How To Ruin Love Review: Betrayal, Forgiveness And Everything In Between

In the aftermath of the unexpected passing of Busisiwe Lurayi in 2022, fans were left wondering about the future of the beloved South African Netflix series, ‘How to Ruin Christmas.’ To the delight of viewers, the creators decided to take a fresh direction, introducing a new cast of characters and storyline in a spin-off titled ‘How to Ruin Love.’

The narrative revolves around Zoleka and Kagiso, a couple whose three-year relationship encounters a significant hurdle when Zoleka inadvertently sabotages her own surprise proposal to Kagiso, causing him deep distress due to the costly mistake. However, Zoleka’s blunder is just the beginning of her missteps in the film.

Determined to repair the damage and salvage their love, Zoleka embarks on a heartfelt and often humorous journey to win Kagiso back. With the unwavering support of both families, she sets out to make amends with the man she holds dear, showcasing her genuine efforts to mend their relationship despite her previous errors.

‘How to Ruin Love’ is a Burnt Onions Production mini-series directed by Katleho and Rethabile Ramaphakela and currently streaming on Netflix.

Plot

The film begins with a picturesque beach proposal, surrounded by loved ones, which takes a dramatic turn when an enraged woman crashes the scene, hurling a glass and igniting a confrontation.

Flashback to forty-eight hours prior, where the enraged woman, Zoleka, is wrapping up the final scene of a season finale, portraying the lead character. Her unease mounts when her co-star mentions scripts for the upcoming second season, scripts she wasn’t supposed to know about. Confronting the filmmakers, she’s met with evasion and avoidance, deepening her suspicions and leaving her feeling isolated.

The atmosphere between Zoleka and her boyfriend Kagiso during his visit to her film set is far from celebratory. Despite being together for three years and having plans for their future, including purchasing land overlooking Johannesburg and building a home, tensions arise. Their decision to invest their savings in the land is overshadowed by Kagiso’s impending meeting with Zoleka’s demanding father, scheduled for a long-awaited lunch.

Zoleka’s suspicions about Kagiso’s infidelity grow as she notices his secretive phone calls with business associates and his explanations about interactions with other women. During dinner with his business partner Sbu Twala and his wife Beauty, Kagiso drops a bombshell, expressing hesitancy about marriage. He attributes this reluctance to Zoleka’s modern outlook, suggesting that she may need more time before he feels comfortable committing to marriage, potentially up to five years.

Filled with anger and fear, Zoleka seeks solace in her friend Amahle’s company, pleading for assistance in transforming herself into the ideal wife. Determined to win back Kagiso’s affection, she attends his little sister’s birthday party, putting on a facade of the perfect daughter and sister-in-law. However, her efforts end disastrously when she inadvertently ruins the traditional family dish, “Pap.”

Consumed by suspicion, Zoleka returns home to confront Kagiso, only to discover incriminating evidence, a used condom and encounter his sister, who claims he’s in Durban. This revelation deepens Zoleka’s distrust, prompting her and her cousin to embark on a journey to Durban in search of Kagiso, where they stumble upon him proposing to Amahle.

Enraged by the betrayal, Zoleka’s outburst exposes long-held family secrets, jeopardising Kagiso’s career and her own. Despite her efforts to reconcile, Kagiso remains distant, focusing on salvaging his professional reputation. As Zoleka fights to win him back, she inadvertently uncovers more family secrets, including financial troubles that threaten Kagiso’s father’s home.

Tensions escalate as Kagiso’s mother leaves the house, and Kagiso refuses assistance from Aunt Doreen. Unknown to Papi, Khutso strikes a deal behind his back to help save the family from eviction. Amidst the chaos, the drama surrounding Katlego and Sicelo adds another layer of complexity to the story, particularly Katlego’s hatred for Zoleko and the true story regarding the used condom that fueled Zoleko’s suspicions.

Amidst the ongoing turmoil, Zoleka proposes a bold new plan to Kagiso, aiming to overhaul their entire marriage strategy. However, her resurgent suspicions derail the plan, leaving Kagiso devastated once more. Undeterred, Zoleka persists in her efforts to win him back, this time with even grander gestures. Despite her best intentions, her elaborate plan fails to materialise as she had hoped.

Has Kagiso finally reached his breaking point with Zoleka? Will she ever get her dream proposal?

Cast

The ensemble cast of ‘How to Ruin Love’ was meticulously selected, with each actor seamlessly embodying their character and delivering stellar performances.

Sivenathi Mabuya shines in the role of Zoleka, portraying the character with seamless authenticity. Bohang Moeko’s portrayal of Kagiso is equally compelling, capturing the different emotions his character demands.

Noxolo Dlamini impresses as Amahle, bringing her character to life with charm and charisma. Thando Thabethe and Sandile Mahlangu reprise their roles from ‘How to Ruin Christmas’ as Beauty and Sbu, adding depth and familiarity to the ensemble.

John Morapama portrays Papi while Marjorie Langa embodies Khutso with grace and poise. The cast is rounded out by a host of other talented actors who contribute to the richness of the story and the dynamics between the characters.

Language

‘How to Ruin Love’, like many South African films, expertly combines English with South African languages, creating a seamless blend.

Summary

Overall, ‘How to Ruin Love’ proved to be a captivating and entertaining watch. The storyline was engaging, peppered with humour that kept viewers hooked throughout. The vibrant costumes added an extra layer of excitement to the film, while the cinematography was notably well-executed.