Crossing the blue line: 'Teacup' serves up a sci-fi brew of suspense and danger
Image: Mark Hill/PEACOCK
After binge-watching a lot of homegrown movies, reality TV shows and drama of late, it was time to switch up the pace.
The glowing reviews on 'Teacup' compelled me to check out the eight-part Showmax series.
Inspired by Robert McCammon's bestselling novel, 'Stinger', it is set in the scenic countryside of Georgia, where the neighbours come together after finding themselves unable to cross a blue line around them.
The series evokes a dystopian atmosphere characterised by panic, a sense of helplessness, and enforced acts of heroism.
Think of offerings like 'Leave the World Behind', 'Paradise', 'Wayward Pines', 'The Outsider', '12 Monkeys' and 'Under the Dome'.
Episode one left me fascinated with its ominous atmosphere. Something is not okay in the woods as the bodies of dead animals are strewn about.
A wounded woman is wandering about, looking very dazed.
And then Arlo Chenoweth (Cabel Dolden), a curious little boy, is attacked by something.
Meanwhile, back on the family farm, his veterinarian mother Maggie (Yvonne Strahovski) buries the hatchet with her mother-in-law Ellen (Kathy Baker), who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.
With it being almost dinner time, Maggie checks in with her teen daughter Meryl (Emilie Bierre) and husband James (Scott Speedman) on the whereabouts of Arlo.
Unfazed at first, the family becomes unsettled when neighbouring rancher Ruben Shanley (Chaske Spencer), his wife Valeria (Diany Rodriguez) and their son Nicholas (Luciano Leroux) arrive with a badly wounded horse.
Around the same time, another neighbour, Donald Kelly (Boris McGiver), arrives with his wife seeking a lost pet.
With it getting very dark, Maggie becomes increasingly concerned about her son's well-being, only to have him return, mumbling something, and looking disoriented.
Uncertain of what's going on, everyone's immediate reaction is to get help. However, none of the vehicles would start.
And so James and Ruben head out on foot to get help. While doing so, they come across a masked man who holds up a sign warning them not to cross a blue line.
Everyone is so confused until they witness how Donald's wife's body disintegrates in front of them after unknowingly crossing the line.
Arlo, who is inhabited by a foreign entity, has a few answers. But everyone is too frazzled, looking for answers to truly pay attention.
Caleb Dolden as Arlo Chenoweth, Emilie Bierre as Meryl Chenoweth and Yvonne Strahovski as Maggie Chenoweth in 'Teacup'.
Image: Mark Hill/PEACOC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Palesa Mphaki opens up about love, and reality TV
The second season of Married at First Sight South Africa is making waves every Sunday on Mzansi Magic and Showmax. The show returns with four brave couples: Palesa Mphaki and Tshepo Miya, Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa and Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi and Bongani Luvalo. Each couple agrees to marry a stranger selected by relationship experts, according to The Citizen. This unique reality series, a spinoff from the globally acclaimed franchise. It captures their journey as they meet for the first time on their wedding day, hoping to find love. This season introduces a fresh team of experts, including marriage and relationship coach Linda Yende and others. They help guide the couples through the highs and lows of their new marriages. The show has been trending intensively, with an episode spotlighting emerging tensions between Palesa and Tshepo. Palesa revealed her worries about Tshepo's admiration for polygamy and suspects he might be unfaithful. She said, 'I didn't enter this experience out of desperation. If I want a cheating man, the streets are there.' This moment marked a pivotal point in their marriage drama, with Palesa feeling unsettled by Tshepo's behaviour. Palesa candidly shared her experience on the show: 'Watching myself on screen has been peculiar, but it has allowed me to see myself differently. People recognise me now, and I am getting used to it.' She added that the biggest challenge of marrying a stranger is uncovering sides of them you never expected. 'The polygamy conversation surprised me. I couldn't understand why he would bring it up,' she said. She also praised the storyline of her fellow couple, Makoto and Nkuleleko, appreciating how their journey challenges social perceptions. Off-camera, she maintains regular contact with some cast members but admits that her communication with Portia is nonexistent. Fans of the show can catch new episodes every Sunday at 6:30 PM on Mzansi Magic or stream them on Showmax. Palesa urges viewers to keep watching, promising, 'The storyline is full of surprises, and there's so much more to come.' This season promises compelling stories and raw emotions, reflecting the vibrant and complex nature of relationships in South Africa today. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Get ready for a risqué ride: 'Khaki Fever' turns game drives into hilarious adventures
