“When lies, power, and hate collide… the truth is the last thing that remains.”
From TV to Film: A Bold Move Once a long-running series that made a huge splash on OWN, The Haves and the Have Nots was a milestone that affirmed Tyler Perry’s position in the American black television industry. In 2025, Perry decided to bring this universe of intrigue, power, and tragedy to the big screen – and it was not just a risk, but a spectacular move.
Plot: When Secrets Have No Place to Hide
The film begins a few years after the ambiguous ending of the original series. The Cryer family – with their powerful father Jim Cryer (played by John Schneider) – is trying to save their reputation and remaining power after a series of political scandals. But the ghosts of the past never sleep.
Candace Young (Tika Sumpter) – now an ambitious businesswoman – unexpectedly returns to Savannah with a single goal: to reclaim what is hers. Meanwhile, Veronica Harrington (Meagan Good, reprising her role with a bold style) is secretly building an underground empire to take revenge on all those who betrayed her.
Each character has a secret. Every conversation is a psychological blow. And every decision leads to unpredictable consequences.
Acting: Brainy, powerful and full of depth
Meagan Good brings a new version of Veronica Harrington: not too flamboyant but cold and haunting. She doesn’t need to scream – just a look is enough to make the opponent tremble. Meanwhile, Tika Sumpter continues to prove why Candace is one of the most complex characters in the Tyler Perry universe – both a victim of injustice and a “predator” who knows how to take advantage of every weakness.
Cory Hardrict plays a young lawyer, new to the film but a key player in the new game – he is both a pawn and a player.
Technique and direction: A balance between drama and cinema
Tyler Perry retains his signature “quality” – long but deep dialogue, unexpected twists, and a constant tension. However, this time, everything is elevated with a large cinematic setting, modern noir lighting, and a cleaner, more coherent editing rhythm. The flashbacks are also handled delicately, highlighting each character’s motivations without confusing the plot.
Message: Wealth can’t buy forgiveness
Underneath the dramatic facade, the film still retains the spirit that has been consistent throughout the original TV series: a world where inequality is not just about money, but also about moral authority. “The Haves” are not just people with money, but people with the ability to hide, manipulate and survive – no matter the cost.
Score: 8.5/10
Genre: Drama, social psychology, mystery
Suitable audience: People who have watched the original series, or audiences who love family drama, power and confrontation.
Notable quote in the movie:
“You think money makes you powerful. But real power? That’s knowing where the bodies are buried.”
The Haves and the Have Nots (2025) is not just a sequel – it is an affirmation that power cannot bury the past, and the truth always has a way of rising to the surface. If you love the drama of Scandal, the confrontation of Empire, and the mind-bending drama of Succession – this is the movie you should not miss.
