Beef

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 6, 2023
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
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Where To Watch

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Critic Reviews

  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Hannah Bae
    Apr 5, 2023
    50
    What makes “Beef” compellingly watchable is the crackling chemistry between Wong and Yeun. ... For the most part, the heavy absurdity in “Beef” works, but there are a few off notes. ... Its use of this weapon feels painful when considering the deadly toll of gun violence in the United States, especially after the Monterey Park killings shattered Asian American communities so recently. I also took issue with the series’ casting of millionaire graffiti artist David Choe as Isaac, Danny’s volatile, villainous cousin.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best TV Season of 2023
22
#22 Most Discussed TV Season of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 88 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 88
  3. Negative: 9 out of 88
  1. antelope123
    Apr 9, 2023
    10
    Great acting, great directing, a truly original piece of work. Many laugh out loud moments - yes over the top, but bring it on! More like this!
  2. jzathajenius
    Apr 7, 2023
    9
    Binged the first 4 eps last night, and unless they really drop the ball this might be my fave show of the years so far.

    Ali Wong is in BEAST    Binged the first 4 eps last night, and unless they really drop the ball this might be my fave show of the years so far.

    Ali Wong is in BEAST MODE god damn.    … Full Review »
  3. JLuis_001
    Apr 9, 2023
    6
    What can you know about the people you will encounter in your day-to-day driving? Honestly, nothing, but anyone who gets their hands on aWhat can you know about the people you will encounter in your day-to-day driving? Honestly, nothing, but anyone who gets their hands on a steering wheel will sooner or later face a road rage incident, but what are the odds that in that encounter you will meet a person who seems to be as damaged as you are? That's Beef's premise and it sounded, to say the least, very interesting. Especially since it didn't sound like it was going to use a simplistic comedic device. The first episode sets the tone and makes it quite funny; it invites you to keep going. Unfortunately for this series is that its screenwriters run out of avenues to explore when only in episode 3 it becomes clear that the development of the characters will stagnate, as it can be easily deduced and understood that both characters are unconsciously seeking self-destruction.
    Both have unresolved traumas and after that we do nothing but circle back to the same concept over and over again until they decide to address the confrontation in their last episode.

    Beef isn't a bad series per se, and Steven Yeun and Ali Wong's performances are what sell the concept impressively, but as I said, the concept only works up to a point and the plot never does anything to offer a game-changing narrative variety that would have made it a more proactive experience.

    A friend who was watching it at the same time told me it was from A24, so that meant it was automatically good and that I was putting too much thought into it and making too many demands of what was intended to be just a black comedy, but I don't know, I think more like some people were just impressed with too little.    … Full Review »
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