Is New Material Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2021)

📖 The Core Premise

New Material returns to the screen in 2021, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Cassim Caif is a young Muslim man living in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. Heʼs balancing the demands of a new marriage, a young child, and living in a house with his ageing parents with being one of South Africaʼs few Muslim stand-up comedians. His father, Ebrahim, has reluctantly accepted his sonʼs chosen career—for now—but is still simmering over the issue."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In New Material, even the presence of Riaad Moosa struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is New Material worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, New Material misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 101 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.