Uzoamaka Power and Bucci Franklin Capture the Silent Cracks in Modern Love in Shaping Us

A gripping Showmax drama that lays bare the emotional realities of marriage, motherhood, and mental health in Nigerian homes

What happens when love, exhaustion, and unspoken pain collide?

Shaping Us, now streaming exclusively on Showmax, explores this through a gripping and intimate Nigerian story that resonates deeply with modern families.

At the center of the film are two standout performances: Uzoamaka Power as Zainab, a mother silently battling postpartum depression, and Bucci Franklin as her husband Doctor Yan, a man struggling to bridge the emotional gap in their crumbling marriage.

A Quiet Storm: Uzoamaka’s Performance as Zainab

While the story follows a group of friends gathered for a farewell dinner, Zainab’s emotional journey stands out. In a society where motherhood is glorified but maternal mental health is rarely discussed, Uzoamaka Power gives a powerful, restrained performance. Her silence speaks volumes she doesn’t cry or scream; instead, she fades quietly. From her baby. From her partner. From herself.

Bucci Franklin as the Husband Who Means Well… But Misses the Signs

Opposite her, Bucci Franklin captures the dilemma of many Nigerian men: Doctor Yan is present, even loving, but emotionally out of depth. His attempts to keep things together are sincere, yet he fails to grasp the quiet unraveling of his wife. Their dynamic reflects the challenges many couples face where love exists but communication breaks down.

A Farewell Dinner That Unpacks So Much More

Directed by Kambili Ofili, Shaping Us unfolds over a single evening, but its emotional layers run deep. The film explores several couples and friendships, from Biodun and his wife’s hidden cracks to the tender connection between Maks (Omowunmi Dada) and Kwame (Jordan Bangoji). Each subplot adds to the film’s honest depiction of how relationships bend under pressure—and how healing sometimes begins with difficult conversations.

A Standout Scene Worth Remembering

One of the film’s most unforgettable scenes sees Zainab and Doctor Yan in the kitchen, confronting their growing disconnect. It’s not loud or dramatic. It’s honest. Awkward. Painful. Real. It captures the emotional distance many couples silently endure, especially in the early years of parenting.

Final Thoughts

Shaping Us reflects the silent struggles, the quiet love, and the unspoken tensions in many Nigerian homes. With compelling performances, particularly from Uzoamaka Power and Bucci Franklin, the film dares to have the tough conversations we often avoid.

Stream Shaping Us now, only on Showmax (Africa).