Beef is a mini-series that narrates a road rage tale with a deadly aftermath. This dark comedy tells a contemporary tale about a simple road rage incident in modern society.
And how that one incident spirals completely out of control. Please note that in this context, the word “Beef” means bickering, dispute, quarrel, squabble, etc. So, this beef leads to not-so-simple consequences for the two people involved in it. It turns into a deadly aftermath for the people involved in it. One of the interesting aspects of this series is that its key characters are Asian American people, which is a rare sight in US entertainment.
Series Review in Brief [Spoiler-Free] of the “Beef” (Season 1, 2023)
The synopsis
A road rage incident between two strangers — a failing contractor and an unfulfilled entrepreneur — sparks a feud that brings out their darkest impulses.
Revenge is best served raw.
Modern world
Road rage incidents have become all too common around the world; however, this series takes it much further. Many might identify with the road rage story, wherein we have lost our tempers on the road, with shocking results. Also, both the Internet and social media add fuel to their raging anger. Soon enough, the animosity between the two protagonists, the two negative characters, turns worse. In a highly connected world and on social media, people don’t stop and deeply reflect on their actions. This show makes you laugh uncomfortably while taking a closer look at the modern lifestyle and its related absurdities.
This tragicomedy should be watched by people with massive road rage issues and anger management problems.
What did we love about it?
What we loved about this series is its excellent writing. All the characters in this show are humans to the core, with their flaws and blessings. Sometimes, you love them for their decency. And at other times, you hate their meanness. Both the leading actors – Steven Yeun (Danny Cho) and Ali Wong (Amy Lau) have done a splendid job in it. It has a novelty, as it keeps the Asian actors at the front and centre of the show. Also, by avoiding the popular stereotyping of Asians, it has done a very good job.
The conclusion
Well, those who are not afflicted with road rage and anger issues can watch it too. Most likely, they will love the quality of this contemporary black comedy. The absurdity of whole situations is a harsh reality of modern times.
Some people are hailing this series as the best show that they have seen in 2023, in their recent memory. No wonder this series is one of the Top Ten Series/Shows Of The Year 2023, for the first half of the year.
Ratings of the Beef (2023) Mini-Series
| FM Rating | 4.00/5 |
Poster of the Beef (2023) Mini-Series
Key Details about the Beef (2023) Mini-Series
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Creator | Lee Sung Jin |
| Released | April 2023 |
| Age-restrictions | A (18+) |
| Season & Episodes | Season One (1) & Episodes Ten (10) |
| Cast | Steven Yeun (Danny Cho), Ali Wong (Amy Lau), Joseph Lee (George), Young Mazino (Paul), David Choe (Isaac), Patti Yasutake (Fumi), etc. |
| Taglines | One incident, two lives consumed. |
Trailer of the Beef (2023) Mini-Series
BEEF | Sneak Peek Exclusive Clip: The Inciting Incident | Netflix | YouTube Video Clip Link.
Bonus Info. about the title of the 10 episodes of this 2023 Mini-Series
The bonus info. about its episodes’ titles
In a blog piece, Netflix explained that ten quotes were used in the ten-episode titles. All of these famous ten quotes inspired each episode of this series. These quotes referenced influential texts and films to help describe the unhinged behaviours of his characters.
Inspirations behind the Episodes Titles
| Episodes’ Title | Inspired by |
|---|---|
| The Birds Don’t Sing, They Screech in Pain (E1) | German film director Werner Herzog’s documentary Burden of Dreams |
| The Rapture of Being Alive (E2) | American writer Joseph Campbell, taken from his 1988 televised interview with Bill Moyers |
| I Am Inhabited by a Cry (E3) | American poet Sylvia Plath, taken from her poem Elm |
| Just Not All at the Same Time (E4) | American feminist writer Betty Friedan, taken from her answer when asked during a conference if women can have it all |
| Such Inward Secret Creatures (E5) | Irish and British novelist Iris Murdoch, taken from her novel The Sea, the Sea |
| We Draw a Magic Circle (E6) | Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, taken from his film Through a Glass Darkly |
| I Am a Cage (E7) | German writer Franz Kafka, taken from his collection of aphorisms The Zürau Aphorisms |
| The Drama of Original Choice (E8) | French philosopher and feminist writer Simone de Beauvoir, taken from her book The Ethics of Ambiguity |
| The Great Fabricator (E9) | French philosopher and political activist Simone Weil, it is taken from her book Gravity and Grace |
| Figures of Light (E10) | Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung, and it is from his book Alchemical Studies, Volume 13 |
Featured & Other Images: Beef | Netflix.