Reyka

I just finished watching this show tonight, and first off I want to note that I LOVED the soundtrack. I need to find out what tracks are on the soundtrack but can't seem to find any info about it anywhere. Hopefully I'll figure it out eventually!

Secondly, the show itself was mesmerising - with an intriguing, harrowing series of storylines running parallel to each other. The landscapes of South Africa (a place I haven't visited yet) were stunning, but the main setting for the drama (the cane fields) was haunting, mysterious, and hid plenty of dark secrets.

The story of Reyka and Angus was a perfect example of that of a master manipulator attempting to pull his victim back into his web, even though years have passed since they last saw each other. He was trying until the very end, but him involving her daughter in the whole mess didn't go the way he'd thought it would.

I felt that all the actors did amazing jobs, the cinematography was breathtaking, each episode ended with a cliffhanger that kept me eager to watch more, and as I mentioned, the soundtrack was perfect. I'm still left with some questions, but that could be because I missed obvious things that would have given me answers. For instance, was the Lucy we met in the flesh actually Lucy, or was she a faux Lucy? How was Angus planning to take Reyka along for the ride?

If you are a fan of creepy murder mysteries/other mysteries, then I recommend this show for sure.

107 out of the 124 ratings are from single use accounts whos sole IMDB activity is uprating this series with a ten.

Four of the five reviews are clearly from a single individual giving this a ten and a gushing similar wording.

So the legit rating for this series is more on the order of 3.5

Now to the review. A fair amount of good entertainment production is coming out of south Africa. Certainly "Troy: fall of a city" was well done, and had some very talented acting. And the lead of this, Ian Glenn, is a good actor.

That said this series is stunningly cliche filled and predictable. It is also preachy. I give it a 3/10/

I'm not sure why this series got so many poor reviews. It was suspenseful, unique, disturbing and overwhelming throughout. I felt like the only thing I felt was missing was her connect to her kidnapper that would make her a good detective or ask him about cases. I guess I missed that or they didn't tell it otherwise I enjoyed it. I loved seeing many of the African actors from other shows, I believe the acting was very good. The blending of tribal language and ways were easy to follow and place at the times if felt genuine. I'm not sure if they plan a series 2 but a show from this writer is one I would watch again.

The Cane Field Killings: South African crime drama. Reyka who was herself abducted as a child in 1994 and held for 4 years is now (in 2021) a profiler who tracks down serial killers. Her latest case is complicated by a land deal between a white farmer and a local Zulu chief. Her boss wants a quick resolution blaming hitmen but Reyka is unconvinced. All seven victims are young women, they have been dismembered. Witchcraft, traditional power systems, corruption, all feed in to this narrative as does Reyka's troubled personal and her confrontations with her abductor who is seeking parole. Switches between the present and Reyka's time in captivity, Great performance by Kim Engelbert as Reyka and Iain Glen as Speelman, her abductor, Dark, violent, gruesome, very effective and engaging thriller series. Created by Rohan Dickson 8/10.

I liked this show a lot. I'm surprised by the poor reviews. It was interesting right from the first episode. Keeps you guessing and it is not "cheesy" at all. Very good acting. Also, I love the South African accent so that's a bonus to hear! You won't be disappointed.