21 June 2024

Polite Society (2023)

Not released in South African cinemas, Polite Society follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan, who believes she must save her older sister, Lena, from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.

As Ria, Priya Kansara was nominated for Best Actress in an Action Movie at this year’s Critics Choice Super Awards. She was also up for the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 2023 British Independent Film Awards, where her co-star Ritu Arya (Barbie, The Umbrella Academy, Red Notice) was nominated for Best Supporting Performance as Lena, and the movie earned debut feature film writer-director Nida Manzoor (the BAFTA-winning creator of the series We Are Lady Parts) a nom for Best Debut Screenwriter.

Following its world premiere at Sundance, Polite Society was named among The Guardian's Best Films of 2023 and racked up a 90% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus says, “Polite Society throws, kicks, and punches the genre etiquette book out the window to deliver a fun film that blends Bollywood splendour and British wryness.” Or as Observer (UK) puts it, Polite Society is a “kickass celebration of sisterly bonds.”

Watch it now

More like this

Comedy Comedy movies Movies

Black Bag (2025)

Michael Fassbender faces the ultimate test of loyalty in espionage movie Black Bag, about a spy whose wife might be the mole he's tasked to find.

Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim on Showmax

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)

The epic anime prequel to The Lord of the Rings franchise. Hera, King Helm's daughter, must lead the fight against an enemy seeking vengeance.

From The Office to The Paper

As The Office’s OG documentary crew gets a new business in their crosshairs, we expose the connections between these two workplace mockumentaries.

First

Jerrod Carmichael Don't Be Gay on Showmax

Jerrod Carmichael: Don't Be Gay (2025)

Critically acclaimed comedian Jerrod Carmichael shares his observations on living as a Black gay man with a white boyfriend.

First

Inside spy movie Black Bag

Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.

The Paper S1

Fans of "The Office" will love this mockumentary comedy. The documentary crew that immortalised Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch is searching for a new subject. A historic Toledo newspaper that needs reviving.

First

A Nice Indian Boy (2025)

In this humorous, heartfelt romcom, a gay doctor brings his white fiancé home to meet his traditional Indian family.

Thembinkosi Mthembu and Londeka Sishi as Bonga and Nkanyezi in Adulting

RSVP for a Showmax wedding: 40+ celebrations to enjoy

From surprise vows to family feuds, Showmax is serving up over 40 wedding-themed movies and series. We’re saying I Do to non-stop entertainment!

Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2 on Showmax

Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax

More enthralling movies to stream

MobLand S1

Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.

Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax

Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime.