Promotional Materials for “Before” Disappoint With Lackluster Atmosphere

The promotional materials for “Before” describe the Apple TV+ thriller as “atmospheric,” which is a euphemistic way of saying the 10-part season is a lot of vamping for precious little payoff. Even with half-hour episodes, several coming in under the 25-minute mark, this drama still manages to drag, endlessly repeating the same setups and visual themes to buy time until an unsatisfying conclusion. In a serial form like television, atmosphere without momentum is a recipe for a stagnant swamp.

Disappointing Performance Despite Star Power

One can at least admire “Before” for prioritizing its dreary, mudbound mood over even its central performance, the element so many other limited series build themselves around in the hopes star power will attract our divided attention. Created by Sarah Thorp (“Damien”), “Before” stars Billy Crystal as Eli Adler, a child psychologist reeling from the death of his wife Lynn (Judith Light) after a long battle with cancer. But despite Crystal’s involvement as an executive producer, the comedy legend’s first series regular role since 2015 is a frustrating waste of his sardonic charm.

Repetitive Plot and Character Development

Eli’s grief is interrupted by the arrival of Noah, a troubled 8-year-old who seems drawn to Eli even before he’s officially in the older man’s care. Noah’s condition has some uncanny attributes, leading to repetitive exchanges between the characters that do little to advance the plot. Crystal’s performance lacks the wry cynicism that defines his screen presence, leaving viewers wanting for more depth in his character.

Lack of Development in Central Mystery

As the runtime of “Before” outpaces any meaningful developments in its central mystery, the audience starts to identify with Eli’s agony. Clues into what’s afflicting Noah are sparse, and the plot’s final destination feels disjointed from the rest of the series. The show struggles to build suspense and fails to provide a satisfying conclusion that sheds light on the characters.

Missed Opportunities for Character Exploration

“Before” could have delved deeper into Eli’s character as a skeptic in denial or explored his strained relationship with his adult daughter. Instead, the show opts to spin its wheels, leading to a conclusion that leaves much to be desired. While it may excel in building an atmosphere, “Before” falls short in delivering a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Streaming Information

The first two episodes of “Before” are now available to stream on Apple TV+, with remaining episodes airing weekly on Fridays.