Tuiskoms Review
Director: Nina Swart
Date Created: 2025-03-01 23:27
4
Tuiskoms Review: Directed by Nina Swart and created by Louis Pretorius and Albert Snyman, this seven-episode South African drama stars Amalia Uys, Michelle Botes, Jane De Wet, and others. The show follows Widow Fleur, who is clinging to the last thing of her deceased husband’s—his restaurant—when a bizarre accident blows it to smithereens. She loses the restaurant, her reputation is in tatters, and now, she has no choice but to move in with her parents in Wilderness with her teenage daughter. What follows is a story of loss, renewal, and the complicated relationships of three generations of women.
Tuiskoms Review
When I first heard about Netflix’s Tuiskoms, I thought, “Great, another predictable ‘woman gets a fresh start in a small town’ tale.” But this one caught me off guard. It’s so full of heart, layered storytelling, and subtle depth that sneaks up on you.
One of the best things about Tuiskoms series is that it never attempts to make some grand feminist declaration—it simply tells the real, messy, and very relatable tales of women at various points in their lives. Fleur is in her own denial, refusing to let go of her husband’s death, and attempting to demonstrate that she can still keep it all together. Her mother, Abigail, is struggling on her own front, and Kelly, Fleur’s teenage daughter, is torn in the middle, trying to find her own place in this new life that they’ve all been thrust into.
What I adore is that these women are allowed to be imperfect without being defined by their imperfections. Fleur is stubborn and sometimes infuriating, Abigail does stupid things, and Kelly has the kind of teenage mood swings that have you both sympathizing and eye-rolling at the same time. But this is what makes them human. They don’t always make the right choice, they get things wrong, and sometimes they hurt each other—but in the end, you can feel the love between them.
Grief is hard to depict. It’s too melodramatic or too understated to be believable, but this South Africa series Tuiskoms does that delicate balancing act. Fleur’s grief is not just about missing her husband—it’s in the clinging, talking herself into being all right when she isn’t, and not wanting to believe that moving on is forgetting. There is no one dramatic, sensational breakdown. Rather, it’s a gradual breakdown, where reality intrudes into her life little by little until she can no longer deny it.
What is interesting is how the show mixes this with humor and lightness. As in life, sometimes things seem so hopeless, and then something ridiculous happens, and you laugh your way through it. That is the genius of Tuiskoms—it does not drown you in despair, but it does not sugarcoat the difficult times.
Also Read: Demon City Review: Bloody, Action-Packed Ride That’s Fun but Predictable
I have to call out the environment because it brings so much to the show. Wilderness town is stunning—sea views, serene streets, and that peaceful-but-suffocating small-town feel where everyone knows your name. Unlike shows that romanticize small towns into unrealistic utopias, Tuiskoms maintains a sense of reality. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s a town with complicated histories, hidden tensions, and the sort of rumors that quickly get out of control. Fleur isn’t necessarily welcomed home with open arms, and that makes her journey all the more compelling.
A production of this sort only succeeds if the acting is genuine, and Tuiskoms does exactly that. Amalia Uys is outstanding as Fleur—she doesn’t act or try to manipulate the emotions, she simply is Fleur. You can sense her rage, her exhaustion, her brief flashes of hope. She’s the sort of character that you find yourself wanting to root for, even when she’s doing it wrong.
Michelle Botes, in her last role, is unforgettable as Abigail. She is just so present on screen, Abigail is a woman who has had a full, messy life. And Jane De Wet as Kelly? Completely gets that teenage anger and love for her mom. Their dynamic is so raw and real—like people you know.
It’s also beautiful to look at. The cinematography is so good that you’ll want to grab your bags and relocate to South Africa, and the color and framing contribute so much to the narrative. And the fact that it’s in Afrikaans makes it a unique take you don’t get to see on Netflix.
The one downside? If you enjoy quick-paced plots, Tuiskoms is sometimes behind the curve. But honestly, that’s part of the fun. It makes you continue to follow the characters, engage their emotions, and actually learn about their paths.
Summing Up
I didn’t expect to like Tuiskoms as much as I did, but here I am, still ruminating about it after the latest episode. It’s emotional, well-written, and has a realistic storyline. So if you’re in the mood for a show that’s a hug but also extremely emotional, this series is one to add to your list.
Tuiskoms 2025 is now streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: Squad 36 Review: Crime Thriller That Forgot the Thrill
