Benutzerrezensionen

First I wanted to give it about a 6.5, I feel like the over all ratings are a wee bit low, so I went up to 7 to try to add a bit of balance.

I did not know that it is a remake of a Turkish version, so I am coming in to this blind without the ability to make that comparison.

The pace and balance of the plot and things like flash-backs I thought was great. It is well put-together. I.e., engaging, binge-able, and better than most stuff available.

Reading some of the other reviews I imagine that if you had to watch it as weekly episodes you would not enjoy it as much as binging.

The performances of most characters were great.

I don't feel like it is the sort of thing that you should try to pick apart and complain about, and instead give some credit for out-performing the majority of recent material.

Great story telling. Straightforward.

Some interesting twists.

Good to see a show from countries other than the US, giving the audience new perspectives.

Yes the acting is not that great but it doesn't undermine the show. At least, the acting is not pretentious or too much.

Good pace, not dragging.

Only a few flashbacks. (too many tend to break the story or overshoot the theme) No strange transition between episodes.

The main actress portrays the character deep and well.

TBH before watching the show I did not expect too much mostly due to the rating but 2 episodes in, I just kept watching.

I wanted to give the show a 6.5 because it is definitely more than 6, or even a 7.

The story, even though a remake, was not terrible. Quite a few head scratching, rather silly events occur throughout. However, the acting, oh, the acting... the female characters were not good, but not horrible. But, every single male character, the actors are among the worst I've ever seen. It's as though a search ensued, a casting call, seeking the worst possible male character actors in the history of film.

Yes, I powered through to the end of this six episode series, the redeeming quality is that it is only six episodes and each is less than an hour long.

Unfortunately, this has become common for Netflix. And, at a time when they are cracking down on password sharing. Maybe not a great combination.

This is one of them shows that start promising and end up in tatters. The first couple of episodes were keeping the viewer "edge if the sit", however the bad acting, coupled with ridiculous situations and bloopers made the show a terrible one. There were so many times when one asks himself "why?" that by the end it just ended up a real disappointment. I kinda missed the speed increase option on my TV to enable a faster viewing as the pace was so agonisingly slow at times.

Seems like nowadays more and more series are following in the same footsteps. Why services are choosing more and more quantity over quality?

Why take a high quality, first rate production and remake it?

The Turkish version was far more honest, the writing was stronger, and the production value and cinematography certainly supported the narrative far more than this version. Not a waste of time but certainly not a reason to justify this remake. It just tries too hard, and isn't convincing when it matters most. The underworld characters felt flat (writing to blame as much as the acting) and far too many scenes were void of conflict with uneven pacing (editing to blame here too).

Like Blood & Water before it, this comes across as a night time soap opera that lacks gravitas. Would love to know how and why so many of these far below average productions are being acquired by Netflix.

This was added to Netflix in the UK recently so I binged watched it one rainy evening.

I don't know anything about South Africa and I had no idea what this show would be about beyond the blurb written in the Netflix page.

What I found was quite an interesting and different kind of revenge / crime thriller.

Imagine, for a second, that John Wick or Nobody had been a cleaner and instead of finding the people that killed their dog or stole their kids bracelets they were looking for their partner and taking in the underworld of South Africa to do it... And that's about it in a nutshell.

An unassuming maid goes about trying to find her husband, who took the fall for a murder he didn't commit, and the murderer of her child.

Very much worth a watch. The main actress is outstanding and really brings life into the part.

As a South Africa , I eagerly anticipated viewing this television series following the alluring trailers on YouTube. From the onset, it appeared to be an exciting and refreshing addition to the local television scene. However, it was only after commencing the series that I discovered it was a remake of a Turkish program.

Disappointingly, I was unable to relate to any aspect of the show, despite previously residing in Cape Town. The storyline was vastly dissimilar to the local lifestyle, rendering it implausible. Regrettably, my greatest letdown was the fact that this production was a remake of a foreign series. South Africa boasts of a diverse and rich history that has yet to be fully explored and shared with the world. Utilizing remakes is a lazy approach taken by Hollywood writers, which I never envisioned us embarking on.

