Showmax has unveiled the trailer for Tiek Tok Boem!, an explosive new documentary set to premiere on 18 February 2025.
The 90-minute documentary delves into the controversial world of Afrikaans TikTokers, whose live-streamed dramas have taken the platform to shocking new heights.
While TikTok is often associated with dance trends and viral memes, Tiek Tok Boem! exposes a darker side of the social media giant.
A new wave of local content creators is turning the platform into a battleground, where cyberbullying and substance abuse unfold in real-time.
The documentary is created by Rian van Heerden and Provoco, the team behind the SAFTA-winning Sex in Afrikaans. It follows some of South Africa’s most controversial TikTok figures, including Christiaan Otto (Christiaan met 2 A’s), Amelda Claassen (Queen Amelda), Leigh Pascheka Husselman (Leigh Pascheka), Johnny van Rensburg (King Binlaken), and Teresa van der Bergh (Terrible Tess), who collectively have over 100 million views.
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According to Rian, these so-called ‘Drama Lives’ have become a digital spectacle reminiscent of ancient gladiatorial battles, where the audience fuels the chaos with views and monetary support. Tiek Tok Boem! explores how these creators generate thousands of rands per week through live streaming while enduring intense online scrutiny and harassment.
“It’s a chilling look at the dark side of TikTok fame,” Rian explains. “We kept hearing the term ‘The Colosseum’ in relation to these live streams, where anything goes for entertainment. The question is, where do we draw the line between fame and catastrophe?”
The documentary also examines why this phenomenon is particularly prominent in Afrikaans culture. “Why do Afrikaans people engage in this kind of behaviour—cyberbullying each other, stirring conflict—and why do we reward them with money and fame for doing it?” Rian asks.
Tiek Tok Boem! features expert insights from Devilsdorp star and journalist Marizka Coetzer, social media influencer Themba Robin, comedian and writer Melanie du Toit, and psychologist Sanam Naran.
As Marizka warns in the trailer, “It is a disaster waiting to happen. You’re just waiting for it to blow up.”
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Feature Images: TikTok / Terrible Tess, Queen Amelda, Leigh Pascheka
