Everything You Need to Know About Billy Crystal’s New Show ‘Before’
Billy Crystal plays a child psychiatrist with a haunted past in this new Apple TV+ psychological thriller series.
Billy Crystal is trying something different. The famous funny man known for “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Analyze This” and most recently, the comedy-drama “Here Today”- which he directed, produced, and co-wrote, is taking on something much darker. He stars in the 10-episode psychological thriller Apple TV+ series, “Before,” debuting on Friday, Oct. 25 with its first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through Dec. 20. Here’s everything you need to know about Billy Crystal’s dark turn in “Before.”
Everything You Need to Know About ‘Before’:
What is ‘Before’ About?
“Before” is a psychological thriller series that stars Billy Crystal as Eli, a child psychiatrist struggling with the recent death of his wife, Lynn, played by Judith Light. But Eli’s life takes an eerie turn when he begins to treat Noah, a troubled young boy played by Jacobi Jupe. Noah has an unsettling and mysterious connection to Eli’s past, one that gets more and more intense as their relationship develops. The story explores themes of grief, healing, and the supernatural, in a world where the boundaries between reality and psychological suffering blur.
The supernatural elements of the show are layered into Eli’s attempts to help Noah. Their strange connection elicits dark memories that hint at the idea things are not quite what they seem. The moody atmosphere, combined with Crystal’s dramatic performance, marks a major change for the actor – a departure from his usual comedic roles for a far darker, character-driven thriller that explores the fragile nature of the human mind when confronted with loss.
Who Are the Main Characters of ‘Before’?
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Eli: Played by Billy Crystal. A child psychiatrist grappling with the recent loss of his wife, whose life changes when he starts treating a young boy who appears to have a mysterious connection to his own troubled past.
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Lynn: Played by Judith Light. Eli’s late wife, whose memory and lingering presence are central to Eli’s emotional journey during the series.
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Noah: Played by Jacobi Jupe. A young boy with a haunting connection to Eli’s past. Noah’s presence introduces an element of supernatural suspense that hangs over the story.
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Detective Flora Santos: Played by Rosie Perez. An investigator who becomes involved as the supernatural elements surrounding Noah and Eli’s relationship escalate.
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Sylvia: Played by Maria Dizzia. A close friend of Eli, who serves as support through his grief but begins to suspect that there is more to Noah than meets the eye.
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Layla: Played by Ava Lalezarzadeh. A character connected to Noah’s story, offering insights that further complicate the relationship between Eli and the boy.
Who Are the Creators Behind ‘Before’?
Sarah Thorp is the showrunner, writer, and executive producer behind “Before,” bringing a ton of experience with her. She originally broke out back in 2004 with a feature she wrote called “Twisted” - a crime thriller featuring Ashley Judd and Samuel L. Jackson. The film helped solidify her knack for dark and intense storytelling. She went on to write on the TV show “Hawthorne” before truly “arriving” in Hollywood with the hit movie “The Bounty Hunter,” starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, which earned $136 million worldwide on a budget of $44 million. With a decidedly darker tone, Thorp was a consulting producer on the TV series “Damien” which was inspired by “The Omen” and added a horror twist to her credits.
Billy Crystal also serves as an executive producer alongside acclaimed writer and producer Eric Roth, known for “Dune”: Parts One and Two, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “A Star Is Born,” “House of Cards” and many more.
What Time Will Episodes of ‘Before’ Come on Apple TV+?
“Before” will debut with two episodes on Friday, Oct. 25 on Apple TV+. After the premiere, new episodes will be released weekly on Fridays, with the finale airing on Friday, Dec. 20.
Here’s the release schedule for the 10-episode series:
| Release Date | Episode No.1 |
|---|---|
| Friday, Oct. 25 | 1 and 2 |
| Friday, Nov. 1 | 3 |
| Friday, Nov. 8 | 4 |
| Friday, Nov. 15 | 5 |
| Friday, Nov. 22 | 6 |
| Friday, Nov. 29 | 7 |
| Friday, Dec. 6 | 8 |
| Friday, Dec. 13 | 9 |
| Friday, Dec. 20 | 10 |
What Other Billy Crystal Titles Are Available to Stream?
If you’re looking for some classic Billy Crystal schtick “Before” he takes a dark turn (get it?), check out the list of his movies below and where to stream them. My favorite film of his is “When Harry Met Sally…” Cliché? Sure. Worth it? Yes! The film is a classic of the romantic comedy genre for good reason. “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Check out Billy Crystal’s films and where to stream them below.
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America's Sweethearts
July 17, 2001In the midst of a nasty public breakup of married movie stars, a studio publicist scrambles to put a cap on the escalating situation as the couple’s latest film has found it’s only print kidnapped by the director.
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Running Scared
June 27, 1986Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer that nearly killed them in the past.
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Deconstructing Harry
December 12, 1997Writer Harry Block draws inspiration from people he knows, and from events that happened to him, sometimes causing these people to become alienated from him as a result.
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The Princess Bride
September 25, 1987In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can’t stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
This is an endlessly quotable classic. It’s a perfect blend of comedy, fantasy, action, and love conquering all odds.
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Analyze This
March 5, 1999Countless wiseguy films are spoofed in this film that centers on the neuroses and angst of a powerful Mafia racketeer who suffers from panic attacks. When Paul Vitti needs help dealing with his role in the “family,” unlucky shrink Dr. Ben Sobel is given just days to resolve Vitti’s emotional crisis and turn him into a happy, well-adjusted gangster.
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Mr. Saturday Night
September 23, 1992Buddy Young was the comic’s comic, beloved by everyone. Now, playing to miniscule crowds in nursing homes, it seems like everybody but Buddy realizes that he should retire. As Buddy looks for work in show business, he realizes that the rest of the world has forgotten the golden days of Buddy Young, and that there just may not be room in the business for an old comic like himself.
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Monsters, Inc.
November 1, 2001Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it’s the monsters who are scared silly, and it’s up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home.
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Throw Momma from the Train
December 11, 1987Larry Donner, an author with a cruel ex-wife, teaches a writing workshop in which one of his students, Owen, is fed up with his domineering mother. When Owen watches a Hitchcock classic that seems to mirror his own life, he decides to put the movie’s plot into action and offers to kill Larry’s ex-wife, if Larry promises to murder his mom. Before Larry gets a chance to react to the plan, it seems that Owen has already set things in motion.
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City Slickers
June 7, 1991Three New York businessmen decide to take a “Wild West” vacation that turns out not to be the relaxing vacation they had envisioned.
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When Harry Met Sally…
July 21, 1989During their travel from Chicago to New York, Harry and Sally debate whether or not sex ruins a friendship between a man and a woman. Eleven years later, and they’re still no closer to finding the answer.
