BEEF Season 1 Review: Uneven But Compelling
Netflix’s new series, BEEF, pits Ali Wong and Steven Yeun against each other in an uneven but compelling exploration of rage, mental health, and the pressures of modern life.
The series follows the escalating conflict between Wong’s Amy and Yeun’s Danny after a road rage incident between the two strangers on the first episode. With each choice, the consequences for the pair become more extreme and eventually unravel their lives and ensnare their family and friends.
The series is not without its flaws, but solid performances and a thoughtful examination of relevant and relatable themes result in a unique and ultimately satisfying experience for viewers.
Pacing Problems
Let’s get the critiques out of the way first. The main issue throughout the series is its pacing. The series is much more of a slow burn than the trailer would lead viewers to believe.
It spends a significant amount of time building up the tensions in each character’s life and showcasing the pressure that causes them to lash out in such an intense and sustained manner.
That is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s the whole point, really. We can all relate to the feeling of oversized anger at another driver for sometimes minor infractions. It’s never just about the person who cut you off or didn’t give you the right of way.
The problem with BEEF is that there are moments of rapid escalation that build up the adrenaline, only for it to return quickly to the slow burn pace.
Maybe that’s more true to how these kinds of feuds work. Their intensity ebbs and flows depending on where the participants are emotionally on a particular day and what’s going on in their lives.
As a viewer, though, the start and stop of the momentum can make it hard to stay focused. It makes the slow-burn sections drag sometimes. As a result, the show doesn’t fully hit its stride until over halfway through the season and struggles during the early episodes to be consistently engaging.
Tonal Swings
As with the pacing, the series’s tone frequently shifts throughout the season. Unlike with the pacing, though, this sometimes works to the series benefit.
The tonal shifts often amplify the shock value of each dramatic escalation of the feud and the consequences of those escalations. There are plenty of moments where things take a sharp turn, giving viewers those “holy crap, what just happened” moments promised in the show’s trailer.
On the other side of the spectrum, the changes in tone open up space for some moving character moments that help create important empathy for characters that are often not terribly likable.
That said, the tonal shifts can sometimes make the series feel disjointed. When the tonal shifts don’t work, they contribute to the series’ unevenness.
Stellar Performances
The pacing and occasional misfires with the changes in tone prevent BEEF from reaching its full potential. There is, however, still plenty to love about the series. Perhaps most notable is the cast.
Yeun and Wong both deliver empathetic and complex performances. As mentioned above, the characters on BEEF are often unlikeable. That’s particularly true of Danny and Amy.
Yet, even if you don’t like either character or their choices, it’s hard not to have compassion for them. Much of that, of course, comes from the writing. But, it is also because of the humanity both Wong and Yeun bring to their characters.
As their decisions become increasingly unhinged, the expectation would be that they would become less relatable. But Yeun and Wong portray their characters with a nuance that evokes sympathy even when their characters are at their worst.
While both Wong and Yuen are fantastic, Wong shines exceptionally bright. She is a tinderbox of nerves ready to go off at any moment as the pressures in her life mount. You can feel her swallowing her rage with each plastered smile and endured microaggression.
The supporting cast is also excellent. Patti Yasutake, as Amy’s mother-in-law, is a particular standout, making her character much more sympathetic than viewers anticipate when they meet her.
It is the best, but one of many occasions throughout the season where a supporting character turns out to be more multifaceted and interesting than expected. It is one of the strongest things about the series.
Big Ideas and Relevant Themes
Outstanding performances start with good writing, and what ultimately allows BEEF to rise above its pacing and occasional tone issues is its ambition. This won’t surprise fans of A24’s other properties, but beyond the wild ride and eccentric plot, the series has tremendous heart and much to say.
The grey area where all its characters exist makes for fascinating character studies that sustain viewers’ interest even during most of the season’s lulls.
It also provides rich material that will spark interesting conversations about mental health, modern life, how we treat each other, and the human experience in general. Those conversations are as much a part of the viewing experience as watching the show.
I won’t be surprised if my thoughts on the show evolve once more people see it, and I can discuss and debate the different themes with them. The pacing and tone problems that detract from the viewing experience will fade, while the ideas and thoughts the writing spark will remain vivid.
Overall Thoughts
BEEF’s ambition and creativity make it different from just about anything else on TV. It stands out even among the deluge of shows to choose from, which just on its own is an admirable thing.
The pacing does detract from the overall quality of the season. It might have even worked better as a movie where time constraints would require a tighter, more focused final product. Nonetheless, it is still well worth people’s time as a series.
No matter how closely a person analyzes the trailer, the show will go in directions people don’t see coming. It will shock and surprise even the savviest TV viewer. The rich character work and thought-provoking themes of the show’s peaks outweigh the lulls of its valleys.
What did you think of BEEF? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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BEEF premieres on April 6th on Netflix.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.