.
Cast
7 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Cost of Shine: How Glamour Girls Reveals the Hollow Core of Nollywood’s Glamour Myth
I’ve seen this story before. Not the exact plot—though the synopsis about luxury escorts undone by murder and robbery is familiar enough—but the shape of it. The rise, the glitter, the fall.
Nollywood has a particular fondness for tales of women who trade their bodies for upward mobility, and Glamour Girls (2022) is no exception. What’s interesting, though, is how little it seems to care about the women at its center. The film wants the glamour, the danger, the moral comeuppance, but it doesn’t want the mess of real people.
And that, I think, is its undoing.
Bunmi Ajakaiye’s film arrives at a moment when Nollywood is increasingly obsessed with the trappings of wealth—fast cars, designer clothes, lavish parties—but rarely stops to ask what those things cost. Glamour Girls doesn’t either, not really. It’s a film that luxuriates in the aesthetics of its world without interrogating the systems that sustain it. The camera lingers on silk dresses and clinking glasses, but the women wearing them are little more than mannequins in a morality play.
Their motivations are sketched in broad strokes: money, power, survival. But what does survival feel like? What does it do to a person to smile for a man who sees you as a transaction?
The film doesn’t say.
This isn’t just a failure of character development—it’s a failure of empathy. The cast is stacked with talented actors—Nse Ikpe-Etim, Joselyn Dumas, Sharon Ooja—all of whom have played complex women in other projects. Here, they’re given little to work with.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A glossy but uneven Nollywood drama with strong performances that struggle to elevate a predictable plot."
Viewers appreciate the polished production and standout performances, particularly from Nse Ikpe-Etim and Sharon Ooja, which add depth to the glamorous world of high-end escorts. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the story’s reliance on clichéd twists and underdeveloped side characters leaves many feeling the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Nse Ikpe-Etim and Sharon Ooja deliver compelling portrayals that anchor the film’s emotional core.
- Glossy production value The film’s visual style and high-end aesthetic create an immersive, luxurious atmosphere.
- Engaging premise The exploration of ambition and survival in Lagos’ elite circles sparks initial interest.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot Familiar twists and a lack of narrative surprises make the story feel formulaic.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including some high-profile cast members, lack depth and impact.
- Uneven pacing Some scenes drag while others rush through key moments, disrupting the flow.
Recommended for
Nollywood drama enthusiasts Fans of stylish character studies Viewers who enjoy Lagos-set stories Nse Ikpe-Etim admirers Sharon Ooja fans
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside the Netflix Remake: Glamour Girls (2022) and the Nollywood Drama Behind the Scenes
The 2022 Netflix remake of Glamour Girls was billed as a glossy return to one of Nollywood’s most iconic franchises, but its journey from script to screen was anything but smooth. Directed by Bunmi Ajakaiye and starring heavyweights like Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sharon Ooja, and Joselyn Dumas, the film promised a modern twist on the 1994 classic. latestnetflix.com's read is that instead, it became a lightning rod for debate—praised for its star power but criticized for its execution.
A High-Stakes Remake with Mixed Reactions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6ZLH-memUI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCTMv6ecU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzynvotBxcY
Glamour Girls (2022) arrived on Netflix with a built-in audience, but early reviews were polarized. Some viewers celebrated its lavish visuals and the chemistry among its ensemble cast, particularly Ikpe-Etim and Ooja, who played central roles in the film’s high-society drama . Others, however, called it a misfire, arguing that the remake failed to capture the grit and authenticity of the original. One YouTube critic went as far as labeling it a "disaster," citing weak pacing and a script that struggled to balance nostalgia with modern storytelling .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBvqMU7J4ds
The film’s Rotten Tomatoes page reflects this divide, though no official score is listed, leaving its reception largely defined by fan debates and video reviews 
. Despite the criticism, the movie’s star-studded cast—including Toke Makinwa and Segilola Ogidan—kept it in the conversation, with many viewers tuning in for the performances alone .
Behind the Scenes: Cast Dynamics and Netflix’s Gamble
The remake’s production was shrouded in secrecy, but a few details emerged about the challenges of reviving a beloved property. Sources suggest that the film’s 120-minute runtime was a point of contention, with some arguing it rushed key plotlines that deserved deeper exploration . Rumors also swirled about creative differences between the director and Netflix, though neither party has confirmed these claims .
The cast, however, seemed united in their enthusiasm for the project. In a no-spoilers breakdown, a YouTube host highlighted the camaraderie among the leads, particularly Ikpe-Etim and Dumas, whose on-screen friendship mirrored their real-life bond . Sharon Ooja, who played a pivotal role, also drew praise for her portrayal of a glamorous but morally ambiguous character, further fueling speculation about a potential sequel .
**What’s Next for Glamour Girls?**
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qwZE6hIP9E
Despite the backlash, the film’s Netflix release ensured it reached a global audience, reigniting interest in the franchise. A follow-up, Glamour Girls 2, was teased in a full-movie review, though no official announcement has been made . Fans are divided—some clamor for a redemption arc for the remake, while others hope for a fresh take that honors the original’s legacy.
For now, Glamour Girls (2022) remains a cautionary tale about the risks of reimagining a cult classic. Whether it’s remembered as a bold experiment or a missed opportunity may depend on who you ask.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.