Expiry Date is a cheeky local romcom that flirts with fun and disaster

Relationships are hard. For Musa and his brother Zipho, two guys who have been unlucky in love, getting to that make-or-break point is a no-no. That’s why their dating strategy is called Expiry Date.

After Musa discovers his happily-ever-after is strutting about “Jozi, my Jozi” with a new man, he’s devastated and calls on his older brother for guidance. An act of heroic roadside assistance turns into a chance meeting with the girl of his dreams, but Zipho convinces him to upload a few choice shots to a dating app.

Together the boys come up with a scheme to date as many girls as possible only to dump them when things get complicated. Aiming to catch flights instead of feelings, the brothers opt for situationships over relationships in an attempt to play the field and get over their heartache.

Juggling women and sidestepping commitment, their antics create all kinds of calamity as each new girlfriend eventually discovers they’re being duped. From housesitting fancy penthouse apartments to befriending celebs, the men wear their trash status like a badge of honour until Musa gets a shot at the real deal.

A familiar theme

Expiry Date‘s plot recalls old-school romantic comedies such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with a little White Wedding bromance to boot. Hitting the dating circuit with a time limit may sound a lot like speed dating, but this fun jaunt finds Musa stretching the limits and rules when it comes to romance with comedic consequences.

Best known for his role as Scelo in Scandal, Mbulelo Katise takes on the tightrope balancing act that is Musa. A charming actor, Katise keeps audiences rooting for Musa even though he gets in over his head. Katise enjoys buddy-buddy chemistry with the persuasive Ishmael Songo as his older brother, Zipho. Coerced into a deceptive plan by his sibling, who always knows best, it’s easy to empathise with this lost soul.

A cautionary boys-will-be-boys tale, Expiry Date features a strong selection of women in SAFTA nominee Mapula Mafole (Rhythm City) as Musa’s sweet-natured new crush and ideal romantic partner, Phiweyo. Winnie Ntshaba (Generations) grounds things as an unsuspecting mother of two players. Finally, to add some red carpet spice, a dolled-up Ntando Duma (The Queen) delivers a sultry, no-nonsense turn as an influencer known as “Celebrity Cindy”.

Expiry Date is brought to life by Africa Movie Academy Award and SAFTA-winning director Sihle Hlophe (Lindela Under Lockdown). This upbeat romcom represents a shift for the award-winning filmmaker, whose special documentary insights enhance and inform this movie. While Musa and Zipho tend towards the “men are trash” label, inadvertently perpetuating their father’s commitment issues, they come to a point of self-realisation after getting themselves in too deep.

Joburg never looked so good

Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, the curious lighting and colour scheme keeps Expiry Date’s interiors visually appealing as trendy bachelor apartment living is contrasted with aerial shots of the inner city. Flitting between Musa and his co-conspirator’s “smooth” operations, there are plenty of laughs to be found in their cocksure chirps and attempts to remain cool-headed when their dirty gamesmanship starts to catch up with them.

Led by an entertaining and exuberant cast, the twists and turns keep coming in this cheeky local romcom. Flirting with disaster, this strange tension keeps things on the go as we wait for Musa and Zipho’s ticking time bomb of a dating game to be exposed. Whether you’re watching to see if the brothers get away with their dastardly plans or are served their just desserts – there’s more than enough light-hearted humour and a few emotional hits to keep you amused and invested in the characters.