Two sisters return home after their father dies. He leaves his farm to one of them in his will. However, they soon find out that not everything is as it should be.
The new mystery thriller from South African VOD service, Showmax, tells the story of Yola Fischer, who returns from Chile to her father’s farm after he passes away in a freak accident. She soon becomes tormented by lost souls on the property as her life becomes intertwined with Themba, who is facing his own personal struggles. Yola and Themba also become romantically involved during the chaos they both experience.
The cast is led by Lea Vivier, who won a Silwerskermfees award for her memorable performance in the hit South African film, Wonderlus. She has also starred in multiple popular shows such as Binnelanders, Fynskrif, The Girl from St Agnes and Die Spreeus. She is joined by Pallance Dladla, a multi-SAFTA-winning actor best known for his roles in Isibaya, Is’Thunzi and Netflix’s Shadow. Other notable cast members include SAFTA winner Antoinette Louw (An Act of Defiance), Gerald Steyn (Meisies Wat Fluit, Lioness) and Neil Sandilands (The 100, Orion).
Showmax's head of content, Candice Fangueiro says: “It's safe to say you've never seen anything like DAM on South African TV.”
The show has already received rave reviews, particularly with regards to the breath-taking cinematography, its use of sound to create eerie tension, and the casts’ top-class performances.
“I constantly felt as though the first two episodes of DAM should actually be viewed as a full cinema immersive experience,” writes Elene Botha for the South African publication, 9 Lives.
“The sound, lighting and cinematography pulls you into the story, puts you on the edge of your seat and yes, it does scare you. The very first scene in the first episode is one of the most striking things I’ve seen and something that will stay with you for some time, and I do fancy myself a bit of a horror / thriller aficionado.”
According to Fortress of Solitude, “…the cast delivers an equally exceptional performance to rival the production quality and script. They suck you into this small town’s drama, as you fall in love with some, pity others, and detest only a few. And a special mention needs to go out to Neil Sandilands, who steals every scene he’s in. He’s a national treasure and we must protect him at every cost.”
Viewers had the following to say after the show started streaming on Showmax:
DAM has already been praised as a bingeworthy, edge-of-your-seat thriller that hooks its viewers right from the opening scene and would be well worth its time as a showstopping primetime programme.
The first episode is available the Multichoice Studios webpage.
