10 August 2021
What to watch after Devilsdorp
Devilsdorp, the fascinating, gruesome story of the Krugersdorp Killings, has had the whole country enthralled. All four episodes are ready to binge – and there’s even more of the story in the official Companion Podcast – find it here, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Once you’re done, try these riveting documentaries, movies and series that tell more incredible South African stories. After all, if Devilsdorp proved one thing it’s that, of all the things to be afraid of, subtitles aren’t one …
More crime stories: Huisgenoot: Ware Lewensdramas
From the Stander Gang to Oscar Pistorius, Taliep Pietersen to Baby Jordan, the SAFTA-nominated documentary series Huisgenoot: Ware Lewensdramas revisits the true-life stories that made the headlines, going behind the story with the people involved, talking to experts, and hearing from the journalists who originally broke the stories in one of SA’s oldest and best-loved publications. Watch now »
Crime docuseries: Op Seer Se Spoor
kykNET&kie’s SAFTA-nominated real-life crime docuseries is presented by Kuier journalist and TV personality Ernusta Maralack. The series takes an in-depth look at cases of violence against women and children, police cruelty, suicide and murder, and examines the motives and social conditions that drove these crimes. Watch now »
The biggest crime of all: How to Steal a Country
How to Steal a Country documents the Gupta family’s rise from flea-market shoe salesmen to owners of a controversial South African business empire in under 10 years. The documentary runs as a suspenseful detective story uncovering one huge bribery scandal after another, involving the top echelons of political power and several well-known multinational corporations. It comes from multi-award-winning documentary filmmakers Rehad Desai (Everything Must Fall) and Mark J Kaplan (The Lion’s Trail, The Village Under The Forest).
Crimes against nature: Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War
Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War tells the shocking and touching story of the ongoing poaching of rhino and the trade in its coveted horn. In an exclusive first, filmmakers Bonné de Bod and Susan Scott filmed special ranger units inside the Kruger National Park and at the home of the white rhino, the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. The pair also travelled undercover to the dangerous back rooms of wildlife traffickers and dealers in China and Vietnam and the result is a powerful, hard-hitting and incredibly moving documentary that will challenge and shock viewers. Watch now »
If you want more of international true crime stories, check out these documentaries from HBO and more.
Series and movies
A notorious crime: Griekwastad
Another of SA’s most notorious cases. Arnold Vosloo (Bosch, 24, The Mummy) and rising teen star Alex van Dyk (Die Stropers) lead the cast in Griekwastad, which recounts the investigation into the horrific 2012 murder of Deon and Christel Steenkamp and their teenage daughter, Marthella, on their farm Naauwhoek.
Written and directed respectively by SAFTA winners Tertius Kapp (Rage, 4 Mure) and Jozua Malherbe (Slot, Wolwedans in die Skemer), the chilling film is based on Jacques Steenkamp’s best-seller. The all-star cast includes Trackers stars Sisanda Henna and Rolanda Marais and SAFTA winners Deon Lotz. Watch now »
Crime with an occult twist: Die Spreeus
The “Spreeus” take on cases that make other detectives’ hair stand on end. Bas and Beatrice are the fearless members of an investigative unit that tracks crime into other worlds.
An impenetrable mystery: Skemerdans
Skemerdans set in the Cape Flats around a grieving widow who fights to regain control of what belongs to her amidst an ongoing murder investigation into the death of her husband.
Excellent Afrikaans crime drama: Die Byl S1-3
Brilliant detective Piet van der Bijl and his team are back for another nail-biting season of solving murder cases. But this season, the investigators become the targets.
A disappearing act: Spoorloos S3
Return to Digsterdal, where, in the first season, we met three investigators determined to lay a cold case to rest. The season ended with a bang: what’s in store for the townspeople this time?
Lockdown crime: Siende Blind
A serial killer profiler revisits old cases during lockdown. Soon she finds herself following a twisted trail through the history of her new in-laws.
Original African stories by local talent
The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream from 22 July on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
What if we believed the best can come from here?
Let’s rewrite the rules of what it means to be local.
Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.
Made in Kenya
The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in Kenya
Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens serve looks and deliver drama. Stream Season 1-5 now, including all the explosive reunion episodes.
Made in South AfricaThe Mommy Club NBO now streaming
The Chocolate Empire, now streaming
The best movies to stream
Elphaba and Glinda’s Wicked little guide
Find out what Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have to say about Wicked, pick up 10 magical behind-the-scenes facts, and explore 7 more schools of witchcraft and wizardry.
Push play on Father’s Day: Dads just want to have fun
If you’re trying to figure out what the mystery man known as dad really wants this Father’s Day, promise him one-on-one time with our Dads Just Wanna Have Fun collection.
James McAvoy and James Watkins on Speak No Evil
Speak No Evil director James Watkins and star James McAvoy explain “host” Paddy’s creepy charisma, and we check out 6 more roles that prove you never know what to expect with James McAvoy.
Celebrate World Oceans Day with My Penguin Friend
My Penguin Friend director David Schurmann and actor Jean Reno explain how you shoot a penguin. Plus, explore our World Oceans Day watchlist of 25 wet and wild movies and series.