Fridays are for good vibes, great stories and a little reminder that life still has sparkle. And The Friday Five is your weekly cheat sheet to all the lekker things lighting up my world right now, from binge-worthy series to unexpected joy in the smallest places.
South Africa (04 April 2025) – It’s Friday… and that means it’s time for The Friday Five!
This is not just a list. It’s not just a quick scroll. It’s the place where we celebrate the lekker things in life. Movies that make you shout at your screen, series that steal your sleep, music that lives rent-free in your head, places that soothe your soul and yes, a little moment to take a breath amid the noise. It’s one of my favourite features on Good Things Guy because, well, I get to share the things that I am loving right now… and hopefully help you find something new to smile about too.
You see, I often get invited to movie premieres before the popcorn machines are even warmed up. I’m lucky enough to attend events, launches, pre-releases and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks. And instead of keeping all of that to myself, this is where I dish it out. No gatekeeping here. Just a Friday-sized slice of everything good.
So, grab a cuppa, maybe a biscuit (or a gin – we don’t judge here) and let’s dive into the Friday Five together.
🎬 Movies To Watch This Weekend (or not)
🍿 Flight Risk
Okay, let’s start with this: Yes, it’s over-the-top. Yes, some of the plot twists make no logical sense. And yes, I absolutely loved it.
Flight Risk is your classic action thriller where a pilot is tasked with transporting an Air Marshal and a fugitive across the wild Alaskan skies. Sounds simple, right? Think again. Not everyone on board is who they say they are and the suspense builds quicker than your Uber Eats order when you’re hangry.
It’s fast-paced, action-packed and exactly the kind of Friday-night flick where you don’t need to overthink things. Plot holes? Sure. But I went along for the ride and I had a damn good time. Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Now available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Google Movies.
🍿 Holland
Eish. I really wanted to like this. It had all the ingredients for something juicy… a quaint town, a seemingly perfect life, Nicole Kidman (who I LOVE) and a dark secret hidden beneath the tulips. But unfortunately, it just didn’t land.
The strong opening completely dissolves into a slow burn that doesn’t quite ignite. It’s the cinematic version of getting ready for a party that ends up being cancelled. Disappointing, but hey, we don’t love everything. And that’s okay.
Now available on Amazon Prime (if you want to judge it for yourself),
🍿 The Life List
Now this is the pick-me-up we all need. If you’re a sucker for a 90s-style romcom, this one’s got your name written all over it.
The story follows a woman who starts ticking off childhood goals from an old life list, after her mother kind of gives her an ultimatum, and ends up on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. You know what’s going to happen… but you still want to see how it unfolds. It’s got heart, charm, a few cheesy moments (in the best way) and the kind of soft-serve happiness that makes you want to believe in big dreams and second chances again.
Loved it. 10/10 would recommend (with popcorn and a fluffy blanket).
Now available on Netflix.
📺 Series To Binge This Weekend
🙃 Happy Face
Based on the real-life story of Melissa Jesperson-Moore, who discovered at age 15 that her father was the infamous Happy Face Killer, this series is absolutely gripping.
It dives deep into the emotional turmoil, the complexities of identity and the impossible choices that follow a life-altering revelation like that. But it’s not just about the crime… it’s about a daughter reclaiming her story. It’s powerful, raw, and thought-provoking. Clear your weekend for this one. You’ll be hooked.
Now streaming on Paramount+. Coming soon to DStv.
🎥 The Studio
Where do I even begin? This is, without a doubt, one of the best shows of 2025 so far.
Set inside a legendary Hollywood movie studio, The Studio is a smart, slick look at the clash between art and business. It’s funny, clever, poignant and painfully accurate if you’ve ever worked in a creative field. The characters are layered, the writing is on point… it’s the kind of show that makes you think while you’re laughing. Add to your watchlist immediately.
Now streaming on AppleTV+.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Good American Family
A Midwestern couple adopts a child they believe has dwarfism… but the situation unravels into something far more bizarre, tragic and mind-bending.
Yes, you’ve seen this story before, whether in Horror (Orphan) or documentary form (The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace), but this feels way more dramatic. And I guess cause it’s a drama.
It’s a tough watch at times and seeing “Meredith Grey” (yes, our beloved Ellen Pompeo) in a completely different role takes some adjustment. But once you’re in, you’re in. The drama is intense and the storytelling is next-level. It’s a wild ride… but a good one.
Now streaming on Hulu. Coming soon to DStv.
🎧 Music That’s On Repeat
Kesha is back, and she’s not playing around. She’s pre-released three tracks from her upcoming album. One that’s already been out for a while and two fresh ones that I can’t stop listening to.
You know those songs that instantly feel like they were written just for you? Yeah. That. Go give them a listen and thank me later.
Also, I’ve now curated all these gems into a playlist on Apple Music! So if you’re looking for good vibes and soulful sounds to accompany your day, give it a spin. (Apologies to my Spotify peeps, but I’m team Apple.) Trust me, you’ll want these tracks on repeat all weekend.
🥂 Places To Go
Cape Town locals will know this gem, but if you’re visiting the Mother City or looking for a weekend adventure, let me tell you about Noordhoek Farm Village.
It’s got everything. Seriously. A charming village vibe, epic food, live entertainment, a laid-back pub and some of the best coffee and ice cream you’ll find in the Cape. You can spend the whole day wandering, tasting, shopping and just being.
The peeps sitting on the lawn with their pups as the sun set totally did it for me.
The best part is that Franck Dangereux (yes, that Franck of La Colombe fame), has brought his next-level culinary wizardry to The Foodbarn Café & Tapas right here. I got to eat there and it was MAGICAL. The food was out of this world. Add Café Roux’s live music, a boutique hotel with a secret underground bar and the chillest village vibe and you’ve got the perfect weekend spot.
🗞️ One More Thing
We need to talk about the elephant in the room. The VAT increase. You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve read the memes. Maybe you’ve ranted in your WhatsApp group. Same.
Look, I’m not an economist and I’m definitely not a politician. I didn’t major in budgets or balancing the national books. I’m not even entirely sure where to find the spreadsheet. But I do know when something feels off.
Even a 0.5% increase in VAT might sound small on paper but it’s going to creep into every corner of our lives. Quietly. Steadily.
Bread. Petrol. Electricity. Airtime. School shoes.
It’s already tough out there… and this just adds another layer.
Maybe it’s necessary. Maybe it’s not. I don’t know.
What I do know is that most South Africans are stretching their cents harder than ever. So, wherever you are reading this, I hope you’ve got what you need today. A warm meal. A quiet moment. A full tank. A charged phone. A paid bill. A small win.
And if you do… maybe we can all take this moment to add 0.5% more kindness into the world.
I’m calling it LekkerVAT. Cause ja, our government might be kak… but we don’t have to be.
So whatever happens with the VAT. Please keep being kind to each other.
Until next Friday… stay kind, stay curious and keep chasing the good things.
by 