Despite Gail Mabalane's exceptional acting abilities, amply demonstrated in productions such as Blood and Water, her portrayal of the main protagonist, Zenzile, was somewhat lacklustre and irksome. Similarly, the underutilization of talented actors such as Vuyo Dabula and Rapulana Seiphemo was disheartening. One can only hope that their careers are not curtailed by such a subpar performance on this production.

Overall, I cannot in good faith recommend this show as it was an instance of disappointment that took several days to reconcile internally. Netflix aims to showcase the incredible talent from our country, but bringing mediocre productions to light does no favors in the international arena. It is high time our local productions pull up their socks and elevate their craft to produce content that competes globally.

The story is about Zenzi Mwale whose husband, Max, takes the fall for the murder of a one Yazid on behalf of his crime bosses. Zenzi is looking for Max on the day he gets out of prison but he is no where to be found. What follows is Zenzi unexpectedly building up a pile of bodies in her search for Max. But she is just a cleaner. She is the Unseen. No one suspects her....until they do.

Now, there are some shallow micro-plots, unuseful characters in some scenes and a few mistakes that could have been solved with deeper thinking.

BUT....the good actors are really good and the story is quite solid. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Do yourself a favor skip this one. Each episode is was worse than the other one.

The acting is absolutely terrible This is might be the worst tv show I watched I. A long time. I've watched some SA content in Netflix.. acting skills mostly was a bit lacking, this tv show is another level. The scenes are terrible Acting - not sure I can call it in that way.

Netflix please stop with this nonesene. I feel like someone must give me back 4 hours No idea why I watched until the end .. Last episode was so difficult to keep watching.

I am trying hard to find something good about this tv show but I can't sorry!

!

When it comes to storytelling, a well-constructed plot is essential to capturing the audience's attention and keeping them engaged. In this regard, the story in question is solidly constructed, with a framework that holds up well. However, while the overall structure may be sound, the way in which the individual scenes are presented can be confusing and disjointed. It's as if the story is missing some crucial connective tissue that would make it all make sense.

Despite these flaws, there is still a lot of potential in the story. With some reworking and fine-tuning, it could become a truly compelling and engaging work of art. Unfortunately, as it stands, it falls short of its promise.

Wow this tv series was awesome. The actors where so real. I never once felt any fake acting.. This gripped me from episode one. The actors where superb. This made me so proud to be a south african and the quality of the show was really good. It might be a remake but done south african style it was excellent. The talent we have here is mind blowing. We'll done to all of you. I will be on the look out for the next season. It showed how we live in south africa and the trials lived by many of the unseen people. I would definitely recommend watching the series. Well worth the time spent. I for sure am fling to be on the look out for south african shows.

The idea of the story sounds original and interesting and something worth watching. But don't, the show is just terrible. The acting was horrendous. Question is was this show more embarrassing for Netflix or South Africa?

No wonder Netflix is losing money. Guess if you have the advert version of Netflix you possibly get to see some decent acting when the adverts come on. Can't believe how hard it is to find something decent to watch on Netflix. Free to air television (New Zealand) provides significantly better watching options. Hopefully there is a turnaround for Netflix around the corner. Off to another app...

Unseen is a stunningly executed South African thriller that masterfully blends emotional depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Across its first two seasons, the series tells the story of Zenzi Mwale, a quiet domestic worker whose search for her missing husband draws her into a violent criminal underworld. What begins as a personal quest becomes a profound exploration of invisibility-how society overlooks those who clean its floors, raise its children, and quietly endure its injustices.

Season 1 lays a slow-burning but intensely powerful foundation, pulling you into Zenzi's world with precision and empathy. The writing is sharp, the cinematography striking, and the pacing deliberate yet impactful. Season 2 builds upon that momentum, diving deeper into Zenzi's moral dilemmas and the systemic rot she confronts. It avoids the common sophomore slump by raising the stakes and tightening the story without losing its soul.

