Welcome to Friday Five… your go-to guide for all the lekker things lighting up my week. From mind-blowing movies to must-watch series, epic tunes, and cocktails that double as entertainment, this is where I share the good stuff so you can skip the meh and dive straight into the magic.
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 March 2025) – Ahhh, Friday Five! The column I get to fill with all the good things I’m currently obsessed with… movies, series, books, games, music, restaurants and everything in between.
It’s a little slice of joy that I get to share with you every week (or, you know, whenever I manage to get my life together).
This is where I tell you about the best things to watch, listen to, and experience because, let’s be honest, life is too short to waste time on bad entertainment and boring places.
I’m lucky enough to get invited to movie premieres, attend exclusive series previews, try new restaurants before they open to the public and sip on cocktails that arrive at my table in a smoking cauldron. And this? This is where I share it all with you.
So, let’s get straight into it. This week’s Friday Five is packed with suspense, cocktails and a little reminder to be kinder to yourself.
🎬 Movies Worth Watching (Or, You Know, Skipping)
🍿 Companion: The Thriller That Keeps You Guessing
A weekend getaway. A cabin in the woods. A group of friends. You think you know where this is going but trust me, you don’t.
Companion takes the classic horror-thriller setup and shatters it. Well, kind of. It lures you in with familiarity, then throws you off balance with twist after twist. Just when you think you’ve figured it out. BOOM. Another little twist.
That’s the reason I am not sharing the trailer.
Sophie Thatcher is phenomenal, delivering a gripping performance that keeps you hooked. No cheap jump scares, just smart, edge-of-your-seat storytelling.
Related Story
Go in blind. Hold on tight. And prepare to have all the fun. Available to rent on your favourite streaming service (Apple TV, Google and PRIME).
🍿 Captain America: Brave New World – A Setup, Not a Showstopper
Alright, let’s talk about Captain America: Brave New World. The internet is not being kind to this one. Some are calling it a letdown, others are saying it’s proof that Marvel has lost its spark. But is it really that bad? No. I don’t think so. Is it the best Marvel movie? Absolutely not. But is it the flaming disaster some critics are making it out to be? Also no. It’s just… fine. And honestly? That’s okay.
Here’s the thing… we need to stop treating every Marvel movie like it has to be the next Endgame. Some films are there to close chapters, others are there to build them. And that’s exactly what I think Brave New World does. It’s a bridging film, laying the groundwork for whatever massive shift is coming next in the MCU.
Is it the most exciting superhero movie of the year? No. But does it still offer solid action, some good character moments and a glimpse at what’s to come? Absolutely.
If you walk in expecting a masterpiece, you’ll leave disappointed. But if you’re just looking for a decent superhero flick to enjoy with some popcorn? You’ll have a good time.
Now in cinemas.
📺 Series You Should Be Watching
🌷 Grosse Pointe Garden Society – Murder, Mischief and Hydrangeas
A garden club. Four people. And, oh ja, murder.
If you love shows packed with suburban secrets, scandalous affairs, and just the right amount of dark humour, Grosse Pointe Garden Society is about to become your next obsession. Think “Desperate Housewives” with a splash of “How to Get Away with Murder”, where well-manicured lawns and carefully pruned roses hide some very messy drama.
The premise? A group of prim and proper garden club members get tangled up in something far more sinister than flower arranging. And somehow, while dodging chaos and covering their tracks, they still manage to keep their hydrangeas looking immaculate.
I’m two episodes in, and I love it. It’s stylish, it’s smart, and it’s got that perfect balance of mystery, humour, and just enough over-the-top ridiculousness to keep you completely hooked. If you’re a fan of high-stakes drama wrapped in suburban perfection, this one is a must-watch. Coming soon to DStv and Showmax.
⚖️ Suits: LA – A Fresh Take on the Suits Universe
Suits is back, and this time, it’s bringing its legal drama and razor-sharp dialogue to the City of Angels.
This spin-off introduces us to Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor who’s built a powerhouse law firm specialising in criminal and entertainment law (fans may remember him from the original Suits). It’s a new cast, a new city, and a new flavour of legal warfare but the Suits DNA is still very much intact.
