A Wesley South African Christmas (2024): Review And Summary

Film Length	1 Hour 35 Minutes
Release Date	November 21, 2024
Advisory Rating	Rated TV-14
Initially Available On/Via	BET Plus
Genre(s)	Comedy, Romance, Holiday
Distributor	BET+
Director	Patricia Cuffie-Jones
Writer	Bree West, Chazitear
Based On Work By	Bree West
Character Name	Actor
Trina	Kiki Haynes
Gloria	Rolonda Rochelle
Lerato	Dineo Langa
Ryan	Judi Johnson
Marcus	Terrence ‘T.C.’ Carson
Gugu	Ayanda Bandla
Themba	Jesse Suntele
Todd	Terayle Hill
Brian	Dorien Wilson
Sylvia	Jasmine Guy

Plot Summary

Todd’s friend from college, Themba, and he have been talking about a partnership between their families’ companies, and just as a deal could have been put in place, Gugu, Themba’s older sister, puts a pin in the agreement. Why? Because she doesn’t know Todd or his family. So, to fix this problem, Themba invites Todd’s family to South Africa for Christmas. This means his parents, siblings, his wife, and one of his cousins, and while everyone is having a good time, it becomes clear Gugu doesn’t want this deal, and it will be an uphill battle to convince her otherwise.

Character Descriptions

Todd

With the drama behind him, Todd focuses on a partnership deal with a lot of money he is trying to land without Chris’ help.

The actor is also known for their role in “Killer Beat.”

Themba

Themba is Todd’s friend from business school and is one-half of the Dlamini Enterprises Limited leadership in South Africa.

Gugu

Gugu is Themba’s older sister. She has been running the business longer than her brother and is more hesitant about the deal with the Wesley family because she was alive when their family wasn’t rich and doesn’t know the Wesley family.

Marcus

Marcus is a veteran who has been better than ever and, in some ways, might be ready to play catch up on some pivotal things he didn’t get to do in life.

The actor is also known for their role in “Greenleaf: Season 2.”

Ryan

Ryan is Todd’s wife, and she is pondering what’s next in her life, especially since she desires to open a dance studio.

The actor is also known for their role in “Double Cross: Season 2.”

Lerato

Lerato is Themba’s wife, who handles most of the coordination effort for Wesley’s stay and Christmas.

Gloria

Gloria is Marcus’ wife and play aunt to nearly all.

Trina

Trina is Chris’ wife, who has come out of a dark place, post-pregnancy, and is ready to, when it comes to Lerato, give her a sense of what her journey was like

Brian

Brian is a doctor, Sylvia’s husband, who mainly goes with the flow and is there to have a good time.

The actor is also known for their role in “Cherish The Day: Season 1.”

Sylvia

Sylvia is the matriarch of the Wesley family.

The actor is also known for their role in “The Quad: Season 2.”

Other Noteworthy Information

Where To Watch This:

Movie Contains: Drinking, Drug Use
The distributor is also known for “Dutch.”
The director is also known for “Stuck With You: Season 1.”

Collected Quote(s)

We lift as we climb. — Nomusa

Review

Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing) | 80/100

Audience

The “Wesley” franchise has always been about walking that line between Christmas movie appeal and giving you light-hearted drama, and for those who want their characters to go through something, or having been through something, yet still know how to express joy and thankfulness during the holidays, “A Wesley South African Christmas” is likely for you.

Highlights

You Don’t Really Miss The Characters Who Don’t Appear

A lot of members of the previous two movies aren’t part of this one. Chris is absent, and his twin girls, Cydney, Diana, and Jerome, calls in but isn’t seen. Believe me when I say you’ll be fine without them, and for most, there is some sort of idea of what is going on in their life. Jerome is on vacation, Chris spends the entire movie trying to get to South Africa, and the list goes on and on.

The Tone and Subject Matters Explored

The Wesley franchise has long mixed serious topics and strong feelings with the joyous nature of the holidays, and “A Wesley South African Christmas” is no different. From conversations about fertility and post-partum depression between Trina and Themba’s wife Lerato, a character worrying about potentially being sick, the franchise continues to address that life doesn’t go on pause just because it is Christmas.

In addition, it balances addressing that these people are privileged enough to go to South Africa but are still very much human. Characters like Marcus were once lost and in dark places. Gugu, as educated and successful as she is, still has insecurities. It’s all wonderfully put out there in a way that gives a sense of seriousness while remaining in the realm of jovial you expect for holiday movies, including silly characters who could have been cut.

On The Fence

The Question Of Whether Things Are Spread Too Thin

“A Wesley South African Christmas” has two families focused on, and while Themba and Gugu’s parents don’t have much going on, everyone else does. This means that between Todd and Ryan, Themba and his wife Lerato, Gugu, Brian, Sylvia, Todd’s cousin, Marcus, Gloria, Trina, Gugu and Themba’s brother, each one has something going on which is developed and focused on to varying degrees.

This could become frustrating. With such a large cast, your favorite actor or character, or a situation you relate to, is likely not going to be given the type of arc that feels thoroughly fleshed out. You’ll see the feelings rightfully associated, but everything will likely feel truncated to fit a relatively short movie length, considering the size of the ensemble in “A Wesley South African Christmas.”

Listed Under Categories: Movies, Positive (Worth Seeing)

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A Wesley South African Christmas (2024): Review and Summary