Everyone has witnessed road rage at some point, but Netflix’s BEEF might make you think twice before honking that horn.
The comedy-drama series has been described as ‘the best show on Netflix’ after scooping a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. Fans are in a binge-watching frenzy as they follow the escalating fallout between Danny Cho, played by The Walking Dead actor Steven Yeun and Amy Lau, fronted by comedian Ali Wong, after a road-rage incident.
The feud kicks-off after Danny, a failing contractor with a chip on his shoulder, nearly backs into Amy whilst reversing in a car park, to which she responds with an exaggerated middle finger. The hostile introduction prompts a spiralling game of tit-for-tat that gradually begins to inflict collateral damage on those around them, including Amy’s husband George who is unaware of the simmering anger his wife carries around.
Described by Netflix as “darkly comedic and deeply moving,” the 10-part series comes from the mind of South Korean writer Lee Sung Jin, who was recently tapped to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe by penning the script for upcoming antihero blockbuster Thunderbolts.
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Following its release on April 6, BEEF has been met with rave reviews from critics, currently boasting an almost-perfect 99 percent Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a 93 percent score based on audience reviews. Critics have praised both the performances and the writing, suggesting it could be a front-runner at this year’s Emmy Awards.
Esquire said it is “by far the best thing on Netflix,” while The Telegraph called it “the best new series of the year.”
Meanwhile, British GQ’s Jack King said that BEEF was Netflix’s best new show since Squid Game, adding: “Thank god, then, for Steven Yeun — an evergreen statement if I’ve ever seen it — and BEEF, a Russian Doll-esque return to form for the streamer’s original programming, and unequivocally the best new series they’ve released since 2020’s Squid Game.”
Viewers have also hailed the new series, with one person Tweeting: “Phenomenal ending to a phenomenal show. i need a season 2 desperately.”
Another added: “Steven Yeun and Ali Wong absolutely killed in their performances . The drama, humour, and heartfelt emotion within the screen was amazing. Generational trauma, expectations, and the burden of repressed fury was FELT. Definitely will sit with me for a long time.”
“Just watched #BEEFNetflix and I'm blown away. The show is one of the best I've seen in a while, with incredible performances all around. Yeun and Wong are outstanding. The show is a perfect blend of humor, excitement, and tension,” penned a third.
Season one of BEEF is available to stream on Netflix now.
