Why is How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding still thought to be a movie?

Netflix SA’s How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding is still thought to be a movie by some, despite there being three episodes in the first season of the series. 

In November 2020, Netflix South Africa announced the impending release of South Africa’s first-ever Christmas-themed program to be commissioned by it, How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding. Produced by the Ramaphakela siblings under their successful production house, Burnt Onion, the series’ promotional campaign was clouded by mystery and unanswered questions.

What viewers knew of the story was the suggestive and concise description that was provided at the time, which stated, “Prodigal daughter Tumi (played by Busi Lurayi) goes home for the holidays and manages to ruin her sister’s (played by Thando Thabethe) wedding plans. Now she must make things right before it’s too late.”

In light of the secrecy of it all, it was believed to be a movie, a movie in the style of famous Christmas-themed classics such as Home Alone from the United States and Love Actually from Europe. However, when it was eventually released, it premiered as a three-part series. That has still not deterred some from referring to the series as a movie.

This could be because the three-part series provides a well-rounded narrative and abides by the conventions of most movies. One of the tenets of a well-made movie is that it should have a clear beginning, middle and ending. The three-part series’ first season does just that, with the only difference being that the beginning, middle and ending are not presented as a two-hour movie. The series offers three one-hour episodes that can be binge-watched.

With confirmation of a second season of the series, it will be interesting to see whether it maintains its three-part format or whether it will extend the number of episodes. This would affirm it as a series and not a movie.