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
Soft Life
Soft Life follows Owami who enters into the secretive world of high-society companionship. Stream from 18 November 2024, with new episodes every Monday.
Style Magnate
Style Magnate is a Nigerian Showmax Original following 20 designers vying for a life-changing prize. Stream from 4 October, with new episodes every Friday.
Subterranea
Subterranea follows eight participants of a psychological experiment, trapped in an underground bunker. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Nai-Rich
Nai-Rich follows five influential Kenyans, giving a glimpse into the glitz and glam of their daily lives in the entertainment industry. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
False Glory
Fake Glory is a three-part documentary series that delves into those moments when sporting figures did the unthinkable for personal gain.
Law, Love and Betrayal
Law, Love and Betrayal follows a tough township lawyer who forces her way into a slick, family-owned firm in Sandton. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Shebeen Queens
Shebeen Queens is a reality show about the indomitable women behind popular Soweto shebeens. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Die Ondernemers
Die Ondernemers follows three entrepreneurs in the funeral business. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Soft Life, coming to Showmax
Brasse Vannie Kaap, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
Death in the Heartlands up for Sports Documentary of the Year in London
Death in the Heartlands is up for Sports Doc of the Year in London. Stream this and more awards contenders now on Showmax.
Empini Season 1, episodes 39-40 recap: In the name of Bonga Themba
In episodes 39-49 of Empini, Ndoni forces another suspension and the Bhodoza family forces Winnie to accept Zenzele for the day. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Law, Love and Betrayal Season 1, episode 5 recap: The thing speaks for itself
In Ep 5 of Law, Love and Betrayal, Gugu tries to negotiate for an advance on her salary to deal with a crisis. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Meet the colourful crew of Headspace
Meet the colourful characters behind the action-packed animation feature film Headspace, the most watched local film at SA cinemas last year.