Gail Mabalane delivers a tour-de-force performance-raw, restrained, and unforgettable. Her portrayal of Zenzi is layered with strength, pain, and resilience, anchoring the series in emotional truth.

Unseen isn't just a crime thriller-it's a social commentary dressed in noir. It questions who gets seen, who gets heard, and what happens when the invisible finally push back.

Highly recommended for fans of grounded, character-driven thrillers like Ozark, Unbelievable, or Top Boy.

Unseen on Netflix starts off with a gripping premise and genuinely pulls you in at least for the first couple of episodes. By episode 3 of season 1, however, something shifts and not for the better. While I stuck with it all the way through season 2, I did so with growing frustration.

My biggest issue? The main character's lack of common sense. It's not the actress's fault, she does what she can, but the writing and direction leave her constantly silent or passive in moments that demand action or honesty. Over and over again, she finds herself in situations where a simple explanation like "self-defense" would change everything, yet she says nothing. That silence, that refusal to stand up for herself or speak truth when it matters most, makes her feel less like a real person and more like a tool used to stretch the plot unnecessarily.

It's incredibly frustrating to watch a character go through so much, make choices that don't add up, and still be portrayed as fragile and innocent despite the fact that she kills multiple people. If the writers wanted to present her as a quiet but strong survivor, then let her act like one. Let her speak. Let her think. Let her grow. Instead, she's written in a way that constantly undercuts her own agency.

The potential was there. The performances are strong. But the character writing, especially from mid-season 1 onward, felt like a betrayal of everything that hooked me in the beginning. This isn't about making her into a hero. It's about making her believable. I don't mind flaws. I mind when the story makes those flaws feel forced and avoidable.

A missed opportunity, sadly. I blame the direction and writing, not the cast.

Pleasantly surprised! This had solid writing, acting, plot and pacing. Good character development and timeline sequencing.

The latter half of the season is more edge-of-the-seat than most mystery/crime thrillers. In the last episode I learned to trust the incredible luck of the main character against insurmountable odds. The woman is unkillable! She had some very unlikely saves - BUT I appreciate her for the stoic superhero she turned out to be.

Well worth watching for the understated, strong female lead. Nice to see a film from South Africa as well.

Fingers crossed there will be more to watch in 2024!

"Unseen" is a tour de force that has truly redefined the boundaries of storytelling on Netflix. This series manages to captivate and mesmerize from beginning to end, cementing itself as a must-watch for any fan of gripping drama and mystery.

The plot is ingeniously crafted, unveiling its secrets with a deft hand and offering viewers a layered narrative that keeps you guessing. Each episode is a piece of a larger puzzle, carefully constructed to maintain suspense and intrigue. The way the story unfolds is both brilliant and satisfying, rewarding attentive viewers with clever twists and turns.

The cast of "Unseen" delivers stellar performances, with each actor embodying their character with nuance and authenticity. The lead roles are compelling and multifaceted, allowing audiences to connect deeply with their journeys. The chemistry among the cast is tangible, adding depth to the already rich storyline.

Visually, "Unseen" is a feast for the eyes. The cinematography is stunningly beautiful, with every frame thoughtfully composed to enhance the atmosphere and mood. The series uses light, shadow, and a distinctive color palette to create a visual experience that is both haunting and breathtaking.

The musical score is nothing short of enchanting. It masterfully complements the on-screen action, providing an emotional undercurrent that enhances the tension and drama. The music is both subtle and powerful, perfectly echoing the series' themes and adding an additional layer of immersion.

"Unseen" explores profound themes such as identity, perception, and the unseen forces that shape our lives, all while maintaining a compelling narrative. The series encourages viewers to question reality and consider the deeper meaning behind the visible and the invisible.

In conclusion, "Unseen" is an extraordinary achievement in the realm of television. Its combination of riveting storytelling, exceptional performances, and visual artistry makes it a standout entry in Netflix's catalog. This series is not just to be watched but to be experienced, and it promises to leave a lasting impression long after the final episode. Don't miss the chance to be drawn into the mysterious and mesmerizing world of "Unseen."

