Apple TV's $68M Sci-Fi Mystery Is a Hidden Gem

Before, a psychological thriller, blends speculative fiction with an unsettling, slow-burn narrative.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:06pm

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An abstract close-up image featuring shattered glass and reflective metal surfaces, captured in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to convey the psychological tension and unsettling nature of the Apple TV series 'Before'.The visually striking and psychologically unsettling Apple TV series 'Before' blends sci-fi mystery with a slow-burn narrative that keeps viewers hooked.Los Angeles Today

Apple TV's Before, a $68 million sci-fi mystery series created by Sarah Thorp, is quietly emerging as one of the platform's most compelling hidden gems. Starring Emmy winner Billy Crystal as a child psychiatrist whose life becomes entangled with a troubled young boy, the miniseries blends psychological tension with speculative fiction elements to deliver an unsettling, slow-burn narrative that keeps viewers hooked.

Why it matters

While Apple TV is known for its high-profile sci-fi hits, Before represents a more understated, cerebral take on the genre that explores the boundaries of human consciousness and unexplained connections. The series' blend of psychological thriller and speculative fiction elements makes it a refreshing alternative to more action-oriented sci-fi fare.

The details

Before follows Dr. Eli Adler, a child psychiatrist who recently lost his wife, Lynn. Eli's life becomes intertwined with a troubled young patient named Noah, played by Hamnet's Jacobi Jupe, who exhibits strange abilities and behaviors that defy conventional psychological explanations. As Eli delves deeper into Noah's case, he begins to uncover connections between the boy's affliction and the untimely demise of his own wife, leading him to question the nature of reality and his own grip on sanity.

  • Before premiered on Apple TV on October 25, 2024, as a miniseries that concluded in December of that year.
  • The series has been available on the streaming platform for nearly two years, but has largely flown under the radar despite its $68 million budget.

The players

Dr. Eli Adler

A child psychiatrist at the center of the story, recently widowed and struggling with visions and hallucinations.

Noah

A troubled young boy who becomes Eli's patient and exhibits strange abilities that defy conventional psychology.

Lynn Adler

Eli's late wife, whose untimely death is connected to the events of the series.

Sarah Thorp

The creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Before.

Jacobi Jupe

The actor who portrays the character of Noah.

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What’s next

Viewers can continue to discover and discuss Before on social media and online forums, as the series' slow-burn approach and speculative elements may lead to deeper analysis and appreciation over time.

The takeaway

Before's blend of psychological thriller and speculative fiction elements makes it a refreshing alternative to more action-oriented sci-fi fare, offering a cerebral exploration of human consciousness and unexplained connections that rewards patient viewers willing to delve into its unsettling mysteries.