Abel Knobel and Christopher Jaftha during a scene in 'Khaki Fever'. Image: Supplied. South Africans are renowned for their love for the bush, with Mzansi's breathtaking natural surroundings also attracting scores of travellers from across the globe. Whether it's for the chance to catch a glimpse of one of the Big 5 in action or to unwind in scenic settings under the embrace of the African sun, the nation's nature resorts are a hot commodity. Then there is the beloved South African hospitality, as well as those khaki fits, which have generated plenty of viral fashion trends. With all of this in mind, local film-maker Brett Michael Innes decided to put a comical and raunchy spin on the country's bush culture with 'Khaki Fever', a new film premiering on Showmax next month. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Anja Taljaard, Abel Knobel, Christopher Jaftha, Anja Taljaard, Sean Brebnor, Francois Jacobs and Liam Bosman in 'Khaki Fever'. Image: Supplied. The Afrikaans comedy, which Innes wrote and produced with his husband Nick Ahlers, is a labour of love. 'We just love the bush,' he told 'Independent Media Lifestyle' during an interview. 'We always go there with friends and family, and when you see 'Khaki Fever' taking off, we thought someone had to make a movie about that, and we were the ones who did it.' Innes added: 'I love a good comedy and I think that the world needs one right now. I love doing the heavier stuff, but I don't think that the world has the bandwidth to engage with too much trauma on the screen and just needs a good laugh on a Friday night.' 'Khaki Fever' centres around a group of quirky game rangers who set up a challenge to see who can have sex with the most tourists during a season. As they battle for the 'King of Khaki' title as well as the losers' collective tips from the season, the eccentric rangers will also have to outsmart the stern and rigid conservative lodge manager. Trix Vivier plays a conservative lodge manager in 'Khaki Fever'. Image: Supplied. As they get their salacious shenanigans underway, the group also face the prospect of being fired if they are caught fraternising with the guests. Drawing parallels between this movie and risqué Hollywood hits, Innes warned that this type of comedy could 'ruffle a few feathers.' 'I think that the people who enjoy this kind of humour are going to love it, so if you like 'The Hangover', 'Bridesmaids' and those types of movies, you will definitely love this one!' However, he is wary of critics. Ilse Klink in 'Khaki Fever'. Image: Supplied. 'I am expecting a mixed reception when 'Khaki Fever' is released because I know that it might offend and not impress many of the most conservative viewers, and that's fine; they don't have to push play.' 'We are not here with the necessary intention of being controversial, but you do have a group of people, where if there is even one swear word, they are upset, so this movie is definitely not for them.' Meanwhile, Innes spoke of the challenges of casting for this kind of project. 'Finding the cast was tricky because a lot of local actors either don't do sex and nudity or don't enjoy this style of humour but we had an excellent casting director which was vital for this film.' Christopher Jaftha in 'Khaki Fever'. Image: Supplied. 'We wanted to make sure that beyond the talent, that everyone was lekker because film-making is hard enough and it was a case of making sure that everyone who came to the party wanted to be at the party and we ended up creating a hub of people who got each other, who cared deeply for each other and who felt safe.' Innes was thrilled with 'Khaki Fever's' illustrious cast, which includes Saftas-nominated Christopher Jaftha alongside four 2025 Silwerskerm nominees Anja Taljaard, Trix Vivier, Liam Bosman and Ilse Klink. They are joined by other top Afrikaans stars such as Abel Knobel, Francois Jacobs, Sean Brebnor, Juanita de Villiers and Izette Blignaut, with special appearances from exquisite lions, giraffe, hyena and a runaway French bulldog named Chardonnay. 'I think that what will surprise viewers the most about the movie is the heart in it,' Innes explained. Chardonnay the French Bulldog in 'Khaki Fever'. Image: Supplied. 'The headline that people lean into is how risque it is and I don't think they are going to expect how warm they will feel at the end of this.' 'It is very heartfelt, we are not here to make people feel bad about life.' Overall, Innes hopes that 'Khaki Fever' will result in a few more offerings as it brings people from all walks of life together. 'I would really love for it to become one of the most viewed films on the streamer because we have an entire world for a second and third movie.' 'I also want to bring this family together again and have some fun in the bush!'
