“Before. / “The Terror.”

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“Before” (Apple TV+)  psychological thriller, starring Billy Crystal in a role that we are not used to seeing him in. Premise: A recently widowed child psychologist meets with his next client, who mysteriously shows up at his house and appears to know things about him. The child appears to have psychotic episodes that result in harm to himself or others, but the psychologist senses something in these episodes that appear to point to a "source" which the psychologist appears to relate to.



       In many instances, the series suggested a foray into the icky realm of Ryan Murphy-ish blood gore or threatened to slip into supernatural lore. But it didn't. It managed to tread a graspable terrain of realism as we carried on. 

       Stellar acting all throughout by Mr Crystal as the grief-stricken and confused psychologist Eli and Rosie Perez as Denise, the foster mom of the mysterious boy. The most remarkable performance. however, belongs to Jacobi Jupe, the boy. Focused all the way, didn’t lose his concentration at all. 🎥👍📽




“The Terror” (Netflix) Season 1, named after Dan Simmons's 2007 novel, which serves as the basis for the first season. Season 2 is not related to S1; didn't bother to check it out since Netflix isn't streaming it. Both Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ are asking extra fee, regardless of subscription so no go. The series was renewed for a third season, subtitled “Devil in Silver,” based on the novel of the same name by Victor LaValle and is set to premiere in 2025.

       Meanwhile, Season 1 is a satisfying watch. A fictionalized account of Captain Sir John Franklin's lost expedition to the Arctic from 1845 to 1848. S1 is remarkably acted, notably veterans Jared Harris as Captain Francis Crozier, Tobias Menzies as Commander James Fitzjames, Paul Ready as Assistant Surgeon Harry Goodsir, Ian Hart as Ice Master Thomas Blanky, and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Sir John Franklin. And special mention to Icelandic actress Nive Nielsen as a Netsilik woman a.k.a. Lady Silence. 

       The entire show is icy gray solace, which could have slipped to dead bore. But the ensemble performance is tight, focused, and alive despite the journey's cadaverous glare. 🎥👍📽


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