Before

I have to agree with a lot of the negative comments as well as some positives. Primarily Billy Chrystal has the chops to pull this non-comedic character off which was refreshing to see in episodes 1&2. As far as story line and repetition, that's where you start scratching your head with episode 3 and presumably 4 as character development continues and plot is laid out.

A renowned psychiatrist later in life (Eli's character is ridiculously Ok boomer) is dealing with the death of his wife who apparently died by suicide in the hallway bathtub while fighting cancer. Eli's world is bleak and out of nowhere a kid shows up clearly in distress but nobody knows why other than it's very creepy. Lo & behold Eli is a child psychiatrist and is asked to take his case. I didn't have a problem with this, it was interesting enough to get my attention. By episode 3 that setup & interest has been squandered on super cliche tropes & highly repetitive suspense and supernatural clues. As someone mentioned Eli is kind of bad at his job and doesn't seem to care much about anyone's feelings but his own which ties into the way his boomer character is written along with the women & the corny black best friend character that's shown smoking a joint in his fancy university office. Really? Black friend who listens to jazz and is into drugs who solely exists as the confessional for the main character who shows zero emotional intelligence towards literally everyone he encounters except the court case worker with whom he appears perfectly normal for the sake of convincing her has to continue treating the kid. As someone who has worked in the mental health field and with psychiatrists I can attest to the fact that most psych MDs are painfully self righteous but wow you don't immediately call the cops on a kid when you have a vast professional network at your disposal. Clues about how Noah is connected to wife's suicide are so trite & repetitive to the point where you stop caring if she killed herself if Eli had anything to do with it or why. I will keep watching when I need downtime and don't wanna think but a wasted opportunity for Chrystal's acting chops and natural command of the small screen with a meh script that frankly had the writers getting lazy early on.

I don't want to give anything away here but Holy Guacamole I have never seen Billy Crystal in anything like this and he really belongs here! He is giving me the innocent victim slash something very dark and disturbed going on here vibes.

In fact I am really happy with all of the cast here, what a great line up! Happy to see Judith Light again and Rosie always impresses but that little boy - fantastic!

SO This is a thriller, but it ain't no ordinary thriller, this has a bit of everything going on and it's scary! Like cinematic experience in this will give you some chills especially those darn close ups because it's coupled with some good old fashioned haunting creepy music - even at times nothing much is happening it will make you feel like your losing your mind cause you're scared lol There are parts in this that scared the bejesus out of me and I was like "'who came up with this" and Billy Crystal in a thriller ? What now? But he is good. He is so so so very good!!

Oh there is a storyline here , don't worry about that and you're going to be intrigued by it but get ready for the jumps , cause 2 episodes in and all I can say is you best go lock the doors and now go check them again hahaha I loved it!

Apple tv's "Before" has absolutely did a great start in its first 2 episodes. First of all, great performances by Billy crystal and the young kid, Jacobi jupe, Noah's character is extremely creepy, i mean, i had goosebumps!!!. Also, i can't wait to learn more for this character, what connection he has with Eli, and of course, what happened with Lynn. I think that this show is gonna be very, very interesting and will deliver us another great thriller series, and of course another reason to give your money to Apple TV+. So, i give this show an 8 out of 10, because i had a long time to feel so shocked by this kind of series, i hope you support my opinion.

The series begins with a slow pace, but it gradually gains momentum after a few episodes. It prompts you to reflect on mental health, only to evolve into something far more intricate. The incorporation of paranormal elements adds an intriguing layer that exceeds initial expectations. However, I found the repetitive focus on the child's physical symptoms somewhat excessive, leading to wasted screen time. That said, as the season progresses, the paranormal plotlines begin to coalesce, enhancing the overall narrative. I'm currently on episode 7, and I can confidently say that I would not have continued watching if it hadn't introduced more unique elements beyond just mental health.

Before starring Billy Crystal is a disappointment, failing to deliver on its potential despite its talented lead. The film tries to blend heartfelt drama with humor, but its execution feels flat and predictable. Crystal, usually a magnetic presence, feels miscast here, struggling to inject life into a character that never quite resonates. The plot, centered around love, regret, and second chances, comes off as clichéd, relying on tired tropes rather than exploring new emotional territory. The pacing is sluggish, dragging through scenes that lack both depth and genuine feeling. Even the dialogue, which should be the show's strong suit, often falls into awkward or forced moments, undermining any sincerity. Ultimately, Before feels like a missed opportunity-a film with potential that never quite realizes it.