10 December 2018
Better Watch Out: “A holiday film that decks the halls with blood”
Update: Better Watch Out is no longer on Showmax. Find your next binge in the full movies catalogue here.
Entertainment Weekly wrote, “If you want to gift yourself a holiday film that decks the halls with blood, this is one to put under the tree.”
In the gleefully unhinged holiday horror-comedy Better Watch Out, babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge from The Visit) looks after precocious 12-year-old Luke (Levi Miller from Pan). What begins as a normal evening soon takes a dark turn when intruders break into the house, but this is far from a normal home invasion. ..
Better Watch Out has won eight international awards, including the jury prize at Frightfest and the audience award at Fantasia last year. The film has an 88% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where it was recently named the second best Christmas horror film ever, with the critics’ consensus saying, “Carried by its charismatic young cast, Better Watch Out is an adorably sinister holiday horror film.”
As Bloody Disgusting wrote, “Better Watch Out provides a bonkers twist on the home invasion sub-genre that had me squealing with glee from start to finish.”
Or to get more high-brow about it, Los Angeles Times-style, “In the long, sordid history of the ‘Christmas horror’ sub-genre, there’s never been a movie quite like Better Watch Out, a consistently surprising and unusually well-acted thriller, which says pertinent things about suburbia, holiday entertainment and toxic masculinity.”
Just be warned: you’ll never be able to watch Home Alone the same way ever again…
Stream Better Watch Out first and only on Showmax.
Festive highlights on Showmax
If you want to keep the Christmas carol soundtrack and snow-covered scenery, but rather watch something more suitable for the whole family, Showmax has a host of more traditional festive season content to watch, including:
Stick Man
“Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three,” until he’s taken further and further away from home on an epic adventure across the seasons. He runs from a playful dog, gets thrown in a river, escapes from a swan’s nest, and even ends up on top of a fire, as he tries to get back to his family in time for Christmas.
Animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish and co-directed by South African Daniel Snaddon, this BBC One Christmas special by Magic Light Pictures (The Gruffalo, Revolting Rhymes) won the top prizes at leading animation festivals like Annecy and Kidscreen, among others.
Based on the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Stick Man is voiced by the likes of Martin Freeman and Hugh Bonneville, with Jennifer Saunders narrating. Watch now »
Liewe Kersfeesvader
A teenage beauty queen (Mila Guy) is flung into swift adulthood when her father (Morne Visser) assumes a new identity: Father Christmas. Juggling a crazy father, an impressionable kid brother and a growing romance, Nonnie has to redefine her own meaning of family. Written and directed by Etienne Fourie (Die Windpomp), Liewe Kersfeesvader was nominated for Best Editor (Johan Prinsloo) at the SAFTAs this year. Watch now »
Klein Kroontjies
Ever felt strange singing about white Christmases in sunny South Africa? Klein Kroontjies has released five animated Christmas carols that are a lot more appropriate, featuring Nianell, Lloyd Cele, Pierre Greeff, Anna Davel and Gerry Liberty respectively. These are first and only on Showmax. Watch now »
Christmas specials for Timmy Time, Peppa Pig, Garfield and My Little Pony
When Timmy and his friends get snowed in at the nursery on Christmas Eve, they decide to create their own Christmas right there. Watch now »
Also look out for Peppa Pig and Garfield Christmas specials, coming 17 December 2018, and My Little Pony – Best Gift Ever coming 20 December 2018.
Original African stories by local talent
Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream from 24 June on Showmax.
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 from 23 June, 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.
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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.
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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 are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 5 now, with new episodes every Friday.
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Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S1-2 now on Showmax.
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The Mommy Club S1-3
The Mommy Club sees glamorous Jozi momfluencers navigating the the cutthroat world of “it” moms. All episodes, including both reunion episodes, are streaming on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaUntied, coming to Showmax
The Real Housewives of Durban S5, now streaming
More Mzansi gold
Showmax Gen Z stars speak out for Youth Day 2025
The young stars of Youngins, Soft Life, and Adulting share what Youth Day means to them and how their roles are influencing their generation. See them all on Showmax.
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Youth Day 2025: How 8 South African stars got their start
From Thembinkosi Mthembu to Thuso Mbedu and Lemogang Tsipa, these South African stars have journeyed from humble beginnings to taking our screens and the world by storm.
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Must-watch trailer for upcoming Showmax talk show, Untied
Watch the explosive trailer for Untied, featuring eight South African celebrities who have gone through public divorces. Hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, the talk show premieres on Showmax on 24 June 2025.
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Married At First Sight Mzansi S1
Eight strangers, one goal – to meet their perfect match for the very first time at the end of the wedding aisle. Stream all of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 while you wait for Season 2, on Showmax.
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