Apple TV+ introduces its thriller "Before" as an "atmospheric" show. However, this terms masks the reality of a 10-episode season with a slow narrative pace that can best be described as a series of repetitive scenes and visual themes leading to an unresolved conclusion.
"Before" stars Billy Crystal as Eli Adler, a child psychologist mourning the death of his wife Lynn, played by Judith Light. However, despite Crystal's contributing role as an executive producer, it lacks much of Crystal's charm, making his first series regular role since 2015 feel like a missed opportunity.
The narrative revolves around the character of Noah, a troubled eight-year-old who develops a bond with Eli. The plot thickens when Noah starts to display some unusual characteristics, including drawing a farmhouse identical to a photograph left by Lynn. Noah's hallucinations including tentacled creatures and imagery related to water, starkly reminiscent of the bathtub Lynn passed away in, add to the eerie mood created by pilot director Adam Bernstein.
However, Crystal's performance doesn't capture his iconic cynicism. This stands out as his character, Eli, starts teetering between skepticism and acceptance of the potentially paranormal elements of Noah's condition. The narrative is plagued by repetition, with the young Jupe tasked to reenact Noah’s fear and hallucinations, and Crystal, as Eli, displayed in repetitive scenes of increasing agitation.
The lack of diversity is not limited to the lead roles. The supporting cast, including Rosie Perez as Noah's foster mother Denise, and Ava Lalezarzadeh as Eli's assistant Cleo, are limited to a narrow set of emotions, reducing their roles to underdeveloped characters.
As Eli starts to experience the same uncanny encounters as Noah, the audience is drawn into a shared sense of Eli's frustration due to the slow progression of the central mystery. The suspense the series manages to create is not from the storyline itself, but from the abnormal pacing of its reveals that lack context or buildup.
The series leaves audience with more questions than answers. Whether Noah's troubles are tied to Lynn's past is vaguely touched upon. The ending deviates entirely from the storyline, keeping viewers in the dark regarding Eli's character development.
"Before" attempts to build an atmosphere more than a substantial storyline, leaving viewers awaiting the plot's progression even after the conclusion. The first two episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+, with subsequent episodes released every Friday.
