Semi-Soeter follows a power couple who are not just married to each other but also to their jobs. As top creatives in the same agency, their world revolves around pitches, deadlines, and brand deals. Children? Not even on the radar, especially since Jaci, the wife, had been told she couldn’t conceive.
But life has other plans. Just as they’re gearing up to pitch to a baby brand that could change their agency’s future, Jackie receives shocking news: she’s pregnant. Suddenly, their carefully structured world begins to shift, forcing them to face a reality where family and career collide. Semi-Soeter was directed by Joshua Rous and is currently showing on Netflix.
Plot
Semi-Soeter opens with what looks like a typical chaotic morning: kids everywhere, toys scattered, breakfast unfinished. Jackie and JP seem knee-deep in parenting. But surprise: they’re not the parents. They’re just babysitting for Jackie’s brother, Hertjie, and his wife Karla.
Jackie and JP, a married couple who work at Mojo & Amalgamated Media, have built their lives around their careers. Children were never in the picture until Jackie’s unexpected visit to the gynaecologist turned their world upside down. She’s pregnant, something she was previously told wasn’t possible.
While Jackie struggles with how to break the news to JP, the power couple gears up to win the advertising account of a lifetime, YBab, a top baby products brand. But there’s a twist: their main competition is JP’s long-time high school rival, Joubert, who now appears to have the perfect family brand image with his wife, Chadri, and their three kids.
Hertjie and Karla, in a last-minute scheme to help JP and Jackie “look the part” of a young, vibrant family, hand over their baby for the pitch event. Yes, the chaos returns, but this time in front of industry executives. From awkward diaper moments to a sabotage stunt by Joubert (who temporarily hides the baby to ruin their parental image), the tension peaks during the final pitch presentation. Luckily, the truth comes out, and so does Jobert’s underhanded tactic.
With the deal on the line and Jackie still unsure how to tell JP about the pregnancy, JP heads off to Dubai for a new job opportunity. But in a rom-com-worthy gesture, Jackie tracks him down and drops the news: she’s not just having a baby; they’re having triplets.
Cast
The movie featured Anel Alexander, Nico Panagio, Louw Venter, Sandra Vaughn, Diaan Lawrenson, Neels Van Jaarsveld, and Hélène Truter.
Language
Semi-Soeter was performed predominantly in Afrikaans.
Final take
This film, Semi-Soeter, is light-hearted, full of laughs, and a warm reminder of how unpredictable life can be. The cast delivers a natural, fun energy that keeps you smiling from start to finish. The plot isn’t heavy or deep, and there’s no real suspense, but that’s the charm. It’s a jolly, chaotic ride with relatable moments.
However, one major letdown is the picture quality. For a 2025 release, the visuals feel dated, almost like something from the early 2000s. This occasionally pulls you out of the story, but not enough to ruin the experience.
