Renate Stuurman
Princess
Overview
This sequel to "Happiness is a Four-Letter Word" finds Zaza, Princess and Zim living new chapters of their lives amid loss, family grudges and new love.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
3 min readLove, Again—But Not as We Know It
I keep thinking about the way Thabang Moleya’s Happiness Ever After lingers in the quiet moments between its characters. Not the grand declarations of love, not the dramatic confrontations, but the pauses—the way a hand hovers just above a shoulder before pulling away, the way a glance lingers a second too long before the eyes drop to the floor. This is a film that understands love as something lived in the in-between spaces, where joy and sorrow aren’t opposites but companions.
And yet, for all its emotional intelligence, it’s a film that feels curiously unfinished, like a conversation that trails off before it reaches its point.
Moleya’s follow-up to Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word (2016) picks up with Zaza, Princess, and Zim—three women whose lives have been shaped by the choices they’ve made and the ones made for them. The synopsis promises "new chapters," but the film itself is less interested in plot than in the textures of these women’s lives. There’s a loss here, though the details are kept deliberately vague, as if the grief itself is too heavy to name.
Family grudges simmer beneath the surface, and new romances flicker like candlelight—bright one moment, guttering the next. It’s a film that trusts its audience to sit with ambiguity, to accept that happiness isn’t a destination but a series of fragile, fleeting moments.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A visually appealing but uneven romantic drama with standout performances that struggle to elevate a predictable plot."
Viewers appreciate the chemistry between the lead actors and the film’s stylish presentation, which adds a layer of charm to the story. However, the narrative feels overly familiar, with underdeveloped side characters and a lack of depth in key emotional moments, leaving some wishing for more substance behind the gloss.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Renate Stuurman and Nambitha Ben-Mazwi deliver compelling performances that anchor the film and draw viewers in.
- Visually engaging The film’s aesthetic and cinematography are frequently praised for their polished and appealing style.
- Entertaining chemistry The on-screen dynamic between the leads adds energy and keeps the story engaging despite its flaws.
Common complaints
- Predictable storyline The plot follows well-worn tropes, making it feel unoriginal and lacking in surprises.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles often feel shallow or underutilized, weakening the overall narrative impact.
- Emotional depth lacking Some viewers find the film’s emotional moments unconvincing or rushed, leaving key relationships feeling hollow.
Recommended for
Fans of romantic dramas South African cinema enthusiasts Viewers who enjoy stylish visuals Admirers of strong female leads
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Happiness Ever After: Netflix’s South African Romance Drama
Netflix’s Happiness Ever After (2021) arrived as a follow-up to the streaming giant’s growing investment in South African storytelling, helmed by director Thabang Moleya and featuring a star-studded cast. The film, a drama with romantic undertones, promised a fresh take on love, ambition, and the complexities of modern relationships—set against the backdrop of Johannesburg’s vibrant yet turbulent landscape. But what went into bringing this project to life? latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know from the limited behind-the-scenes buzz.
A Star-Studded Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nkha_zgCDw
The film’s cast reads like a who’s who of South African entertainment, with Renate Stuurman, Khanyi Mbau, and Nambitha Ben-Mazwi leading the charge. Stuurman, known for her roles in The River and The Queen, took on a central role in Happiness Ever After, while Mbau—one of South Africa’s most recognizable media personalities—brought her signature charisma to the screen 
. Ben-Mazwi, a veteran of Moleya’s previous work (Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word), reunited with the director, adding depth to the ensemble .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhGzYbUK5Jw
The supporting cast included Richard Lukunku, Daniel Etim Effiong, and Loyiso Macdonald, among others, suggesting a deliberate effort to blend established talent with rising stars. While the evidence doesn’t reveal specifics about casting decisions, the lineup hints at Moleya’s preference for actors with strong dramatic chops and public appeal—a strategy that likely helped the film gain traction before its release .
A Netflix Original with Local Flavor
Happiness Ever After marked another step in Netflix’s push into African content, following the success of projects like Blood & Water and Queen Sono. The film’s original title, Les Nouveaux Chapitres du Bonheur in French markets, suggests a broader international rollout, though details about its production budget or Netflix’s promotional strategy remain scarce .
Trailers and clips teased a visually rich narrative, with Johannesburg’s urban landscape serving as more than just a backdrop. The film’s 99-minute runtime and genre classification (drama/romance) positioned it as a compact, emotionally driven story—likely designed to appeal to both local audiences and global viewers craving authentic African storytelling .
Fan Reactions and Early Buzz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyXwyi-2WhA
Early reviews and fan discussions painted Happiness Ever After as a mixed but intriguing watch. Some viewers praised the chemistry between the leads, particularly Stuurman and Ben-Mazwi, while others noted the film’s ambitious themes—balancing love, career, and personal growth—felt rushed in places . A YouTube review described it as a "solid first South African movie experience," though it stopped short of calling it groundbreaking .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMZEEKQPhA
Netflix’s decision to release the film globally meant it reached audiences far beyond South Africa, but the evidence doesn’t reveal box office numbers or streaming metrics. What’s clear is that the film sparked conversations about representation, with fans highlighting the rarity of seeing South African stories centered on complex, relatable women .
Unanswered Questions
Despite the buzz, details about the film’s production remain thin. There’s no confirmation of on-set drama, directorial challenges, or behind-the-scenes anecdotes—common in tabloid coverage of bigger-budget projects. Rumors about a potential sequel or spin-off are unconfirmed, though Moleya’s track record (Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word) leaves the door open for future collaborations .
For now, Happiness Ever After stands as a snapshot of South Africa’s evolving film industry—one that’s increasingly gaining global attention, even if the behind-the-scenes story is still unfolding.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.