Film Critic: Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling
The Sexy Girls is a film “about getting even”, a South African crime caper set in Muizenberg and its surrounds from writer-director Russell Thompson. It centres on Milo, a man who, believing all is lost after discovering his wife’s infidelity, inadvertently becomes embroiled in the affairs of The Sexy Girls, a tough all-female gang.
A gritty, homegrown blend of crime, comedy-drama, and thriller, the film could have leaned more heavily into standard crime or pure comedy. Instead, it finds an uneasy yet intriguing middle ground between the two. The wrong-place, wrong-time premise carries a comedic edge as Milo, our fish-out-of-water protagonist, bumbles from one dangerous scenario to the next – barely keeping his head above water while operating in a reckless, devil-may-care manner with no clear future.
This come-what-may approach is refreshing. On the verge of giving up on everything, he finds an unexpected sense of purpose in retrieving his VW Beatle after the gang commandeers it to escape a notorious local kingpin, Roy Kirby. Veering from the cocksure attitude of a gang leader, played by Ivan Lucas, to the flippant disposition of its hapless lead, various characters are caught in the crossfire as they attempt to resolve their predicament amid escalating violence.
Adopting a light-hearted, almost cheeky tone, The Sexy Girls cuts against the grain with gritty altercations without becoming overly gratuitous. Though somewhat dated in its feel and cultural sensitivities, it remains authentic enough to generate genuine suspense through its madcap antics, quick bursts of action and strange whimsy. By leaning into the comedy of a situation going from bad to worse, an undercurrent of schadenfreude keeps the narrative edgy, complemented by the rough reality of a strangely intimate turf warfare.
“Be honest. How do I look?”
The title itself is slightly misleading, merely referring to the gang that forms the structural glue of the story rather than reflecting its core themes. Featuring a solid cast – including Jamie Bartlett, Tina Schouw, Denise Newman, Ivan Lucas and Jennifer Steyn – and a soundtrack highlighted by a hauntingly catchy pop track from Henry Ate, the film avoids being disposable filler or mindless popcorn fun. Instead, it occupies a murky middle ground where the outcome feels genuinely unpredictable.
Shot predominantly at night around the False Bay region, the film offers a vibrant cross-section of Cape Town characters and coastal life, balancing happy-go-lucky ambitions against surprisingly dark turns much like The Nice Guys. It’s a modest production, but its authenticity stems directly from its budgetary constraints rather than a forced aesthetic.
Ultimately, The Sexy Girls is a spirited, thoughtful and darkly comical homegrown tale – reminiscent of early Guy Ritchie – that blends bravado with everyman misadventure. Delivering a fresh, bittersweet narrative anchored by charming performances and some memorable scenes, it manages to stay afloat and hold one’s attention.
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