Kings of Jo'burg (2020– ) User Reviews

Badly edited

[brainwerx-1 · 4/10 · 29 January 2023]

This series is a disaster. They're trying their best to make it into a series about a power struggle. The problem is that you can't get past the poor editing. Cuts that make no sense. Scenes that begin and end randomly. Many of which seem to be there because they didn't know what else to do. It's almost like they shot the entire series in a random way, and edited it that way.

The characters were hard to like. Regardless. This is due to the poor editing, but also the mediocre writing. This show has potential. A lot of it. But, due to the poor writing and messy editing it never reaches its potential.

Not fish nor bird

[moni-sigrist-198-388050 · 4/10 · 11 December 2020]

It started nicely. But got soon very boring. It almost looks as if it has a sort of product placements inside. I cannot take it for serious. I would love to write any better.

So Much Potential!

[gamacaesar · 4/10 · 14 December 2020]

This show would've been way better if the characters actually spoke a language they are comfortable with!

A great concept poorly executed.

[fadzaimichaelmangwana · 2/10 · 18 December 2020]

There is too much going on to the point that it is hard to follow and all these storylines do not all tie together in the end which can be a good thing if the other characters were that significant in the show but they were not.

There is a supernatural storyline which feels like a gimmick the entire show until the last scene. The very last scene of the show gives this storyline the weight it did not have the entire show. There is a love story between Mo and the girl. That storyline had the most potential and it is painful to watch its greatest twists be " well, I didn't see that coming" kind of twists instead of " OH MY GOD, I DIDNT SEE THAT COMING!!!!". Due to the excessive amount of story in the show, it does not get enough time to breathe and let our minds wander. There is not enough tension build-up to make the resolution have weight and meaning. The last scene of the last episode was supposed to be shocking and powerful and thought-provoking but it fails to achieve that. You will end up saying its a nice twist but it's supposed to be a powerful scene. The story fails because of not understanding what its central conflict is and prioritising it. Is it the conflict between two brothers or is it the conflict between the lead character and the supernatural being or is it the conflict between the lead character and his work subordinates? Its okay to have them all as long as we know what the main dish is. In the end, it seems very clear where they are going but the is little influence from the other storylines, so when something major happens we don't truly know how it's going to affect other characters and storylines. If a show is going to be that busy, something must come out of it for us who are paying attention to every detail. Basically its storylines from a soap opera that were squished into six episodes so everything is everywhere.

Some characters feel like plot movement and exposition tools especially the character of Simon Masire's sister. The secret family characters are also a plot moving device. then there is a lot of characters being brought but they don't add much and they fall into the plot-moving-device rabbit hole, characters like the American assassin dude, the Nigerian convict dude as well as the Tsholofelo Mashaba character. She was a character so much potential considering the backstory they hinted at but she gets sacrificed for the development of the Mo character which does not do much. The daughter storyline serves that purpose.

There are many other problems in the show like how a person has to say f$%k every five minutes which makes the word lose the emphasis it is supposed to add, the tone of the show which was clashing with its cinematography, the English in the show, the acting on Shona Ferguson's part which made me feel like either he was directing himself poorly or the directors were afraid of him and many more.

What kills me is that Kings of Jo'burg had the potential to be the greatest show to ever come out of South Africa. It could have become South Africa's own Breaking bad but it suffers from not having clear themes within its storylines and straight forward direction and producers with a bigger budget better show mentality.

10 out of 10 ,are you people for real ?

[clayshamz · 3/10 · 5 January 2021]

I love the Ferguson's. And I was really looking forward to watching this . Apart from it being poorly pieced and patched up , it still had too many holes . I felt like the showrunners didn't care how poorly some scenes come out . Probably because they've become overconfident in their works which is leading to this much complacency. They could have done better . Otherwise it doesn't even deserve a 3 . It has laziness written all over it .

Really enjoyed it

[baska_ct · 7/10 · 9 December 2020]

Did not expect much, but was surprised I liked it so much, good cliff hanger ending hope they have season 2.

Baking with half the ingredients and pulling it out the oven 5 mins in

[sennethabo · 3/10 · 13 September 2021]

The concept is great but terribly executed, a lot of over acting and bad acting, it just felt rushed, no consistency and a lot of holes but i know as a South African it might be a hit with the audience but i think as a complete body of work it needs work.

Solid

[brandonneicke · 8/10 · 9 December 2020]

There is some really good acting and some not so good acting. But the 2 or 3 main characters are really good. I don't know the actors name but the guy getting out of jail with the family is actually A really good Actor. I stick around mostly to watch him although a couple of the other main characters are good and the story is descent. I don't know I'm only on episode 2 but I'm gonna stick around cause it's got some strong points

Best Netflix Original From South Africa

[zsivhabu · 7/10 · 5 December 2020]

This is by far the best netflix South Africa original. The plot is on point, the acting is amazing, there's a lot of action. Honestly I don't understand all the negative reviews. I just finished watching all the episodes! Happy! Thanks for producing such a hit Netflix!!!

Nope, not worth it

[zathan-32848 · 2/10 · 5 December 2020]

Almost completed a full episode, but this is not good. Acting is bad, the plot is boring. the production seems professional though.

Kings deliver on international crime drama

[katanamarketinggroup · 10/10 · 6 December 2020]

Thoroughly enjoyed season one of the series. The acting was good, the characters were well cast and believable, coupled with a compelling plot that prompted me to binge watch the initial six episodes. Filmed on location in beautiful South Africa, I was impressed by the effort that the entire writing and production team put into the project that effectively captures the lives and loves of a crime family along with revealing layers of the SA underworld . I encourage those that can appreciate a good crime drama to give the series a chance beyond episode one, and the remaining segments will deliver an engaging and entertaining story with plenty of twist. Kudos, looking forward to season 2.

