34 Thoughts I had While Watching What About The Boys 2
- BY THABISO MALUMANE
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
When you first hear the title What About the Boys?, your immediate reaction is almost instinctive: “Yeah… What about the boys?” It sounds like the kind of question people throw around whenever conversations about women’s pain, safety, or experiences take center stage, but the film cleverly flips that familiar phrase into something far more layered, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking than expected.
What begins as a seemingly straightforward drama slowly unfolds into a conversation about accountability, masculinity, vulnerability, and the emotional gaps that society often ignores when it comes to young men, Rather than turning the story into a defensive “men versus women” debate, the film tries to sit in the messy middle showing how boys are shaped by silence, peer pressure, ego, and emotional repression.
The educational anti-GBV sequel What About the Boys? 2 directed by Sanele Zulu, continues the franchise’s focus on gender-based violence, masculinity, and social accountability through a youth-centered South African lens.
The conversations in the film feel true to the experiences and realities of South African youth, giving the story a raw and believable edge. Its message comes across strongly without feeling forced, allowing the emotions and situations to speak for themselves. Here are 34 thoughts I had will watching What About The Boys 2 premier, spoilers alert:
Oh wow this is a strong cast.
Oh! Zolisa Xaluva, love him, he always brings the character to life
Thabo is a good kid, I hope he makes it
Does Ryan need all these energy drinks?
This will not end well for Nomsa shame
Zihle is so strong headed
Yeah the saxophones go louder for Nomsa
Lerato is a good friend though
Ryan’s stepdad gives me creepy vibes
Ntate Mokoena is a great pillar for Thabo, I hope he does not sway away
Sipho can not be serious…..
Why does uncle Rolando look familiar….ohhhhhh
Sipho no!!!!!
Bra Bae is a typical predator
Oh no baby, think this through….
Ntate Mokoena really cares for this boy, wish there were more of him in our community
Ausi Thandi needs to lock this man out
Lerato should not feel pressured to do this though
Who is this young lady sending pictures to? Good grief
Bra bae deserved that and more actually
“ Who is we? We speak french now”
20K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew Ryan's dad was on some creepy stuff man
Thabo’s mother is so nurturing I see where Thabo gets his compassion from
Lerato is a good sister, block that boy!!!
I hope Ronaldo does not shoot that boy
Revenge porn is never a good gotcha moment
I hope they all pass matric
Finally Ryan gets the help he needs
I am glad Ausi Thandi got to talk to Lerato
Nobody got shot yet, Thank god
Yess! the stepdad deserves to be arrested and the mom is on her kids side for once
Finally Thandi!, It is about time you got rid of that man, locked the doors and changed the locks
A happy ending, I was not expecting it
