There are many TV shows that started out as niche gems, hidden treasures that took time for audiences to discover. Breaking Bad, Schitt’s Creek, and Hacks are just a few examples of shows that didn’t initially receive widespread attention. Many of them didn’t have a big promotional push when their first season premiered – there were no flashy ads on Times Square’s NASDAQ Tower, no gripping trailers playing every few minutes during prime-time commercial breaks. These shows relied mainly on their own brilliance to find their audience and eventually became acclaimed hits.
Apple TV+’s new psychological thriller Before feels like it could follow a similar path. While it may take some time to reach a broader audience, it has all the qualities of a brilliant show that will soon be on everyone’s must-watch list. Written and created by Sarah Thorp and featuring acting powerhouses Billy Crystal and Judith Light as well as Rosie Perez, and rising star Jacobi Jupe, the limited series promises to hook viewers from its very first scene.
The story centers on child psychologist Eli Adler (Crystal), who is grieving the recent loss of his wife Lynn (Light). Emotionally adrift and wrestling with feelings of guilt, Eli’s routine is disrupted when a young boy (Jupe) mysteriously appears at his doorstep, drawing him in with his unsettling, almost cryptic behavior. As their paths cross again and again, it quickly becomes clear that the boy didn’t just randomly find Eli’s home – they’re connected in some deeper way. When Eli takes the kid on as a patient, he soon realizes that the boy’s violent outbursts are rooted in fear and may be something far more complex than they first appear.
Billy Crystal, who also serves as an executive producer, brings remarkable depth to the role of Eli. While he's widely recognized for his comedic work, Crystal’s role in Before unveils a powerful – and for many, a new – dimension of his talent. His dedication to capturing the complexity and emotional weight of Eli’s character results in a nuanced, captivating portrayal that’s truly worth watching.
However, it’s not just Crystal who shines in Before – the entire cast delivers outstanding performances. The four leads – Crystal, Light, Perez, and Jupe – share a seamless on-screen chemistry that makes every interaction captivating. While Crystal and Jupe dominate much of the pilot episode, Judith Light also leaves a lasting impact, despite her limited screentime in the frist episode. In just a few short moments, Light masterfully conveys the deep emotional hold her character, Lynn, had – and continues to have – on Eli. Her facial expressions alone communicate volumes, making her presence resonate far beyond the scenes she’s in. The short but powerful moments between Light and Crystal hint at even more emotionally charged interactions between their characters in future episodes.
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| “The Scientist” - BEFORE, Pictured: Judith Ligth & Billy Crystal. AppleTV+ ©2024 AppleTV+. All Rights Reserved |
Although Before is primarily a thriller, elements of other genres are cleverly woven in, delivering some unexpected surprises. This is especially the case in the opening scene: It kicks off with an intense moment that will have you on the edge of your seat, peeking through your fingers. Then, in a sudden shift, the tone changes so dramatically that you might wonder if you’ve accidentally switched channels. But rest assured – you have not. Keep watching, you won’t regret it!
The show will dive into profound existential questions about life, sparking reflections that will stay with you well after the credits roll.
The first two episodes of Before premiere on Friday, October 25th, on Apple TV+ with a new episode available every Friday until the finale on December 20th. The streaming service typically releases new episodes at midnight Eastern Time.
Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments below!
