Prepare to be spooked, tech aficionados and horror enthusiasts! Billy Crystal, the beloved comedian who once charmed us with his wit and humor, takes a chilling detour into the realm of psychological horror with Apple TV+’s “Before.” This isn’t your typical jump-scare fest; instead, “Before” weaves a tapestry of suspense, delving into the complexities of grief, guilt, and the lingering impact of the past.
Before
Imagine a man grappling with the devastating loss of his wife, haunted by visions of her and burdened by unspoken truths. This is the reality of Eli Adler, a child psychiatrist portrayed with chilling authenticity by Billy Crystal. Eli’s world, already shrouded in grief, takes an even darker turn when a mysterious, mute boy named Noah (Jacobi Jupe) enters his life.
Noah, a troubled foster child with an uncanny ability to express his inner turmoil through hauntingly evocative drawings, becomes Eli’s patient. As their therapy sessions progress, an unsettling connection between them emerges, hinting at a shared past shrouded in mystery. A farmhouse that appears repeatedly in Noah’s drawings, shared nightmares of drowning in ominous black waters, and whispers of a prior encounter where Eli allegedly harmed Noah – these elements intertwine, creating a web of suspense that will leave you craving answers.
“Before” masterfully utilizes classic horror tropes, giving them a contemporary twist. Birds crashing into windows, music spontaneously playing from a laptop, and even xenoglossy (Noah speaking 17th-century Dutch) contribute to the eerie atmosphere. But the series doesn’t shy away from more visceral horror elements either; pencils piercing necks and bathtubs filled with blood-red water will satisfy those with a taste for the macabre.
With ten half-hour episodes, “Before” adopts a deliberate pace, allowing the suspense to build gradually. While some viewers might find the pacing slow, it serves to amplify the psychological tension and allows for a deeper exploration of the characters’ inner turmoil. We witness Eli’s descent into the depths of his own guilt and grief as he confronts his failures as a husband and therapist, haunted by the realization that his wife sought solace in others while he remained oblivious.
One of the most captivating aspects of “Before” is Billy Crystal’s remarkable transformation. He sheds his comedic persona entirely, delivering a raw and vulnerable performance as a man wrestling with unimaginable pain and confronting the darkest corners of his past. Crystal’s portrayal of Eli is both nuanced and powerful, showcasing the actor’s impressive range and reminding us of his dramatic capabilities.
Jacobi Jupe, who plays Noah, delivers a performance that is both chilling and heartbreaking. He embodies the troubled and enigmatic Noah with remarkable depth, further enhancing the series’ eerie atmosphere. Jupe’s performance serves as a testament to the incredible talent emerging from the new generation of young actors.
“Before” is not just a triumph of storytelling and acting; it’s also a technical masterpiece. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the unsettling atmosphere with precision. The sound design is equally impressive, using subtle cues and chilling sound effects to heighten the suspense. And the special effects, while used sparingly, are effective in creating truly unsettling moments.
“Before” is a chilling and thought-provoking psychological thriller that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Billy Crystal’s transformative performance and Jacobi Jupe’s haunting portrayal of Noah are highlights, supported by a strong supporting cast and masterful technical execution. While the pacing may not appeal to those seeking instant gratification, the series rewards patient viewers with a deeply unsettling and emotionally resonant experience.
