Kagiso Lediga
Max
Overview
Set in a chic and middle class Johannesburg, a jaded academic and his journalist wife have their lives turned upside down when a celebrated and hedonistic older writer unexpectedly moves into their home.
Cast
9 people
Reviews
4 min readLove in the Time of Hedonism
I’ve always been suspicious of films that promise to explore "modern relationships." Too often, that phrase is code for a series of contrived misunderstandings, punctuated by sex scenes that feel more like product placement than character development. So when Catching Feelings first flickered onto my screen—a South African dramedy about a couple whose lives unravel when a hedonistic older writer moves into their home—I braced myself for the usual cocktail of eye rolls and half-hearted chuckles.
But here’s the thing: Kagiso Lediga’s film isn’t just another entry in the "why can’t we all just communicate?" genre. It’s a messy, uneven, but often sharply observed portrait of desire, ego, and the quiet ways we betray ourselves—and each other—when we’re too busy pretending we have it all figured out.
Lediga, who also stars as Max, a jaded academic, has built his career on poking at the contradictions of contemporary African life—whether through the satirical lens of his sketch comedy or the more earnest storytelling of his earlier work. Catching Feelings sits somewhere in the middle, a film that wants to be both a raucous comedy and a tender exploration of marital decay. That it doesn’t entirely succeed at either isn’t a failure so much as a reflection of its ambition.
The film’s tone wobbles like a drunk trying to walk a straight line, veering from slapstick to melancholy in the span of a single scene. But when it works, it works because Lediga understands something fundamental about relationships: they’re not undone by grand gestures or dramatic confrontations, but by the slow accumulation of small, selfish choices.
Take the film’s central dynamic, the fraught friendship between Max and Heiner (Andrew Buckland), the aging, hard-partying writer who becomes an unwelcome houseguest. Heiner is a walking id, a man who treats life like an open bar and everyone in it like a potential conquest. He’s also, in a way that feels uncomfortably real, magnetic.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 5.0/10
"A mixed but engaging South African rom-com with sharp dialogue and strong performances, though some viewers found its pacing and character decisions frustrating."
Viewers of *Catching Feelings* (2017) describe it as a witty, modern take on infidelity and midlife crises, set against the backdrop of Johannesburg’s academic and social scene. The film’s strength lies in its sharp, often humorous dialogue and the chemistry between leads Kagiso Lediga and Pearl Thusi, who play a married couple navigating temptation when a famous writer (Andrew Buckland) moves into their home. Many appreciated the film’s attempt to blend comedy with deeper emotional stakes, though reactions were divided on whether it succeeded. Some praised its fresh perspective as a South African production, noting its relatable themes of love, ambition, and self-doubt. Others felt the story meandered, particularly in the second act, and that certain character choices—like the protagonist’s affair, were poorly justified or underdeveloped. The supporting cast, including Akin Omotoso and Precious Makgaretsa, received praise for adding depth to the ensemble. While not universally loved, the film sparked discussions about fidelity, artistic integrity, and the complexities of modern relationships, latestnetflix.com maintains, with some calling it a solid entry in the rom-com genre despite its flaws.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Kagiso Lediga and Pearl Thusi’s chemistry was frequently highlighted as a standout, with viewers praising their ability to balance humor and emotional weight. Their portrayal of a married couple facing temptation felt authentic to many.
- Sharp and witty dialogue The script’s humor and clever exchanges were a recurring positive, with some calling it the film’s strongest asset. The banter between characters, particularly in social settings, resonated with audiences.
- Fresh South African perspective Viewers appreciated the film’s setting and cultural context, noting it offered a welcome departure from typical Hollywood rom-coms. The Johannesburg backdrop and local flavor added authenticity for many.
- Engaging themes The exploration of infidelity, artistic ambition, and marital struggles sparked discussion, with some finding the themes thought-provoking and relatable.
Common complaints
- Pacing issues Several viewers criticized the film’s uneven pacing, particularly in the second act, where the story dragged or lost focus. Some felt the runtime (124 minutes) was too long for the material.
