A woman who helped bring one of 2025’s biggest horror movies to life is now fighting for her share of the massive cash the film raked in — and her story is one wey go make your blood boil.
When “Obsession” — the horror film that shook cinemas in 2025 — pulled in a jaw-dropping $500 million at the box office*, it looked like a classic Nollywood-style come-up story: small money, big result. The movie was made on a shoestring budget of just *$750,000, meaning the returns were nothing short of miraculous.
But as they say in Nigeria, “when money enter, trouble follow.”
An executive producer of the blockbuster has now taken the film’s production company and two other producers to court, alleging that she was deliberately pushed out of her rightful share of the profits — even though she played a key role in making the movie happen.
The Allegations: Classic Sharp Practice
According to the lawsuit, the woman claims she was essentially sidelined after the film became a hit. You know how it goes — when a project is struggling to find funding, everybody is your partner. But the moment the money starts flowing? Suddenly people develop selective amnesia about who did what.
The executive producer is arguing that despite her contributions to the film’s development and production, the other parties worked to cut her out of the profit-sharing arrangement that should have been her due.
Why This Story Matters to Nigerians
This case might be happening abroad, but e dey hit different for anyone who understands the entertainment business in Nigeria. How many times have we heard stories of Nollywood producers, musicians, and creatives who poured their sweat and resources into a project, only to be shortchanged when the money came?
From Lagos to Abuja, creative professionals know the pain of verbal agreements that suddenly become “misunderstandings” once a project blows up. The music industry, Nollywood, and even the tech space in Nigeria are filled with similar tales of people who helped build something great but were denied their flowers — and their funds.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s put this in perspective:
– Production budget:* $750,000 (roughly *₦1.2 billion at current rates)
– Box office earnings:* $500,000,000 (over *₦800 billion)
– Return on investment:* Over *66,500%
That is the kind of profit margin that would make even Dangote raise an eyebrow. So it is no surprise that people are now fighting over who gets what slice of that very large, very sweet national cake.
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit is currently making its way through the courts, and the entertainment world is watching closely. If the executive producer wins, it could set an important precedent about how profit participation agreements are honoured in Hollywood — and send a message to producers everywhere that cutting people off after a windfall has consequences.
For Nigerian creatives watching from this side of the world, the case is a timely reminder: always get your agreement in writing, use a lawyer, and protect your interests before the project blows — not after.
Because once the money lands, some people will act like they never knew you.
This case continues to develop. Follow us for updates as the story unfolds.
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