Ludik

I really wanted to but was unable to enjoy. I have always been an Arnold Voslos fan and was hoping for some aging star magic(Like James Spader in Blacklist). But alas, this was not it.

First, there is background music playing in all scenes and often it is distracting and at times downright awful. Even the simplest of scenes will have a music/or humming sound. Other scenes will have a drama moment with a loud electronic background that does not fit the mood at at all

Protagonist did well, but most of the other actors played their character over-the-top, almost appearing cartoonish and unintentionally humorous.

Editing, all over the place. This shift from scene to scene, often without context was jarring. It slowed up a bit in the later episodes, but still moved around making it hard to follow.

I wish I knew there was a choice in watching this in Afrikaan and not the horrid choice that netflix made for me . The English compilation/dubbing, I do not know if its the right word, was awful. The sound was AWFUL.

This is the second time that happens .The first one I tried to watch a German show and the actors spoke English, so I knew that something was off. But this time I honestly didn't suspect anything.

Every language is unique and beautiful and I prefer to listen to the original and read subtitles.

I give an extra point for that mistake ,for which I blame netflix I liked the story, the pace, the characters. It kept me interested and it was enjoyable.

Great potential. Poor delivery.

It starts off with a great premise but over-acting and hamming by most of the cast ruins what could have been a great series.

Arnold Vosloo does a good job but the rest of the actors are many classes below.

The storyline seems to go around in circles too. I am not holding out hope for a second season. I really hope though that the South African TV industry starts to do better and better.

The flashbacks to Daan's childhood seem to serve no purpose except to satisfy some whim of the director. The music is good but overwhelms the dialog and makes it hard to follow.

I am a big fan of Arnold Vosloo. If only the rest of the cast could have lived up to his ability. This could really have been a good show bar two things: appalling soap opera performances and the most awful soundtrack and sound design. I nearly stopped watching because of the dreadful din coming through the speakers. The 3 stars are because I wanted to see how Ludik got out of his dilemmas so it had me hooked in that way, but I confess I did fast forward some scenes with the bad guys. This was a good example of how not to play bad guys: try to look and sound like a bad guy.

The difference between good acting (Vosloo) and soap opera acting (Sean Cameron Michael) is that Vosloo underplays emotions so the viewer can interpret them. Michael shows you everything, all the time and over eggs it like crazy leaving nothing to our interpretation. Anyway, my opinion.

Gave this a chance based only on the trailer. I really enjoyed the story, nicely paced. The set up is good and the framework of the plot promises a taut thriller and for the most part delivers.

Unfortunately we're it falls down is with some of the supporting characters who are one dimensional mad in some instances annoyingly so. The other big issue is the acting. With the exception of Arnold Vosloo and Diann Lawrenson you watch the rest in disbelief that the us is the best South Africa has left to offer. It is very distracting.

Special mention goes to Sean Cameron Michael who is so bad you just can't have any sense of him being a mob boss as no one would take him seriously.

If you can disregard the acting though it's worth a watch.