10 August 2021
What to watch after Devilsdorp
Devilsdorp, the fascinating, gruesome story of the Krugersdorp Killings, has had the whole country enthralled. All four episodes are ready to binge – and there’s even more of the story in the official Companion Podcast – find it here, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Once you’re done, try these riveting documentaries, movies and series that tell more incredible South African stories. After all, if Devilsdorp proved one thing it’s that, of all the things to be afraid of, subtitles aren’t one …
More crime stories: Huisgenoot: Ware Lewensdramas
From the Stander Gang to Oscar Pistorius, Taliep Pietersen to Baby Jordan, the SAFTA-nominated documentary series Huisgenoot: Ware Lewensdramas revisits the true-life stories that made the headlines, going behind the story with the people involved, talking to experts, and hearing from the journalists who originally broke the stories in one of SA’s oldest and best-loved publications. Watch now »
Crime docuseries: Op Seer Se Spoor
kykNET&kie’s SAFTA-nominated real-life crime docuseries is presented by Kuier journalist and TV personality Ernusta Maralack. The series takes an in-depth look at cases of violence against women and children, police cruelty, suicide and murder, and examines the motives and social conditions that drove these crimes. Watch now »
The biggest crime of all: How to Steal a Country
How to Steal a Country documents the Gupta family’s rise from flea-market shoe salesmen to owners of a controversial South African business empire in under 10 years. The documentary runs as a suspenseful detective story uncovering one huge bribery scandal after another, involving the top echelons of political power and several well-known multinational corporations. It comes from multi-award-winning documentary filmmakers Rehad Desai (Everything Must Fall) and Mark J Kaplan (The Lion’s Trail, The Village Under The Forest).
Crimes against nature: Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War
Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War tells the shocking and touching story of the ongoing poaching of rhino and the trade in its coveted horn. In an exclusive first, filmmakers Bonné de Bod and Susan Scott filmed special ranger units inside the Kruger National Park and at the home of the white rhino, the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. The pair also travelled undercover to the dangerous back rooms of wildlife traffickers and dealers in China and Vietnam and the result is a powerful, hard-hitting and incredibly moving documentary that will challenge and shock viewers. Watch now »
If you want more of international true crime stories, check out these documentaries from HBO and more.
Series and movies
A notorious crime: Griekwastad
Another of SA’s most notorious cases. Arnold Vosloo (Bosch, 24, The Mummy) and rising teen star Alex van Dyk (Die Stropers) lead the cast in Griekwastad, which recounts the investigation into the horrific 2012 murder of Deon and Christel Steenkamp and their teenage daughter, Marthella, on their farm Naauwhoek.
Written and directed respectively by SAFTA winners Tertius Kapp (Rage, 4 Mure) and Jozua Malherbe (Slot, Wolwedans in die Skemer), the chilling film is based on Jacques Steenkamp’s best-seller. The all-star cast includes Trackers stars Sisanda Henna and Rolanda Marais and SAFTA winners Deon Lotz. Watch now »
Crime with an occult twist: Die Spreeus
The “Spreeus” take on cases that make other detectives’ hair stand on end. Bas and Beatrice are the fearless members of an investigative unit that tracks crime into other worlds.
An impenetrable mystery: Skemerdans
Skemerdans set in the Cape Flats around a grieving widow who fights to regain control of what belongs to her amidst an ongoing murder investigation into the death of her husband.
Excellent Afrikaans crime drama: Die Byl S1-3
Brilliant detective Piet van der Bijl and his team are back for another nail-biting season of solving murder cases. But this season, the investigators become the targets.
A disappearing act: Spoorloos S3
Return to Digsterdal, where, in the first season, we met three investigators determined to lay a cold case to rest. The season ended with a bang: what’s in store for the townspeople this time?
Lockdown crime: Siende Blind
A serial killer profiler revisits old cases during lockdown. Soon she finds herself following a twisted trail through the history of her new in-laws.
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
What will be the cost of vengeance? Empini S1, coming soon
The Roast Of Minnie Dlamini, now streaming
More Mzansi gold
9 most shocking moments in The Illuminated
Are you strong enough to binge Showmax Original documentary series The Illuminated? Here’s what you’ll need to prepare yourself.
Youngins Season 1 Episode 37-39 recap: Expelled!
While the five’s video goes viral, they’re swiftly expelled and forced to return home following a disciplinary hearing in Episodes 37-39 of Showmax Original Youngins.
What to watch on Showmax in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer in South Africa now, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 11 recap: Cutting through
In episode 11 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty hosts a ‘Healing with Hermajesty’ night picnic that turns sour. New episodes every Monday.