7 jaw-dropping moments in Devil's Peak

Devil’s Peak is a crime drama thriller series set below its namesake in Cape Town. Just left of the iconic Table Mountain, the ominous title points to the darker side of the picturesque holiday destination. An adaptation of the Deon Meyer novel series, Devil’s Peak centres on battle-hardened detective Benny Griessel.  

Struggling with an alcohol dependency and trying to be a better husband and father, Griessel pours himself into his career. His latest case revolves around a blood-thirsty serial killer whose weapon of choice is an assegaai - a vigilante with a special skill set. Bodies rack up as the criminal underworld gets taken down by a distraught father on a crusade.  

Watch the trailer for Devil's Peak

Devil’s Peak is a gripping series from Matthew Orton that catapults audiences into the dangerous backstreets of Cape Town where a smart killer runs amok as a troubled detective trails in his wake. A vivid adaptation of Meyer’s beloved series, the fine local ensemble includes Hilton Pelser, Sisanda Henna, Masasa Mbangeni, Shamilla Miller, Tarryn Wyngaard, Gérard Rudolf, Faith Baloyi and Albert Pretorius.  

Here are 7 jaw-dropping and unmissable moments that leave their mark in this explosive series with plenty of firepower in its stellar cast.

1. The incident (episode 1) 

No parent should have to bury their child. In Devil’s Peak, a father must confront this heartbreaking reality when his son is killed by reckless youths. Stopping at a deserted petrol station on a father-son road trip to ride motorbikes, Thobela Mpayipheli interrupts a convenience store robbery.  

Two masked and stoned young men bearing arms burst out of the doors laughing hysterically. When Thobela puts his hands up, the men are set into a flat panic by a car horn and start firing wildly. One of the haphazard shots pierces his car’s windscreen in a doomed moment of earth-shattering realisation as the perpetrators speed away. 

2. Driveby gunfire (episode 1) 

Benny Griessel accompanies two colleagues and a prisoner in an unmarked police vehicle. As the men argue about the outdated gospel music CD selection, the car grinds to a halt behind a taxi. Just as the driver whips around to give the prisoner a mouthful, bullets rip through the air and into his flesh. 

Reality rushes in as the blood-spattered men duck for cover as the prisoner is ejected from the car and transferred into a getaway vehicle. The gospel music plays on as the gunman lets another volley of bullets unload into the car’s tyre. 

3. Nightclub showdown (episode 1) 

Thobela finds himself in a standoff with the monstrous Enver at a dodgy nightclub. There on other business, he unwittingly becomes the escapee’s worst nightmare when the two lock horns in a backroom brawl. After learning of Enver’s attempt to undo his HIV status through the rape and murder of a virgin, he’s incensed - stumbling upon a trafficking syndicate. 

It’s not long before Thobela exacts street justice with the full force of his assegaai. Set against window bricks, the nightclub lights bounce off the walls as the dance of death ensues. 

4. Brothel massacre (episode 2) 

Having dispatched Enver and discovered the snake’s lair of traffickers, Thobela arrives under the pretense of being a new customer. Welcomed into the brothel like a brother, a cackle about the treatment of their women is short-lived as Thobela rips through the den with his short, sharp, stabbing spear. 

Taking damage to unleash his vengeance, the underground brothel quickly becomes a grisly murder spree as Thobela yanks out the blade to shaft another evildoer. Setting the prisoners free, the warrior makes double-sure there are no survivors.  

5. Unwelcome presence (episode 2) 

Benny and Anna Griessel are taking a break from their marriage in order for the detective to take the necessary steps to deal with his alcoholism. In a six-month programme, Benny is struggling to keep his word - falling back on his old crutch. When he arrives home late at night and drunk again, it’s not long before the poor decision mutates into a full-blown fight. 

Apologies and unwelcome contact leads to a bowl smashing against the wall as Anna loses her cool. Just as the argument turns a corner, a drunken and miserable Benny stumbles and turns the visit into a bruising encounter. 

6. Party games (episode 3) 

Christine is a call girl who arrives with her crew at a Constantia mansion with her blonde locks and golden jacket in full flight. Drop-dead gorgeous, she attracts the unwanted attention of the resident construction bigwig. When Christine rejects the advances of the host, it’s not long before she stumbles upon a gruesome murder - giving Anton Heidt even more reason to get even. 

A fearless and ruthless man, his henchmen bring Christine to a building site where he wants to bury her alive. Threatened within an inch of her life, she grovels for forgiveness and becomes Anton’s play thing, obsession and muse.  

7. Execution style (episode 4) 

Having been foiled once, Thobela arrives poolside once again to avenge his son. The father is there to kill one of the convenience store bandits who walked scot-free after his son died in his arms. The young man senses his time is up and is reduced to tears in what seem set to be his final moments.  

Waiting to feel the assegaai blade pierce his back, Thobela does the unthinkable... 

All episodes of Devil's Peak are streaming on Showmax.