"Before" is Apple TV+'s newest psychological thriller

October 25, 2024

Courtesy: Apple TV+

"Before" is a gripping psychological thriller debuting on Apple TV+ starring and executive produced by Billy Crystal as Eli Adler. The series follows Eli, a child psychiatrist who, after recently losing his wife, Lynn, encounters a troubled young boy who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli's past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens. The series premieres on October 25 and has ten episodes, with new episodes released weekly.

Created by Sarah Thorp, "Before" is executive produced by Billy Crystal, Adam Bernstein, Eric Roth, Sarah Thorp, and Jet Wilkinson, with directors Adam Bernstein, Jet Wilkinson, David Petrarca, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, and Zetna Fuentes. Production companies are Jennilind Productions, My Name Is Cavale, Vanessa Productions, and Paramount Television Studios.

The series stars:

• Billy Crystal as Eli

• Jacobi Jupe as Noah

• Maria Dizzia as Barbara

• Ava Lalezarzadeh as Cleo

• Rosie Perez as Denise

• Judith Light as Lynn

• Sakina Jaffrey as Gail

• Miriam Shor as Sue Ann

• Itzhak Perlman as Drake

Courtesy: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has been on a roll in delivering quality content. With such hits, including Presumed Innocent, Pachinko, Disclaimer, Shrinking, and now Before. This newest psychological thriller is suspenseful, chilling, and incredibly engaging. Viewers have never seen Billy Crystal like this. The Real Perspectives have never seen Crystal like this as the veteran actor, known for his humor and comedic roles, takes on a completely different tone with the supernatural series. There's nothing funny about Crystal's Eli. He is absolutely superb in a role that gives emotional pathos, grieving the death of his wife, and has reclusively stopped seeing patients till one day, Noah mysteriously shows up on his doorstep. Aided by one of his colleagues, he's inclined to help the boy. Noah is a troubled kid, and that's putting it lightly. He is traumatized with severe anger issues, prone to violent outbursts, has unexplainable dark hallucinations and premonitions, and speaks in a foreign language that Eli does not understand. Eli is a practical person, being a psychiatrist, and thinks there has to be a logical, scientific reason to explain Noah's creepy behavior but there is not. As he tries to help Noah, he starts having the same creepy visions as Naoh and realizes they are inexplicably connected. How exactly are they connected especially when the boy ominously says, "I know what you did."

Courtesy: Apple TV+

There are many supernatural thrillers to choose from; however, Crystal's dramatic performance alone is worth seeing in this series. He is riveting, submerged in the role of Eli, with an intelligent screenplay with many mysterious twists and turns. Rosie Perez is also fantastic as Noah's foster mom, and Jacobi Jupe as Noah is fantastic as the young actor is exceptionally talented. The musical scores give palpable, genuine scares. Even though Lynn is dead, Judith Light remains present as Eli continues to have conversations with her throughout the series. It's always great seeing the venerable Light on our screens.

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The first episode of Before is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

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