I enjoyed this

[ykpmkbtgt · 7/10 · 9 February 2021]

I don't expect all African movies to be 100. The acting wasn't bad. It's not excellent either. It's a interesting show to watch. I enjoy watching International shows more than American. See more people of color on the screen is great. What I like most was the thrill of the show. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions about this show. I want to like to see more and a little less confusion on the storylines.

It's OK to like it but don't dismiss how messy it is

[sidevercontent · 2/10 · 25 January 2021]

This is a mess Scenes just end without doing anything to advance the plot forward There are too many characters who aren't developed at all and the editing is so bad that a YouTube could do a batter job It looked ugly and I believe it was intentional but instead of looking gritty it looks lifeless and without character and the acting ranged from good to really bad

Couldn't make it through 1 episode, fake reviews galore

[Xavier_Stone · 1/10 · 7 December 2020]

Very hard to watch as it's boring, slow and lots of poor acting. Plenty of dead air, and overacting as well. Almost looks like a parody. Every character is a tough guy and the dramatic pauses in dialogue drive me up the wall, just spit it your lines for god sakes.

Jordan Peele Do Something With This!!

[jewelleidlett · 4/10 · 11 April 2021]

Execution was poor. The concept is very good and different. I like the folk lore of the ancestors along with the crime drama. It just needs better writing and overall delivery of the production. Come on Jordan, take a look.

African Good fellas

[pcd-6 · 7/10 · 11 February 2023]

The series started slow but as you put together all the details back stories, personal tragedy you realize its like any other tv drama. You will really like some characters and really hate others. Its good vs evil in a family that makes money in some illegal ways but deep down they all have their own demons they wrestle with daily.

I liked how they combine tradition and modern changes, scenery is good, clothes are stylish and music is hot.there are some subtitles but not enough to detract from story.

Netflix does a good job with shows from other countries that can cross over to people almost anywhere.

Eish, I'm disappointed.

[meryllengana · 5/10 · 29 January 2023]

Let's give credit to Mo for his brilliant performance and a few other characters. The storyline truly didn't come together. I wanted more superhero action and less poor acting. The paid ads on the series were irritating me, the execution of it was not great. It was too on your face. The last episode had all the ingredients that the series should have had in the beginning. The introduction of the storyline was taking too long to unfold. Some scenes were insignificant to even make it to the story.

Good luck with Season 3 and hoping that the production really consider some of the critics and turn the next season into something spectacular.

Very good series

[patricepasley · 10/10 · 9 December 2020]

This was a really good series!!! I enjoyed it. The production and acting were good, it kept my attention. I finished it in two days. Hopefully it gets renewed because i would love to see more.

Not bad at all but better can be achieved

[sepomwangala · 6/10 · 27 June 2023]

I really liked season one and I would rightfully give it an 8/10. After watching it, I was looking forward watching season 2. Season 2 is a bit lacking compared to season 1 but I watched it till the end which means it's also not bad and I can give it 6/10.

For the first episode although I like all the casts as I have watched them in other series, I feel the late Shona Ferguson was exceptional. I enjoyed the storyline.

As for season 2, I feel the storyline could have developed better than it did. It felt a bit disorganized. How ever I am glad Connie joined the set.

Overall, I think all the cast members did very well 👍

Painful acting 1 star to balance the fake reviews

[andylev-40916 · 1/10 · 31 October 2021]

An unoriginal story that could have taken an hour.

Boring storyline and dull script.

1 good actor the rest just there for the "fame" Same backdrop to the fantastic "District 9" so the potential is over there.

Great to hear a diversity of languages. Shame that the country I have grown to love created this drivel. 2 star to balance the fake reviews.

Loved it!

[legra66 · 10/10 · 9 December 2020]

Refreshing seeing an all African cast in a quality shot movie.

Well worth a watch

[hibbittsian · 7/10 · 7 July 2021]

Really good storyline done good acting and some bac but enjoyed it!

I'm hoping there's a second series.

Lokshin Bioskop with a HIGH BUDGET

[sambojase · 2/10 · 12 January 2024]

I am not one to hate-watch but yoh! I didn't think this could get any worse than the last season. I guess you can't (as an actor) do justice to bad writing and directing because no one, AND I MEAN NO ONE can pull such A-LISTERS and still make a bad show as this, REALLY BLOWS MY MIND!

This had so much potential, the kinda show you'd hope would give you "I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING" moments, but this is so predictable, waste of my time.

And to all those rating it 10/10, YOU GUYS HAVE BAD TASTE! Watch more stuff, preferably US production because we really need to take a page outta their book and do better ngl.

A mediocre show!

[beso-langa · 1/10 · 8 July 2022]

The reason season 2 never happened is because this show is so subpar. The storylines are messed up, the acting is too pathetic, the production design is nonexistent. So much is wrong here.

There is no emotional hook. The characters are fuzzy and unrealistic, the witch craft subplot was an indication of poor creativity and lazy writing. This show should never have been made.

CHILD KILLERS

[thebankruptcyclinic · 1/10 · 31 January 2023]

The writers had no problem killing off the little children. It would have been good to see Mo have a relationship with his daughter because he had none with his son. Instead she's killed off as soon as she makes an appearance. Then the writers kill of Simon's son. We never see the face of Terry Vaughn anymore but you could tell by the body shape and skin color, that was not Terry Vaughn being killed in the abandon warehouse. I don't like when writers take their viewers for granted.

In addition, the writing / script is all over the place. Too much going on but not coming together. Too much killing off of main characters.