Before is a 10-episode psychological thriller limited series, not a movie—and Billy Crystal is its central figure, not an afterthought. But the series gives his performance too little sharply drawn material to make its story of grief and a troubled boy’s apparent connection to the past fully land. It is a frustrating fit for viewers hoping for a substantial character drama as well as a mystery.
What is Before about?
Created by Sarah Thorp, Before follows Eli, a child psychiatrist mourning his wife, Lynn. His work brings him into contact with Noah, a troubled young boy who seems to have an unsettling connection to Eli’s past. The premise leaves room for psychological and supernatural explanations, while tying the mystery to Eli’s grief. Apple describes the series as atmospheric and character-driven, though the execution does not consistently give those ambitions the emotional weight they need. Apple’s series listing
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Project Hail Mary (DVD) | $18.14 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![DreamWorks 10-Movie Adventure Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fTUaDeW2L._SL160_.jpg)
|
DreamWorks 10-Movie Adventure Collection [DVD] | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517V0oFkWtL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy [DVD] | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eFFAvmTtL._SL160_.jpg)
|
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [DVD] | $5.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (DVD) | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Does Billy Crystal get enough to work with?
Crystal plays Eli, and the show’s premise depends on the audience staying close to a grieving man whose judgment and memories may not be reliable. That makes his role essential: the mystery needs to feel personal, not merely like a series of strange events happening around him. Yet Before does not develop Eli with enough precision to make that emotional center as compelling as the concept suggests. Crystal is not literally an afterthought in the cast; rather, the writing leaves his central character short of the depth the story requires.
Judith Light plays Lynn, and Jacobi Jupe plays Noah. Rosie Perez, Maria Dizzia, and Ava Lalezarzadeh are also among the announced cast. The premise offers a potentially rich triangle of grief, care, and uncertainty, but the most important test is whether the characters feel like people beyond their function in the mystery. In this series, that balance is uneven.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
Does the mystery sustain its 10 episodes?
The show asks viewers to keep weighing psychological explanations against the possibility of something supernatural. That ambiguity can be effective when each revelation deepens character or changes how earlier scenes read. Here, the progression can feel repetitive, and the mystery does not always build enough momentum to reward the time it takes to unfold. Across 10 episodes, a slow-burn story needs meaningful shifts in both its relationships and its central question; Before is less persuasive when atmosphere substitutes for development.
Time critic Judy Berman’s review, published October 25, 2024, is also sharply negative, criticizing the series’ dialogue, pacing, characterization, and use of trauma as a plot device. Those are Berman’s judgments, not objective measures, but they identify the same kinds of weaknesses that can make this particular blend of grief drama and thriller feel emotionally thin. Read Berman’s review at Time.
Rank #2
Is Before worth watching?
It may appeal to viewers drawn to an eerie mystery about bereavement, a psychiatrist and a child whose connection seems to reach beyond the present. But those looking for a tightly paced thriller or a deeply developed portrait of grief may find that its premise promises more than the storytelling delivers. The show is most interesting as an idea—a grieving clinician trying to understand a child and, through him, his own past—than as a consistently rewarding 10-episode experience.
As a dated measure of reception rather than a verdict, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 30% Tomatometer from 33 critic reviews and a 53% Popcornmeter from 100+ audience ratings on October 4, 2026. These are aggregator snapshots, not representative surveys of all critics or viewers. See the Rotten Tomatoes listing.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
Where can you watch Before?
Apple’s official listing names Apple TV as the viewing destination. Availability can vary by region and over time, so check the service’s current catalog where you live. The announced global release began October 25, 2024, with two episodes, followed by weekly episodes through December 20, 2024. Apple’s release announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Movie dvd
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
