Anticipated Cinema Debuts in South Africa During 2023
1960 is a passion project for SAFTA-winning and Annie Award-nominated composer Bruce Retief who drew on the spirit of the greats of Sophiatown with director King Shaft. The film, titled "Back to Latest Film Releases," now plays on Showmax.
"57 Seconds" follows tech blogger Franklin Fausti (Josh Hutcherson) who, after thwarting an assassination attempt and picking up a mysterious ring, begins to experience a rewind button that allows him to go back 57 seconds in time. He uses this power to shift the odds in his favor, seducing his new girlfriend Julia and taking easy money in casinos. The film, also starring Morgan Freeman, is now available to watch.
"65" takes viewers on an action-adventure journey as pilot Mills (Adam Driver) finds himself stranded on Earth 65 million years ago after a cataclysmic crash. Alongside a young girl (Ariana Greenblatt), Mills must navigate an unfamiliar terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures to ensure their survival. "65" is now in theaters.
"A Good Person" follows the story of Allison (played by Florence Pugh), a young woman who survives an unimaginable tragedy, emerging from recovery with an opioid addiction and unresolved grief. The film, written, directed, and produced by Zach Braff, showcases Pugh's powerful performance as she forms an unlikely friendship with her father-in-law that gives her a fighting chance to put her life back together and move forward. "A Good Person" is currently streaming on various platforms.
In "A Haunting in Venice," it's All Hallow's Eve in an eerie Venice in the years following World War II, where celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), now resides, retired, and living in self-imposed exile. Poirot receives a visit from an old friend, the world's number-one mystery writer Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), who has something she just has to show him and promises it is not a crime. She wants him to join her at a séance and help her prove it's not real. When one of the guests is murdered, Poirot is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets. The movie is now available to watch.
Set in a remote mountain chalet in the French Alps, "A Man Called Otto" follows Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy man who no longer sees purpose in life after the loss of his wife. Otto is ready to end it all, but his plans are interrupted when a lively young family moves in next door, and he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol - she challenges him to see life differently, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world around. This heartwarming and funny story about love, loss, and life can be seen on various streaming platforms.
"About My Father" tells the story of celebrated stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco who wanted to make a movie about his father and co-wrote the screenplay for "About My Father," starring with legendary Italian-American two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro in a comedy about a man who is encouraged by his fiancee to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and eccentric family. Now playing in theaters.
Based on the #1 New York Times bestseller A Man Called Ove, "A Man Called Otto" tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grump who no longer sees purpose in life after the loss of his wife. Otto is ready to end it all, but his plans are interrupted when a lively young family moves in next door, and he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol - she challenges him to see life differently, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world around. A heartwarming and funny story about love, loss, and life, "A Man Called Otto" shows us that family can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places. Now playing in theaters.
In "Air," the film reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division. Moved by his desire to revolutionize the world of sports and contemporary culture, the film follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son's immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time. Directed by Ben Affleck, the film stars Matt Damon as Nike's basketball expert, Sonny Vaccaro; Ben Affleck as Nike founder and CEO, Phil Knight; Jason Bateman (Ozark) as Rob Strasser; and Viola Davis as Michael's mother, Deloris Jordan. "Air" is now available to watch.
After an amazing first date, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben's fiery attraction fades, turning into a shocking betrayal. Hoping to win back her girl, Merlin moves to Las Vegas to pursue work as a magician, only to get hired as the front man in a revival of the notorious Black male stripper crew, The Chocolate Chips. Alongside his old friend Luther (who is now broke and broken), the old, domesticated, out-of-shape Chips put aside former conflicts and reunite to save the hotel they used to perform in while helping Merlin win back his girl. "Back on the Strip" stars Spence Moore II, Tiffany Haddish, JB Smoove, Faizon Love, Wesley Snipes, and Kevin Hart and is directed and co-written by Chris Spencer in his feature film directorial debut. Now on Showmax.
set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, The Banshees of Inisherin follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavors to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic's repeated efforts only strengthen Colm's resolve and when he delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences. Now playing in theaters.
In "Barbie," Greta Gerwig writes and directs this live-action adaptation of the iconic toy brand, following a young woman named Miley Cyrus who finds a mysterious island and befriends its inhabitants, who happen to be the versions of her favorite Barbie dolls. Stranded on the island, Miley and her friends must navigate a world of glamour, fashion, and friendship, all while searching for a way home. "Barbie" is set to be released on July 21, 2023.
In this supernatural thriller, a psychiatrist (Ari Aster, creator of Hereditary and Midsommar) encounters a patient who claims to be a ghost. As they delve deeper into mysterious events, they uncover a horrifying truth that puts both their sanity and their lives at risk. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, Amy Ryan, Kylie Rogers, Parker Posey, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Hayley Squires, Michael Gandolfini, Zoe Lister-Jones, and Richard Kind, "Beau Is Afraid" is a mind-bending exploration of terror and the darkness that lurks within us all. Now on Showmax.
Based on the popular young adult novel, "Beautiful Disaster" tells the story of Abby Abernathy (Emma Roberts), a college sophomore eager to focus on her studies and start a new social life. However, her plans are quickly derailed when she meets Travis "Mad Dog" Maddox (Alex Pettyfer), a bad-boy brawler and campus playboy. Travis is exactly what Abby doesn't want - but she can't resist his charm and seduction. As the pair's volatile relationship progresses, Abby must navigate her feelings and decide if she can trust her heart to a man who seems to be driving her mad. Now on Showmax.
