Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slow, repetitive psych thriller is intense and violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Before
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
BEFORE is a 10-part psychological thriller about a child psychiatrist who has a mysterious bond with a troubled boy. Child psychiatrist Eli (Billy Crystal) recently lost his wife, Lynn (Judith Light), to suicide, and the trauma has led to nightmares and waking visions of her. Amid his grief, a silent young boy (played by Jacobi Jupe) mysteriously shows up at his front steps twice, exhibiting odd behavior. Eventually, Eli learns that the boy's name is Noah and that he's a pleasant but troubled foster child who lives with Denise (Rosie Perez). Soon after, to his surprise, Eli is assigned Noah's case for evaluation. As he works with Noah, the boy's visions become more terrifying, and he becomes more destructive. It's not long before Eli realizes that he and Noah are connected in some frightening way, but he doesn't know how or why.
Is It Any Good?
The producers of this show try to deliver a moody psychological horror mystery filled with suspense, but only manage to give viewers a dark character-driven story that feels long and repetitive. Before's exceedingly slow narrative pace fails to give it the momentum necessary to keep the tension moving throughout the series' 30-minute installments in a way that's consistent and successful. Meanwhile, each episode features the same imagery, symbols, and other details without revealing anything new or relevant about them until the last two episodes, which makes it difficult to remain engaged. Much of the conclusion is bizarre and hard to understand, and one doesn't get the sense that this is done intentionally. Be aware there are some unsettling moments here and there, and one or two scenes that are extremely disturbing, in an otherwise sluggish, unremarkable tale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about popular movie and TV psychological thrillers. How do they keep the stories suspenseful until the end?
Billy Crystal is mainly known as a comedian. Does his cheerless performance in Before surprise you? Do you think comedians tackle drama well in general?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 25, 2024
- Cast : Billy Crystal , Jacobi Jupe , Rosie Perez , Judith Light
- Network : Apple TV
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 2, 2025
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