Netflix and A24 have teamed up to produce the new limited series, "Beef", a wild and comedic tale of just how far a road rage rivalry can go. "Beef" stars Steven Yeun ("The Walking Dead", Minari) alongside comedian Ali Wong as the feuding Danny and Amy who navigate their way through the disgruntling road of life in middle age. Throughout the series, Yeun plays blue-collar construction man Danny and his multiple chaotic run-ins with Wong’s Amy, a wealthy businesswoman, after a heated introduction involving a road rage incident. Tensions rise throughout the series’ 10-episode run, as both parties attempt to sabotage one another through a twisting web of lies, cheating, and crime.
Let’s break down the top 4 jaw-dropping moments in Netflix’s "Beef"! (Spoilers ahead!)
1. Opening Car Chase (Episode 1)
Such a fiery conflict between two characters throughout an entire television series requires a fiery inciting incident. "Beef" immediately finds its footing as a parking lot run-in between Danny and Amy escalates to a high-speed chase around the streets of Los Angeles. As Danny’s red pickup truck gains on Amy’s white SUV, the audience is shielded from the SUV’s mysterious driver. As the two cars swerve and turn, the chase reaches a climax when Danny drives over a neighbor’s lawn to gain on the SUV. This high-speed chase introduces viewers to how quick "Beef" can raise its tension, a theme that recurs throughout the series.
2. Paul Kisses Amy (Episode 3)
Amy’s plans of catfishing Danny’s naive brother, Paul, spiral out of control when Paul pops up at Amy’s work to visit the fictional girl that he has been in contact with. When Paul is escorted out by Amy, the veil is broken and Amy is revealed to be the mysterious “Kayla” that he has been DMing with. After learning this, Paul reflects on the touching conversation they shared over the phone and chooses to kiss Amy, forgiving her deception and ultimately falling in love with her. This scene is jam-packed with shock value while also setting up the fleeting romance between Paul and Amy that carries on in the series.
3. Jordan’s Home Invasion (Episode 9)
In the action-packed pentultimate episode, Danny’s plans for revenge are thwarted by the release of his disgruntled cousin from prison, Isaac. From Danny’s accidental kidnapping of Amy’s young daughter to the firefight that takes place in the home of Amy's boss, Jordan, the leadup to the grand climax of the series is just as electrifying as the invasion itself. This scene follows several separate storylines such as: Danny’s deteriorating relationship with Paul finally cracks as Paul attempts to jump over the wall, little June’s childlike perception of the invasion itself, and Isaac’s emotional dialogue with Amy about Danny. This scene also contains a grisly kill, as the wealthy Jordan is sliced in half by the door to her panic room while her partner, Naomi, watches in horror. This entire sequence is ominously lit by the red glare of the alarms shining through the smoke-filled halls of Jordan’s mansion, adding to the blaring emergency of the show stopping scene.
4. Amy and Danny's Final Drive-Off (Episode 9)
With the shock and awe of Jordan’s home invasion serving as the centerpiece of "Beef"’s 9th episode, viewers may be emotionally exhausted from seeing the episode’s nail-biting climax. However, the episode doesn’t end there, as it stays faithful to its episodic cliffhanger endings with one last memorable scene. In this scene, Danny narrowly escapes the police after the home invasion, seeing Amy sitting in her car as she cries over the impending divorce between she and her husband. As Amy catches sight of Danny pulling up right next to her, her anger explodes to an incredible high, prompting her to chase Danny through the dusty roads of the California hills. The chase is lit with sparse lights, drawing the viewer’s attention to the two cars’ tail lights as they chase each other through the outskirts of the desert. This scene expertly matches the initial road chase that began Amy and Danny’s feud, mirroring the anger that brought their lives to ruin. This time, Amy is in hot pursuit of Danny, as she gains on his truck with her now-iconic white SUV. The hotblooded chase comes to a close with an ultimate (literal) cliffhanger as the two rivals make eye contact with one another, causing them to lose sight of the cliff before them. As the two cars fly off the dusty cliff, audiences are reminded both of how their rivalry began and the dangerous consequences that await them in the final episode.
What are your favorite scenes in Netflix’s "Beef"?