Based on the true story of Elizabeth Klarer, a South African woman who claimed to have been in contact with extraterrestrial beings for most of her life, "Beyond the Light Barrier" explores the world of UFOs, ancient prophecies, and transcendental consciousness. Directed by Dean Pohlort and narrated by Dannie Shell, "Beyond the Light Barrier" is streaming on Amazon Prime.
set in South Africa, "Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster" is a riveting documentary that investigates the true story of Stewart "Boetie Boer" Wilken, a serial killer who terrorized the city of Port Elizabeth from 1990 until his arrest in 1992. Now playing on Showmax.
in the horror genre, "The Boogeyman" tells the chilling story of Sophie (Sophie Thatcher) and her younger brother Lee (David Dastmalchian), who are haunted by the shadowy figure of their dead mother after a tragic accident. With the help of an eccentric teen companion, they must confront their fears and unravel the mystery surrounding their mother's death to find peace. Now on Showmax.
"Book Club: The Next Chapter" follows a group of friends who take their book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure. Now in theaters.
"Butterfly Tale" is an inspiring animated adventure about a gutsy and loveable one-winged butterfly named Patrick who embarks on a journey to find his place in the world. Along the way, he meets new friends, overcomes obstacles, and learns the true meaning of friendship and belonging. Now on Showmax.
In this suspenseful and gripping thriller, a woman (Cate Blanchett) discovers that she has been living a double life without her knowledge, and must uncover the truth behind the secrets that have been kept from her. "Cat Person" is streaming now on Showmax.
taking inspiration from the classic tale of Red Riding Hood, "Cats in the Museum" tells the story of a group of cats tasked with protecting valuable artwork in a museum from a cunning varmint. With the help of their human friend, they must outwit the scheming rodent and protect the treasured masterpieces at all costs. Now playing in cinemas.
"Cocaine Bear" is a dark comedy that tells the true story of a drug smuggler's cargo plane crashing in the woods, spilling a large amount of cocaine everywhere, and leading to a dangerous and chaotic battle between law enforcement, criminals, and the animal kingdom. Now in theaters.
based on the acclaimed novel by William Golding, "The Demon Headmaster" follows a group of students at an elite boarding school who are terrorized by their headmaster, who has a hidden identity as a demon. With the help of a mysterious visitor, they must uncover the truth behind the headmaster's true nature and stop his reign of terror. Coming soon to Netflix.
In this action-packed superhero adventure, a young man (Dwayne Johnson) navigates the challenges of balancing his responsibilities as a police officer with his newfound powers as a superhero known as Black Adam. With the help of anti-hero-turned-hero Hawkman, he embarks on a mission to protect Earth and fight against those who seek to destroy it. Now in theaters.
In this psychological thriller, a renowned neurologist (Nicole Kidman) is lawsuit against her former lover (Colin Farrell) for negligent misconduct in the treatment of a patient who then committed suicide. As the case unfolds, the protagonist's life begins to unravel, and she starts to doubt her own reliability and sanity. Now on Showmax.
In this sci-fi movie, an astrophysicist (Jennifer Lawrence) and a team of astronauts journey to the mysterious Planet Proxima b in search of extraterrestrial life. However, they discover that the planet is not as uninhabited as they had originally believed, and must navigate their way through a dangerous and unfamiliar world to complete their mission and return home. "The Fortress" is streaming now on Showmax.
Inspired by the true story of the Enron scandal, "The Inseparables" tells the story of a group of friends who must confront the consequences of their actions when they are caught up in a web of corporate corruption. With the help of some unexpected allies, they must fight for justice and expose the truth. Now playing on Showmax.
Based on the classic fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid" tells the story of a young mermaid who longs to experience life on land and falls in love with a prince. With the help of a powerful sea witch, she makes a deal to become human, but must navigate the complicated dynamics of love, family, and betrayal in her quest to find her true identity. Now on Disney+.
In this heartwarming drama, a boy (Chilik Henry) learns that he is the only surviving member of his family after a plane crash and must come to terms with his grief. Along the way, he encounters a series of mentors and learns valuable lessons about faith, resilience, and the power of community. Now on Showmax.
In this horror film, a woman (Emily Watson) becomes haunted by a sinister presence after moving into her dream home in the countryside. As she starts to experience increasingly disturbing events, she must confront her darkest fears and uncover the truth behind the house's chilling history. Now playing on Showmax.
Based on the beloved children's book series, "The Giver of Stars" tells the story of a young woman (Julianne Moore) in Depression-era America who leaves her old life behind to join a traveling library service, delivering books to the poor, isolated people of Appalachia. Along the way, she forms unlikely friendships and discovers the power of literature to change lives. Now on Netflix.
In "This Time Last Summer," a group of best friends reunite for a summer vacation in a remote cabin, seeking to escape their troubles and reconnect with each other. However, as they reminisce about their past and confront the changes that have taken place in their lives, they realize that they must deal with the issues that brought them together in the first place in order to truly move forward. Now on Showmax.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Kevin Kwan, "The Wedding Song" tells the story of a young woman (Cristine Rose) who must navigate a complicated web of family dynamics and cultural expectations as she plans her extravagant wedding to a wealthy man (Winston Chao) in Singapore. Along the way, she uncovers secrets about her family's past and learns valuable lessons about love, family, and tradition. Now on Netflix.
In the world of sports analysis, Franklin Fausti has an unexpected edge after his time-traveling experience, allowing him to predict sports-betting outcomes with a newfound precision. Meanwhile, on the film set of "A Good Person", Zach Braff praises Florence Pugh's powerful performance for depicting the emotional and physical struggles of a woman finding her way through life, drawing connections with the athlete's relentless journey to improve.