- Underdeveloped character motivations The protagonist’s affair was a major point of contention, with many finding his decisions poorly justified or inconsistent. Some felt the film struggled to make his actions sympathetic or believable.
- Mixed tonal balance While the film aimed to blend comedy and drama, some viewers felt the shifts between humor and seriousness were jarring or poorly executed, leaving the tone feeling inconsistent.
- Weak supporting arcs A few viewers noted that some supporting characters, like the famous writer played by Andrew Buckland, lacked depth or clear purpose, making their roles feel underutilized.
Recommended for
Fans of character-driven rom-coms with sharp dialogue Viewers interested in South African cinema or fresh cultural perspectives Audiences who enjoy films about marital struggles and midlife crises Those looking for a mix of humor and emotional depth, despite its flaws
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Catching Feelings: Kagiso Lediga’s Bold Rom-Com Gamble
Kagiso Lediga’s Catching Feelings (2017) arrived as a breath of fresh air in South Africa’s film scene—a sharp, sexy rom-com that doubled as a character study of ambition, fidelity, and midlife chaos. Starring Lediga himself alongside Pearl Thusi, the movie carved out a niche for itself by blending humor with raw, unfiltered intimacy. But what went down behind the cameras? latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what the limited evidence reveals about the making of this sleeper hit.
A Personal Project with High Stakes
Lediga, best known for his work as a comedian and satirist 
, took on Catching Feelings as both director and lead actor—a dual role that demanded juggling performance with the pressures of helming a feature. The film follows Max (Lediga), a struggling academic whose life spirals when a famous writer (Andrew Buckland) moves in with him and his girlfriend, Simi (Thusi). The premise alone suggested Lediga was playing with fire: a story about infidelity, creative frustration, and the messy intersections of love and ambition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULOZKap4BaU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H2Pdk9sdLA
While the evidence doesn’t detail budget constraints, the film’s runtime (124 minutes ) and ensemble cast hint at a modest but ambitious production. Lediga’s background in comedy likely shaped the film’s tone, balancing cringe-worthy humor with moments of genuine pathos. His interviews around the release tease the challenges of directing himself—particularly in the film’s more vulnerable scenes .
The Sex Scenes: Lediga’s Unfiltered Approach
One of the most talked-about aspects of Catching Feelings was its unapologetic depiction of sex and intimacy. In a YouTube interview, Lediga addressed the film’s explicit scenes head-on, framing them as essential to the story’s authenticity . He didn’t shy away from the awkwardness of filming such moments, either. The director’s willingness to embrace discomfort—both on-screen and behind it—became a hallmark of the project.
Thusi, who played Simi, brought her own perspective to the role. While the evidence doesn’t include direct quotes from her about the sex scenes, her chemistry with Lediga is palpable in the final cut. The film’s willingness to portray intimacy as messy, funny, and sometimes painful set it apart from more sanitized rom-coms.
Reception: Mixed Reviews, But a Cult Following
Catching Feelings didn’t light up the box office, but it earned a cult following for its bold storytelling. On SensCritique, it holds a middling 5.1/10 rating based on 31 votes , suggesting a polarized response. Some viewers praised its honesty and Lediga’s performance, while others found the tone uneven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wzg72ykREY
The film’s Netflix release in 2018 likely broadened its audience, introducing it to international viewers hungry for African stories told without apology. While Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t provide a critic score in the snippet , the mere fact that it exists in the database signals its place in the conversation about contemporary South African cinema.
The Legacy: Lediga’s Next Steps
Catching Feelings wasn’t just a one-off for Lediga. The evidence hints at his growing influence in African film and television, with a 2023 drama series in the works . While details about that project are scarce, it’s clear Lediga’s voice—sharp, satirical, and unafraid of discomfort—continues to shape the industry.
For fans of Catching Feelings, the film remains a testament to Lediga’s willingness to take risks. It’s a movie that doesn’t just flirt with taboos; it dives headfirst into them, emerging with something messy, memorable, and undeniably human.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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