A Scam Called Love is a romantic dramedy that explores what happens when fake love gets a little too real. Executive produced by Will Seefried and now streaming on Prime Video, the film follows two strangers who enter a fake marriage, one for a green card, the other for cash. Still, things spiral when family, secrets, and unexpected emotions enter the mix. What starts as a transactional arrangement soon turns into a messy entanglement of love, lies, and consequences.
Plot
In A Scam Called Love, we follow Zola, an ambitious South African chef yearning for a green card to pursue her culinary dreams in the United States. She concocts a plan involving Julian, a cash-strapped line cook with a passion for video arts, to enter a sham marriage for mutual benefit. Zola seeks legal residency, while Julian is enticed by the financial gain.
Their journey takes them to Cape Town, South Africa, under the pretence of attending a family event. On the flight, Zola briefs Julian on her intricate family tree, preparing him to play the role of her devoted husband convincingly. Both claim to be sous-chefs at a high-end restaurant, masking their true occupations at a local diner.
Upon arrival, they are immersed in the vibrant chaos of Zola’s family: a fashionista mother harbouring secrets, a father who communicates solely through phone calls, a cousin determined to expose their ruse, and an uncle who fancies himself a modern-day Tupac.
A pivotal moment occurs when Zola’s mother, caught in her marital strife, orchestrates a surprise getaway for the couple. During this retreat, Zola and Julian’s fabricated affection begins to blur into genuine emotion, igniting a spark neither anticipated.
However, their façade unravels during a family dinner when suspicions culminate in a dramatic revelation. Julian, feeling betrayed and used, abandons the scheme, leaving Zola to confront the consequences of their charade.
As Julian returns to the U.S., he compiles a heartfelt video montage of their shared moments, showcasing his burgeoning feelings. Zola, upon viewing the video, is moved by the authenticity of their connection. Yet, the question remains: is it too late for them to transform their scam into true love?
Cast
Tobi Bamtefa (Julian) and Didintle Khunou (Zola) brought presence to their roles, but their chemistry as a couple lacked spark, making the romance feel unconvincing. Supporting cast like Trevor Gumbi (Uncle Baby) and Thando Thabethe (Palesa) stood out with more energy and screen presence. Some characters felt unnecessary, and overall, the casting could’ve been better curated to match the story’s emotional depth.
Language
The film blends Zulu and English seamlessly, offering an authentic cultural touch.
Final take
Despite its comedic moments, A Scam Called Love is ultimately bland. The plot, while built on a potentially fun premise of fake love for personal gain, quickly becomes a cliché, a tired formula we’ve seen done far better. The story drags with little emotional depth, and the predictable beats make it feel more like a skit stretched into a feature. There’s an attempt at charm, but it often falls flat. It’s funny at times, yes, but the humour isn’t enough to distract from how boring and unnecessary the entire film feels. It lacks edge, nuance, and originality, and leaves no lasting impression. In fact, no impression whatsoever.
