The Waiter, released on December 20, 2024, is AY Makun’s latest action-comedy directed by Toka McBaror and produced by Corporate World Entertainment. It’s loud, ambitious, and chaotic, but also a massive box office success. Within weeks of release, the film crossed the ₦300 million mark, securing its place as one of Nollywood’s top performers.
The story follows Akpos, played by AY, who takes a temporary job as a waiter at the upscale Crystal Hotel. But this isn’t an ordinary day at work. During a high-profile government event, a disgruntled ex-soldier disrupts the peace, and suddenly the hotel is caught in a tense hijacking situation. In classic Akpos fashion, he stumbles his way through the chaos, mixing comedy with disaster, and somehow becomes part of the larger mess.
What keeps audiences glued is AY’s star appeal and his trademark humor. Akpos is a character Nigerians have grown to know well, and the familiarity works in his favor. The film combines laughter, spectacle, and even touches of social commentary about poverty, corruption, and inequality. For many, that blend of entertainment and relevance makes The Waiter a holiday must-watch.
Still, it’s not without flaws. Some critics argue the movie tries to do too much at once—balancing action, comedy, and romance while touching on social issues—leaving parts of the story underdeveloped. Characters outside of Akpos often feel flat, and some action sequences stretch believability. The film thrives more on energy and spectacle than on tight storytelling.
At its heart, The Waiter is Nollywood entertainment in its purest form: noisy, funny, full of drama, and unapologetically over the top. It may not win awards for subtlety or perfect scripting, but it delivers what its fans came for—laughter, action, and big-screen entertainment.
I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a wild, fun ride, perfect for those who want to enjoy AY Makun doing what he does best, even if the story doesn’t always hold together.
