In a pre-summer season devoid of high-quality entertainment, Netflix saved us by releasing its well-received dark series, Beef. With the rhythm of the Coen Brothers’ Breaking Bad-style self-destruction and aspirations colliding with the inevitable humor of suburban feud, this show scratches the itch attributable to the same old mid-season breaks.
SPOILERS BELOW
The entire plot of Beef begins with a likelihood meeting in a car parking zone and a traffic incident that drives the 2 people crazy. The dispute completely absorbs them and becomes a recent reason for all times. It also helps them ignore their personal lives, which were unhappy in themselves, although they were at opposite ends of the emotional and financial spectrum.
Steven Yeun shows why he’s nominated for an Oscar by delivering amazing performances in every episode. He’s pathetic, he’s funny, he’s the same old character of Danny Cho, a handyman attempting to put his life back together after losing his family’s money in a botched motel deal.
His nemesis is Ali Wong, who flexes her acting muscles in a comedic and serious way as Amy Lay. She’s a plant shop entrepreneur and overworked suburban who tries to make an impact on a nationwide computer hardware network and turn into a mom trying to escape her current existence.
The “beef” between them is an ideal tool for bonding the bizarre and fractured relationships that exist inside their very own families. They are shown to be a source of tension which they then internalize and secretly want to inflict on someone outside of their inner circle.
Danny Cho (Yeun) is a permanently unemployed performer, at all times neutered by his younger, smarter, better-looking brother, who tries less and is more successful. Coupled with a crooked cousin who never lacks money or plans, Danny is forced to see which path he’ll follow to rise from poverty in Koreatown and call himself successful.
On the alternative side is the already successful Amy Lay (Wong). She has a stupendous family, an exquisite home, a wealthy social life and a thriving profession in wealthy Calabasas. She desires to get away from all of it and do nothing. She would probably enjoy Danny’s life if she could leave her soft-spoken husband and overbearing mother-in-law to take a seat quietly together with her toddler. She has no outlet or hobby or time for them until Danny Cho steps into her life.
The two hate one another as much as they hate one another and invent ways to make their recent enemy miserable with modern methods. You root for them each in every scene since the point of the argument is so silly that there really cannot be winners. The old adage of “hurt people, hurt people” is on full display by fishing, writing bad reviews online, smashing cars, and continually following one another through apps, causing their personal aspirations to collapse.
Each episode showcases the hilarious modern pettiness of non-violence and gentleness that exists within the high-tech and passive-aggressive era. It’s as much a show about redemption and letting go because it is about revenge. Even though there are two major talents, they share several scenes with one another, despite being continually influenced by the opposite’s vector.
Beef it is a refreshing change from the clutter of reality and motion flicks which have shoved down our throats this season. Enjoy the fruits of malice and learn recent ways to crush your individual suburban enemies watch all episodes of this dark comedy on Netflix.
