“BLAZING SPARK” REVIEW

Blazing Spark presents a genuinely solid story with meaningful things to say. It opens with a score by Bukunmi Falona that is as majestic as ever. The opening credits take a bit of time to unfold though, which is more noticeable because the movie is a short.

At the centre of the story is Peace, a woman who initially comes across as stern, guarded and unwilling to tolerate nonsense. One thing the film does quite well is withholding the reasons behind her behaviour until much later. Rather than immediately revealing the source of her emotional wounds, the screenplay allows us to observe the consequences first. This creates a level of intrigue around the character and encourages the audience to keep searching for answers.

There is however a difference between a good story and a good plot. Some elements in Blazing Spark are not arranged in the most effective manner. The opening scene, for instance, is very brief and abruptly cuts into the next day. The scene where Peace runs into John and Akin raises questions because they don’t seem to recognise her. This is highly improbable, considering the fact that the same actors essentially play their younger selves. So, I’m wondering if Peace is actually confronting reality, reliving trauma, or experiencing some form of hallucination.

More significantly, the film could have benefited from stronger temporal context. I probably never realized how important specifying age in screenplays could be until now. Peace appears to be in her mid-to-late forties in the present timeline, yet the flashback sequences offer very little visual distinction from her current appearance. Because the changes are minimal, it becomes difficult to determine how much time has passed between her traumatic experiences and the events of the film. Better casting choices, makeup decisions or clearer visual markers might have solved this problem. In general, a more structured approach to the plot would have produced a more impactful viewing experience.

That said, Blazing Spark succeeds in communicating some important truths. One of its strongest aspects is its emphasis on healthy boundaries within relationships. The film also recognizes the value of support systems. Peace’s friendship with Kemi and Mike’s persistence provide meaningful points of stability in her life, reminding viewers that healing is often aided by people who refuse to give up on us.

I also appreciate that the production does not present recovery as an exclusively spiritual or exclusively medical process. Here, both procedures are portrayed as important components in navigating difficult circumstances. That balance lends credibility to the film’s message and reflects the reality that many people require different forms of support while processing trauma and emotional pain.

I do think the ending could have been arranged more effectively. The epilogue title card is still followed by a couple of scenes, and I think the reverse should have been the case. The shopping sequence, for example, could easily have functioned as part of the developing courtship between Peace and Mike. The postscript would then have provided a stronger sense of closure.

Ultimately, Blazing Spark is a film with its heart in the right place. Its themes of healing, boundaries, friendship and restoration are worthwhile, and its central character carries enough emotional weight to sustain audience interest.

The link to the movie is https://youtu.be/4EgFkvIGvug?si=hi6J2YIjy7RYXxm-

Till the next review, stay blessed!

Film Credits

BLAZING SPARK (May 29, 2026)
33 minutes
Richly Endowed Ministries

Cast
Odunayo Olarewaju as Peace
Temitope Falana as Kemi
Wale Laja-Akintayo as Mike
Adekunle Adio as Akin
Sola Oshin as John

Crew
Screenplay
Adebayo Ajewole
Director of Photography
JK Omoba Adeniran
Editor
Angel Isaac
Director
Wole Adeyi