The Furnace (2019)

The Furnace on Showmax will remind you that you’re capable of more – if you believe.

From the outside, The Furnace is a 241km footrace across the Kruger National Park. For Mary (Jamie Bernadette), it’s a second chance at life. Her husband (Armand Aucamp) is killed in a car crash two days after their wedding and his honeymoon gift was entry into The Furnace. On the brink of giving up, Mary finds inspiration from God-fearing cemetery worker Coffin (Luthuli Dlamini).

It’s inspirational, reminding you that you can and will still be broken down. But you mustn’t give up fighting, no matter the odds – for Mary, it’s wearing an oxygen mask just to breathe. The script is average, the acting is good, but where it shines is with its messages as Mary finds salvation and hope in God.

The Furnace is directed by Oscar nominee Darrell Roodt (Yesterday).

David Duprey from ThatMomentIn.com says that while it’s not an Oscar winner, The Furnace delivers for its target: “Its heavenly themes of belief are heavy hitting alongside some genuine story threads of perseverance and endurance. It’s very simple with good performances and plenty of earnestness that its target market will embrace.”