10 Thoughts I Had While Watching The Firstborn

Some movies exist purely to entertain. others tell deep personal stories. As a firstborn myself, I can relate to this movie in many ways. From the sacrifices to the silent struggles, it felt like watching my daily life unfold on screen. Here are 10 thoughts that ran through my mind while watching this emotional rollercoaster.

1. Firstborns don’t talk enough about how hard it is
From the very first scene, with Oma and Ebuka washing plates under the rain while Oma’s voiceover spoke about the weight of being the firstborn, it felt so real. We take care of everyone and often forget ourselves in the process.

2. Mercy Johnson was made for this role

Ebuka and Oma

She didn’t just act Oma. She was Oma. The way she portrayed pain, love, pride for her brother Ebuka was as if she had passed through something like that in reality. Even moments when she was just sitting silently with a drink, from her eyes, you could tell she had been through a lot and there’s this loneliness quietly creeping in.

3. When did we start thinking struggle is normal
Oma sacrificed her entire life, and somehow society has made it look normal, like that’s how it’s meant to be. We’ve normalized putting our lives on hold for others so much that when someone like Oma breaks down, we don’t even see it as a red flag.

4. I love Bimbo — she’s that friend we all need

Bimbo and Oma

Every time Bimbo took that drink from Oma’s hand, it made me smile, those were the scenes I loved the most. She did it with humor and warmth without disregarding the level of Oma’s pain. Bimbo made me realize how important it is to have someone looking out for you, even when you’re pretending to be fine.

5. Ebuka’s job hunt is every Nigerian graduate’s story
First class graduate with an NYSC certificate and still no job? I felt his frustration deeply. It’s sad that after spending almost half of your life passing through school struggles and coming out successful only to find out that brilliance doesn’t always translate into opportunity in this country. That scene where Oma talked to her customer about Ebuka’s struggle and he got him the job just proved that everything is connection, you have to know somebody. To get a good job by just relying on your certificate, it’s by the grace of God.

6. Julia and Shirley gave off “bad energy”
I knew trouble was brewing the minute Shirley shot Oma a look of disgust and called her “wretched-looking.” Julia’s sudden change in attitude right after made my blood boil. Sometimes, the real threat to peace at home isn’t your partner — it’s the people whispering in their ear.

7. The weight of loneliness can kill you
When Oma collapsed, my heart sank. When the doctor said it was emotional trauma and loneliness, I wasn’t even surprised. It reminded me how many strong people are slowly dying inside while smiling and pretending to be okay.

8. Ebuka choosing his wife over his sister broke me
Even though I understood it, that moment when he shouted at Oma shocked me. I felt disappointed. She gave up her life for him, and all she wanted was a little space in the new world she had helped him build. I was livid.

9. That proposal at the hospital came too late

Oma on her sickbed

When the old customer finally confessed his love, I almost cried. Finally after all the pain, she finally had someone who saw her and she didn’t live to enjoy it. Life really isn’t fair sometimes.

10. We need to appreciate our firstborns more
Oma’s story made me want to hug every firstborn I know. We often carry too much, and we act like it’s fine when deep down we know it’s slowly eating us. This movie reminded me that while being strong is great, but what’s the point when the cost you pay is with your life.

Final Thoughts
This is to every first child out there, it’s okay to be selfish at times, so someone won’t end up eating the fruit of your labor.

Put yourself first and you’ll see there’s always plenty of room for your siblings.
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