In 2021 there were 96 recorded CIT incidents in the United States over 12 months and for 333 million people. In South African population is 60 million so we divide 333 million by 60 million and that means 17 incidents per 60 million people in USA. In South Africa they have 289 CIT incidents per year for 60 Million. 17 Incidents in USA versus 289 Incidents in Republic of South Africa each year. In other words Cash in Transit robberies is a way of life in South Africa. Xavier_Stone obviously knows nothing about South Africa because he says the TV Series starts with a rip off of the movie Heat (1995). Actually Heat is most probably based on the real South African Cash in Transit heists which have been occurring in South Africa since the 1980's. Ask any South African and they will confirm this.
The murder scene in the first episode is also not ripped off from a movie, this could easily be a real life scene, which happens too often in South Africa. Also the political and corruption aspects of the series are accurate. As well as the use of Sangoma's to ward off evil spirits and gangsters wild spinning of cars. This Netflix original, Soon Comes Night, isn't stolen from other movies, this is actually a pretty realistic portrayal of cash in transit gangsters living in South Africa.
No, this isn't the best TV series you will ever watch but it is a lot better than you might expect as long as you don't compare apples to oranges. This is an African TV series made for Africans, telling an African crime drama story. You cannot compare it to American TV; doing so would be unfair. The South African producers have done a great job, and it's evident that their skills are on the rise. Yes, there will be familiar crime drama plot elements and dialogue however the production team have crafted a worthy piece of work with good sets, cinematography, colouring, and well-chosen music.
The actors are believable and the story is engaging enough. The gangsters are stylised, muscle bound and acting cool, on purpose because they need to be palatable to the wider audience and this is a TV series not a documentary. The story lines are not unrealistic and over the top like too many American TV series.
What the production team has achieved on a small budget is impressive and obviously this TV series can not compete with big budget productions, remember "it's done with a $200 budget", that is $200k not $20 million.
If you have an interest in an African crime drama, you'll find this series intriguing.