"Unseen" (the Netflix series released in 2023) is a captivating thriller set against the backdrop of present-day Cape Town, South Africa. The series masterfully weaves an engaging mystery as a determined woman embarks on a desperate search for her missing husband, only to find herself entangled in a dangerous criminal conspiracy.

What drew me into "Unseen" was its compelling mystery, the authentic portrayal of South African culture, and the strength of its protagonist. My absolute favorite character is Zenzi, brilliantly played by Gail Mabalane. Her strength, resilience, and transformative journey are truly captivating. We witness her evolve from someone seemingly ordinary into a formidable force, driven by an unwavering resolve to protect her family and seek justice.

If you, like me, enjoyed the "Unseen" Netflix series for its character-driven narrative, grounded social commentary, and gripping suspense, you might also appreciate shows like "Ozark", "Unbelievable", or "Top Boy," as recommended by IMDb. These series share a similar focus on complex characters facing intense situations and often delve into deeper societal issues.

The series "UNSEEN", left me pondering about the complexities of life in developing nations. South Africa, the focus of this series is revealed as politically uneven. We have the hero of this series - a woman, a black woman in particular who symbolizes the unseen millions working in various jobs around the country in cities as well as the countryside. She represents those who came from the countryside to the big city, Cape Town, to realize the dream of a new life with her husband.

The first episode takes off immediately on the initial plot which is to find her husband who is missing. He was convicted of a crime two years earlier and now he has disappeared upon his release from prison. Zenzile, the hero sets out to find this missing man in her life. The doors, rooms, and houses she cleans, lead to various pieces of the puzzle and this film has thought provoking action and silences.

Don't let the minimal movie scores prevent you from seeing this movie. It has a lot to offer thinking adults. I admit after some thought, I am changing my score from 8 to 10. No, it isn't perfect but any film that allows me to think about the depth of the message the next morning deserves a 10 in my book. It gave interest and understanding that we all want joy, love, peace and happiness in our world. No matter what country we reside in.

Kudos to the cast and crew. You did a great job!!

I'll admit it upfront: I've never been a fan of African series or films. I've even told my friends, "I can't stand them-the acting just doesn't land." But Unseen flipped that opinion on its head. This series didn't just grab my attention-it demanded it. And for someone with ADHD, that's no small feat. I dropped everything and locked in from the first episode. That's how gripping it is.

I saw some critics taking jabs at the acting-but I couldn't disagree more. The cast brought raw emotion and total commitment to every scene. They weren't just acting-they were living it. Every character hit, and none more than Zenzi, played masterfully by Gail Nkoane Mabalane. She owned the role. Her performance was equal parts powerful, vulnerable, and unforgettable. And her on-screen sister? Equally phenomenal. The entire cast brought their A-game. Awards should be on the table. No question.

The story? Chilling. Heart-wrenching. Real. It unfolds with the kind of tension and depth that hooks you and stays with you. There were moments I felt punched in the chest-and others that made me want to stand up and cheer. It's that good.

Unseen isn't just a great African series. It's a must-watch series, period. I'm rooting hard for a second season-and if the creators are listening: don't stop now. You've got lightning in a bottle.

I'm giving Unseen a full 10 stars. No hesitation. If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out.

I loved this hidden gem! Great cast, great acting, great writing. A solid story that answered all questions and wrapped up all loose ends when it was over. Great seeing escapades from a segment of life that is not normally depicted on TV... As far as some reviewers saying that this is a Turkish remake- so are many other well made shows a remake or similar to a previous show. Watch it and judge for yourself.

Okay, so I have gone through some of the reviews and some of ya'll that have been giving it a rating below 5 needs to have your head read!!!

Before I started watching it, I had no idea this was a South African documented series, until I realized it was. I was blown away! From the actors, to the plot twist, to the videography, EVERYTHING was top tier.

The only thing I disliked was the fact that the main guys all died in first few episodes, I was expecting more because if you watched generations like me back in the day, you would know that people like Tau and Kumkani were THEE legends. But let me not spoil!!