Umjolo: The Gone Girl 2024 Movie Review
Lethu, an accomplished event planner, loyal friend, and hopeless romantic shares a seemingly perfect relationship with her boyfriend, Lucky. When tasked with organising Mayi’s umemulo, Lethu plans the event flawlessly. Although initially hesitant, the Jamas are impressed and offer Lethu the opportunity to plan their upcoming wedding.
Themba, Lucky’s brother and husband to Bridget, a notorious serial cheater, is introduced when Bridget discovers another woman’s pants while doing his laundry. Frustrated, Bridget confronts Themba, prompting him to call on his “perfect” brother, Lucky, to help repair their relationship. This cycle of infidelity and reconciliation has become a familiar routine for both Bridget and Themba.
Meanwhile, Amanda, Lethu’s best friend and assistant, arrives unexpectedly at Lethu and Lucky’s home, complaining that she forgot to order the cake for a client’s baby shower. Upset by Amanda’s lack of organisation, Lucky advises Lethu to distance herself from Amanda. In response, Amanda accuses Lucky of holding Lethu back from her friendships.
At Lethu and Lucky’s engagement party, tensions come to a head when Bridget discovers Themba flirting with another woman yet again. But this is not the only shock: Lucky had been having an affair with Amanda. However, Lethu is unaware of this betrayal.
Meanwhile, Lethu and Amanda begin planning Jamas’ wedding, and Lethu visits a gynaecologist, initially concerned about a UTI. To her shock, she learns she has Chlamydia, an STI. Confronting Lucky about his infidelity, he admits to cheating but refuses to disclose with whom. Lethu later goes through Lucky’s phone, she finds evidence of multiple affairs.
Chapter 2 begins with Thembi being chased by high school students after being caught cheating. However, this event marks a turning point for Thembi, as he begins to reflect on his actions.
After a difficult conversation with Lucky, he admits that monogamy feels suffocating to him and asks for a chance to occasionally step outside their relationship, without it affecting his love for Lethu. In response, Lethu returns her engagement ring, choosing to leave him. Seeking advice and solace, Lethu visits her grandmother, who encourages her to confront her problems directly. Meanwhile, Lucky, struggling with the breakup, seeks counsel from Thembi, who is turning her life around. Amanda also attempts to rekindle things with Lucky, but he refuses.
Lethu eventually decides to return to Lucky, agreeing to his terms, but with a condition: they must enter an open relationship, as long as they avoid being involved with people they both know. Lucky reluctantly agrees.
Chapter 3 explores the consequences of an open relationship. Thembi, having committed to turning his life around, spends more time at home, showing affection and attention to Bridget. However, Bridget begins to feel overwhelmed and suffocated by Thembi’s drastic shift. Thembi confides in Lucky, admitting that while he is trying to change, he still cheats, but now in a more discreet and calculated manner. He also warns Lucky that Lethu may have fallen out of love with him.
Lethu, struggling with the terms of the open relationship, seeks advice from Amanda, who encourages her to embrace the new freedom. Meanwhile, Lucky continues his affair with Amanda, who starts demanding more attention from him. Lethu finds it increasingly difficult to step outside her relationship, while Lucky continues to live according to the terms of their agreement.
Eventually, Bridget uncovers Thembi’s ongoing infidelity, deepening the strain on their relationship. As Mayi weds her partner, Lethu begins to reflect on her own future with Lucky. The breaking point comes when she walks in on Lucky and Amanda together, leading her to question the viability of her relationship with him.