What I love about it? The energy. It’s got the same fast-paced, high-pressure vibes as the original Suits, but with the added glitz and drama of LA.
It’s coming soon to DStv and Showmax, and if you are a fan of the original series, I can tell you that you’re going to love it.
🎥 American Murder: Gabby Petito – A Heartbreaking Must-Watch
This one is tough.
American Murder: Gabby Petito is not your typical true-crime docuseries. It’s raw. It’s painful. And it’s deeply personal. Told through the voices of those who knew her best, this series pieces together the tragic events leading up to Gabby’s murder, offering insight into the devastating reality of domestic violence and the complexities of media coverage in high-profile cases.
It’s not an easy watch, but it’s an important one. It forces us to confront hard truths, to listen to the voices that often go unheard, and to ask difficult questions about the systems that fail so many. If you’re a true-crime fan, this is one to add to your list. But more than that, it’s a story that needs to be told. Now streaming on Netflix.
🎵 What I’m Listening To
🎶 Griff – “Last Night’s Mascara”
Okay, so technically, this isn’t a new song, but the music video just dropped and it’s beautiful.
If you haven’t heard of Griff, let me introduce you. Sarah Faith Griffiths (aka Griff) is a Brit Award-winning Gen-Z pop star who is shaking up the industry with her dreamy vocals, heartfelt lyrics and insane production skills. She’s worked with some of the biggest names in music, and honestly, she’s the kind of artist who makes you stop and really listen.
Go watch the music video. And while you’re at it, check out a few of my other favourites from her.
🍴 Places to Go: Cocktails, Chaos & A 60-Page Menu
🍸 Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen (V&A Waterfront)
Tucked next to Ferryman’s Irish Tavern, this little cocktail bar is an absolute vibe.
The menu? 60 pages long. The drinks? Outrageous. And fun.
Ever had a cocktail made with “Teddy Bear Tears”? Well, now’s your chance. It’s over-the-top, slightly ridiculous and exactly the kind of drink experience you didn’t know you needed. If you’re in Cape Town, make a stop here. Order something theatrical. And enjoy every single sip.
❤️🩹 One More Thing: Give Yourself Some Grace
So, let’s talk about slipping up. It’s Sunday. My Friday Five is two days late. I messed up. I also failed Lent four days in.
I ate the chocolate. I drank the wine. I doom-scrolled instead of reading. I forgot to meditate because I was too busy overthinking. Okay, maybe not all of those. But you get the point. And for a minute? I felt kak. That little voice in my head was loud. Judgmental. Overly dramatic. (Me? Dramatic?! Never. LOL.)
But then, I stopped. Because here’s the thing: I showed up. I tried. I ticked off a to-do list that felt endless. I made progress. I even did a HYROX class that left me with a “roastie” (which, by the way, is eina).
And yet… that one mistake? That tiny misstep? It almost drowned out everything else. Why do we do that to ourselves? Why do we let one oops moment carry more weight than all the wins? We are our own worst critics. That little voice in our heads? It’s like an over-caffeinated personal trainer who never takes a day off.
But maybe, just maybe, that little mistake isn’t actually the problem.
Maybe it’s a reminder. That life isn’t about some impossible version of perfection but rather about space.
I literally wrote about making space the other day… and somehow, I forgot to take my own advice.
So, let’s make space.
Space for joy. For laughter. For kindness. For naps. For a cheeky glass of wine on a Tuesday.
And maybe, just maybe, the endless list of things I expect myself to achieve is actually getting in the way of living. Maybe in trying to be perfect, I’ve left no room to just be human.
So here’s my advice for today: if you’ve fallen short, take a breath. Look at the bigger picture. Laugh it off. Dust yourself off. And start again. But this time, with a little more kindness for yourself… and maybe a little less pressure to become the next self-help guru by Monday. Because life isn’t about getting it right every time.
It’s about progress. Growth. Reflection. And grace. Not just for others. But for yourself too.
Space and grace baby. Welcome to my Sunday Sermon.
Now go watch something amazing, listen to something beautiful, and if you’re in Cape Town, order a ridiculous cocktail and toast to being human.
That’s this week’s Friday Five. Over and out.
by 