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Palesa Mphaki opens up about her journey on Married at First Sight South Africa
The second season of Married at First Sight South Africa has been trending on X every Sunday as one of the most talked-about shows in the country. Image: Supplied/Showmax The second season of Married at First Sight South Africa has been trending on X every Sunday as one of the most talked-about shows in the country. A spinoff from the Critics Choice-nominated franchise, the reality series follows a group of singles who agree to marry partners chosen for them by relationship experts. They meet for the first time on their wedding day, hoping to find lasting love with a complete stranger. Screened on Mzansi Magic at 6.30pm every Sunday, and also on Showmax, this season introduces a new group of experts and hopeful singles ready to take a leap of faith. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The brave couples are Palesa Mphaki and Tshepo Miya, Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa and Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi and Bongani Luvalo, who are now navigating life as married couples. In the last dramatic episode, we saw cracks starting to show in Palesa and Tshepo's marriage. Palesa suspects that her new husband, who's expressed admiration for polygamy, might be cheating on her. We recently caught up with Palesa to get the tea on joining the show, her relationship with Tshepo, and more. What made you say yes to joining Married at First Sight South Africa? I said yes to Married at First Sight South Africa for the experience, with the objective of discovering affection through an unorthodox approach. How has it been watching yourself on screen? Watching myself on screen has been a peculiar experience, yet I am grateful for the occasion to observe myself from a distinct perspective. Are people starting to recognise you in public? What's that experience been like? Yes, people are beginning to take notice of me. I'm gradually becoming accustomed to the stares and whispers that surround me. It's quite amusing to observe. I appreciate those who are bold enough to approach and acknowledge me when I'm out and about. The recognition is gratifying, and I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with it. When you first laid eyes on Tshepo at the altar, what was going through your mind? When I first laid eyes on Tshepo, I was slightly shocked. I mean, I had said I wasn't into super skinny guys but I hadn't anticipated meeting a pretty chubby dude at the altar. But hey, I know that looks aren't everything, so I was still willing to give it a shot. What's been the biggest challenge of being married to a complete stranger? The most significant challenge when it comes to being married to a stranger is the aspect of discovering their darker side, as well as gaining insight into the reasons behind their continued single status. The polygamy conversation seemed to strike a nerve. What about it triggered that reaction?The polygamy question truly took me aback. I couldn't understand why he would even bring up such a topic. What has being on the show taught you? Being on the show taught me that not everyone is completely honest in their actions and movements. It was a real eye-opener. And what has it taught you about love and relationships? It has taught me the importance of setting healthy boundaries and not allowing others to take advantage of my good nature. I have learned to stand up for myself while still being respectful and considerate of others. Overall my time on the show has been a valuable learning experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally. From the episodes that have aired so far, whose journey have you enjoyed watching the most and why? I am truly savouring and relishing the journey of Makoto and Nkululeko. There is something incredibly compelling about focusing on those who are frequently misunderstood or misjudged by society. Their stories and experiences add depth and richness to our understanding of the world, and I find great value in paying close attention to their paths. Especially because I know the show is not scripted. What's your relationship like with the other cast members off-camera? I have conversations with Makoto nearly every day, and I engage in frequent discussions with Nelisa. However, Portia's communication with me is dead. Why do you think people should keep watching your journey on the show? People should watch because the storyline is brimming with potential developments, and one can only anticipate the surprises that await those who remain vigilant and engaged. The road ahead is filled with intrigue and uncertainty. IOL
