8 November 2021
Five Fingers for Marseilles (2017)
Five Fingers for Marseilles is a brilliant South African gun-slinging western. Twenty years ago, the young “Five Fingers” fought for the rural town of Marseilles against brutal police oppression. Now, after fleeing in disgrace, freedom-fighter-turned-outlaw Tau returns to Marseilles, seeking a peaceful pastoral life. When he finds the town under a new threat, he reluctantly fights to free it. Can he free himself from his past? Will the Five Fingers stand again?
The movie has a score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and got glowing reviews from critics: The Wall Street Journal suggested it could be the Western genre’s Black Panther. Variety called it “almost too entertaining for its own good.”
As Tau, Vuyo Dabula is “terrific,” to quote The Los Angeles Times. The movie catapulted writer Sean Drummond and director Michael Matthews into Hollywood. Michael went on to direct the Oscar-nominated Love and Monsters.
Five Fingers was the most awarded film at the 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards, where it won five prizes, including Best Film.
Watch more highly regarded African movies on Showmax, including Oscar entries such as Knuckle City, Inxeba: The Wound, Sew the Winter to my Skin and Toorbos.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.

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.
SA celebs open up about divorce on Untied
The action heats up on Empini
More Mzansi gold

Laugh Africa Comedy Club
A high-energy celebration of stand-up, spotlighting the continent’s finest comedic talent and international guests, straight from the iconic Laugh Africa Comedy Festival.

Sorisha Naidoo on being an OG of The Real Housewives of Durban
Sorisha Naidoo reflects on her journey in The Real Housewives of Durban ahead of the highly anticipated Season 5 reunion, airing in two parts on Showmax, on 4 July and 11 July 2025.

Een Keer Om Die Son S1
Over the course of a year, the Van Wyks mourn the loss of a loved one and struggle with divorce, illness, forgiveness, high school and secrets as they heal and find each other again.

Nonku opens up about Untied, now streaming on Showmax
Nonku Williams spills the tea on why she agreed to be on the new Showmax Original talk show, Untied. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on Showmax, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja.