SPOTLIGHT | Deadly deception and daring thieves in cinema and pantomime magic on the stage - TimesLIVE
Spotlight is our bite-size entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.
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The festive season is almost here and Spotlight has your entertainment lineup covered. This week we uncover a deadly game of deception, follow a crew of daring thieves and head down the rabbit hole for merry magic.
She’s the queen of crime fiction, but now she’s caught in a deadly game of her own in A Talent for Murder. A mysterious young publisher tries to convince a legendary crime novelist to write one final Ripley novel, setting off a twisted game of manipulation and deception. Directed by Anton Corbijn, the gripping thriller stars Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren alongside Alden Ehrenreich and Olivia Cooke. When fiction meets reality, who will have the final word? A Talent for Murder is in cinemas.
They’re not only robbing banks, they’re breaking the internet in the action-packed heist comedy How to Rob a Bank. A crew of daring thieves pulls off dangerous heists while settling an old score, but with the FBI closing in, their quest for revenge could cost them everything. From Bullet Train and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch, the film stars Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Anna Sawai and Pete Davidson. Crime pays, until it doesn’t. How to Rob a Bank is showing at cinemas.
We’re going down the rabbit hole for joyful magic with Janice Honeyman’s Alice in Wonderland, showing at the Joburg Theatre until December 24. Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic comes to life in a spectacular production filled with dazzling costumes, original music, hilarious characters and plenty of surprises. Starring Ashley Scott as Alice, veteran actors Desmond Dube and Brendan van Rhyn, and a talented supporting cast, this larger than life adventure promises a magical experience for the whole family. Spotlight caught up with some of the cast and experienced the magic for ourselves.
For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies.
Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.
Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.
Win tickets to Janice Honeyman’s Alice in Wonderland pantomime for the November 21 2026 performance in Johannesburg.
For full competition details and the question, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by November 20 2026.
Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
