Ludik (2022)

NOTE: Contains some spoilers.

I'll start by saying, this series is substantially better, than many critics have suggested.

Pieter Vorster, is calmly chilling, as Danie Ludik, entrepreneur and criminal.Vorster has quite the background playing intimidating bad guys and he fits snugly, into this role. The back story helps to explain his characters ruthless ascension to both success and power. Ludik is never one to turn down a business opportunity, no matter how morally questionable, it might be.

The secondary cast of characters are well developed and interesting, too. From the largely overlooked wife and son, Ludik's dysfunctional brother in law, with whom he shares an odd co-dependency, through to the police officer out to catch him and an equally ruthless criminal, out to exploit him.

In short, this series is well acted and engrossing. Where it comes up a little short, is in the plot department. Character's simply do things that work for Ludik and against his adversary. In spite of what really amounts to a series of improbabilities and plot holes, that simply should not and most likely, would not, work out in the real world. The story wants Ludik to come out on top and so he does. At least in the first season.

That said, I still enjoyed the first season of Ludik and would be interested in seeing a second one. Hopefully with a plot line as well rounded as the characterisations.

In summary, engrossing, interesting, capably acted, let down somewhat by thin plot development. Nonetheless, certainly worth a look.