My wife and I recently watched the South African picture Love, Sex and 30 Candles (2023) on Netflix. The storyline revolves around a group of long-time friends in Africa who have reached the age of 30 and are at a crossroads in their lives. One friend is about to get married, another is afraid of commitment, a third is a single mom, and the fourth friend is frustrated with her career path. Their individual journeys are about to take different directions, some for the better and some for the worse, all while putting their friendships to the test.

This movie is skillfully directed by Stephina Zwane (Home Wrecker) and features a talented cast including Terence Bridgett (The Lab), Meme Ditshego (Dolla), Anthony Oseyemi (The Salvation), and Lunga Shabalala (The Legacy).

What makes this film stand out is that every storyline is worth following. The characters come across as authentic, and you genuinely care about what's going to happen to each of them next. The acting and writing are solid, with well-executed dialogue and engaging back-and-forth interactions. The different feel and direction of each subplot keep the audience entertained and invested. Even though the film's conclusion might not provide the outcomes you were hoping for in every scenario, it still manages to leave a lasting impact.

In conclusion, Love, Sex and 30 Candles is a worthwhile real-life drama that I'd recommend watching at least once. I would score it a solid 6.5-7/10.