In Rob Reiner's classic 80s rom-com When Harry Met Sally, there's a moment where Billy Crystal's Harry asks Meg Ryan's Sally, "Don't you have a dark side?" And whilst in that film, as in so many others over the years, that question serves as the set-up for a Crystal comic zinger, in Sarah Thorp's upcoming Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before, it looks like we'll be seeing the iconic funnyman's own dark side for the first time. Here, Crystal plays Eli, a grieving child psychiatrist who develops an inexplicable bond with troubled patient Noah (Jacobi Jupe) — and if the first trailer's anything to go by, then it looks like things may be about to take a turn for the supernatural in Crystal's dramatic lead debut. Check it out:
Dead wife. Creepy farmhouse. Even creepier kid. And a dramatic rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'? Monsters, Inc. this ain't... although we certainly wouldn't rule out the monsters bit entirely at this stage. Rather, it looks like we're in for an intense, character-driven bit of psychological horror here as this new trailer sees our man Eli's past catching up with him. Of especial interest is the moment Jupe's Noah says "you know what you did" before a telling smash-cut to Eli's deceased wife Lynn (Judith Light) in a bathtub. It certainly seems like grim revelations await, whilst Crystal's severe looks and gruff tone throughout see the actor intriguingly flexing that aforementioned dark side.
Here's the logline for the show: "Before stars Billy Crystal as Eli, a child psychiatrist who, after recently losing his wife, Lynn, encounters a troubled young boy, Noah, who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli’s past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens." Also along for the mystery are Oscar nominee Rosie Perez, Tony nominee Maria Dizzia, and Ava Lalezarzadeh.
From The Crowded Room to Servant to Black Bird and Lady In The Lake, Apple TV has consistently proven the place to go for a noodle-twisting psychological thriller, and with their latest — which Crystal himself serves as exec producer on, and which also boasts Dune co-scribe Eric Roth and Silo director Adam Bernstein among its creative team — it looks like they're onto another winner. As for what exactly is going on with Eli and Noah, we're sure everything will be made, er, Crystal clear when Before makes its two-episode premiere on Apple TV+ on 25 October