Unraveling the Chronicles: 'Beauty and the Bester' on Netflix - South African True Crime Drama with Unconventional Twists and Turns
In the realm of true-crime documentaries, the latest addition to the genre, "Beauty and the Bester," is now accessible on Netflix. The series, reminiscent of popular documentaries like "Making a Murderer" and "American Nightmare," explores the life of Thabo Bester, colloquially known as the "Facebook rapist."
The documentary is a well-researched recap of events, avoiding sensationalist tones, and features interviews with a psychologist, journalists, a judge, friends, family, and coworkers of Bester and his alleged accomplice, Nandipha Magudumana. One notable interview is with Pearl Thusi, who survived an encounter with Bester in 2011.
The series is organized in a somewhat cluttered and confusing manner, but it manages to captivate the audience with its engaging narrative. The documentary jumps between 2012, when journalist Megan Baadjies interviewed Bester in prison, and 2022, when Judge Edwin Cameron determined that evidence didn't suggest suicide after a fire broke out in Bester's cell in Manguang Correctional Centre, his body was found burned beyond recognition beneath the mattress.
One of the standout moments in the documentary is Judge Cameron's revelation. He leaked information to the press, leading to the case being reopened as a murder investigation. Judge Cameron is identified as a key figure in the documentary for opening the door for the press to expose a coverup.
The documentary also features comparisons to the infamous duo Bonnie and Clyde, as Bester and Magudumana's story unfolds. Magudumana, a celebrity cosmetic surgeon, turned up at Manguang for Bester's body, claiming to be his common-law wife. However, a photo of Magudumana with a man in 2022, and a colleague identifies the man as TK, not Thabo Bester.
Magudumana's parents and some of her colleagues testify that she wasn't acting at all like herself in 2022. Adding to the mystery, Magudumana had taken on a new business partner named TK Nkwana, and began neglecting her regular business ventures.
Before his alleged suicide in 2022, Bester staged his death with the help of a doctor to escape from prison. The documentary series aims to reveal fresh, new material in its final two episodes, such as Magudumana's motive for getting involved with Bester and details of the prison escape.
John Serba, a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recommends the series for streaming. With its professional production values, featuring talking heads and archival materials, "Beauty and the Bester" is a must-watch for true-crime enthusiasts. The documentary is tagged as a true-crime series on Netflix, and is now available for streaming.
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