By the time we reach the third word (which cannot be mentioned here), it becomes evident to anyone with senses that Fatal Seduction is not the type of show you watch with your parents. The opening sequence is quite entertaining. Remember how old-fashioned title sequences used to include clips of our beloved characters laughing and posing for the camera? Well, it’s similar to that, except instead of laughing and posing, the attractive Fatal Seduction cast is introduced through steamy narration and sweaty sex montages. Everyone seems to be involved, and they all appear to be moving in slow motion. This steamy and amusing display concludes with one person on a hospital stretcher and another being taken away in a police van.
But fear not—Fatal Seduction is not, as you might have assumed, a series about painful sex injuries. Instead, it revolves around a woman who has a one-night stand with the wrong person. Yes, it is a South African adaptation of the 2020 Mexican thriller, Dark Desire (another hit on Netflix). No, it’s not as humorous as the streamer’s other popular sexy drama, Sex/Life. But it has potential.
The story centers around a wealthy couple in Cape Town, Nandi Mahlati (played by Kgomotso Christopher), a university law professor, and her husband Leonard (played by Thapelo Mokoena), an esteemed judge with a license plate that literally reads ‘JUDGE.’ Flashbacks reveal that Nandi recently experienced a miscarriage, resulting in Leonard becoming unsupportive and distant. Nandi suspects he is having an affair with his assistant. To take her mind off things, she goes on a weekend getaway with her fun-loving best friend Brenda (played by Lunathi Mampofu). But wait, what’s that coming over the hill? It’s Jacob (played by Prince Grootboom), a charming and fit individual who catches Nandi’s attention at the beach. Later, they meet on a yacht, and he impresses her with his knowledge of the law.
Eventually, Nandi succumbs to temptation, leading to their first intimate scene where Nandi breaks a wine glass and Jacob tears her dress. Personal belongings are blatantly disregarded in this series, but let’s not get sidetracked. A delightful twist is about to occur, and everyone’s lives are about to change. The following Monday, Nandi is shocked to find Jacob as a new student in her class. Things take a turn for the worse when Brenda is found dead in her bathtub later that day. While the evidence points towards suicide, Nandi refuses to believe it.
Fortunately, Jacob is there to lend a supportive ear (among other things), but can this part-time law student and full-time sexy mechanic be trusted? Based on the hand-drawn pictures of Nandi on his desk, it seems unlikely. Add a private investigator brother (Vuyo, played by Nat Ramabulana), a murder-themed subplot, and a mysterious secret admirer of Nandi’s teenage daughter (Zinhle, played by Ngele Ramulondi), and we have ourselves a captivating little mystery.
It’s inevitable to draw comparisons to Fatal Attraction. However, criticizing this exaggerated and serious melodrama for its soapiness would be unfair. That would be like criticizing a Tom Cruise film for having too many scenes of Tom Cruise running from explosions. These aspects are expected, and they’re why we enjoy watching them in the first place. Fatal Seduction may not be quality television, but it seems to understand that. It’s tempting to wish the actors had a second chance to deliver their clumsy lines, but sometimes the lines don’t really matter. As long as everyone gets the job done, so to speak, then it’s all good.
Kudos to our attractive cast for their endeavors to make the intimate scenes appear comfortable. In one particular scene, Nandi and Jacob engage in their activities on the hood of a car. It’s the strangest thing to happen in a mechanic’s shop since Grease, but our dedicated leads manage to make it work without anyone falling off the vehicle. Bravo, indeed.
A quick glance at this week’s Netflix TV charts reveals Fatal Seduction soaring near the top. We get the television we deserve, so good luck with it.
Fatal Seduction is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Rating: Two stars
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