Beef (TV Series) Figures of Light (2023) User Reviews

A nod to "Western therapy does not work on Eastern minds"

[yrbsgdq · 10/10 · 16 April 2023]

This show perfectly captured how hurt people hurt people but this episode in particular beautifully translates the human connection that Amy and Danny share. That connection squashed their 'beef' and also found them the 'missing piece' they have relentlessly been searching for. Above all, the empathy they developed for each other on their psychedelic journey ultimately cultivated self-compassion, i.e. "the missing piece" and thus, "I see your life, you poor thing." This spiritual trip did what Western therapy could not do on Eastern minds.

This show sent us on a whirlwind, shouting at our screens at their mishaps. A lot of the times, life do feel like that. We do things that we know would result in less-than-ideal outcomes because we just don't know any better. What this show ultimately gives us, though, is an affirmation that our ancestral pain is shared, felt and above all, can be alleviated with embracing empathy and learning self-compassion.

Pleasantly Suprised

[zackbliz · 9/10 · 3 May 2023]

A beautiful ending to this chaotic story. There was nothing expected about this series, and I hope this does not have another season. Some stories need to be told, and they need to know where to end. This is one of the most unique works I've seen. It's not free of its quirks, but it's weirdly real. But also completely surreal and indescribably powerful in depicting trauma, gennerational trauma, and the toxicity of holding onto hate that can take over not just your life, but the lives of everyone around you. These messages are obviously not even subliminal, but it also doesnt just tell it to you. It screams it at you. With hatred and also with beauty. Bold. And in all caps. The funny thing is that nobody in this show ever makes a truly good choice. It shows that everyone is in their own way, broken. And thats ok. This entire show has been an experience I never expected. I don't think I'd ever watch this again, but I'm glad I did, just this once.

What a stunning and emotional conclusion to a gripping series!

[Revelation2009 · 10/10 · 23 April 2023]

Amy and Danny's journey on the cliffs was full of suspense, heartache, and redemption. The decision to have them attack each other and then rely on each other was simply ingenious, adding depth to their relationship.

The poisonous berries and subsequent hallucinations added a fantastical twist, allowing the characters to open up and connect on a deeper level. The acting during these hallucinations was absolutely phenomenal, with both actors portraying their characters' vulnerabilities flawlessly.

The tunnel scene was thrilling, and Amy's offer to help Danny avoid jail time revealed her growth as a character. Danny's refusal showed his maturity and his willingness to face the consequences, making him a character we couldn't help but admire.

The shocking appearance of George at the end of the tunnel was a perfect, jaw-dropping twist. The final hospital scene was heart-wrenching, but the hint of hope as Danny's arm moved to hug Amy back left us with a bittersweet satisfaction.

Overall, this series was a rollercoaster of emotions, and this finale was the perfect culmination. The acting, storyline, and visuals all came together to create a truly memorable TV experience. I cannot recommend this show highly enough - you won't want to miss it!

Impactful, Modern Television

[coastcoast17 · 10/10 · 28 June 2023]

Beautifully filmed, even handed, and engaging clear eyed microscope on modern society. Thematically it's quite blunt, focusing on the isolation lack of empathy that defines modern society, but it really rips into the deep flesh (pun intended) and keeps you guessing while not telegraphing the entire plot. The ending was something else. I really was stunned at how good this was. It hits some high notes comedically as well, and those are evenly spaced in between some truly dark character driven drama. Probably the best dark-drama/comedy since the White Lotus (or even better). Also interesting choice with the throwback soundtrack but it works well.

Best hopeful for a season 2!

[billyllewis · 10/10 · 10 April 2023]

If there's ever been a chance for a season 2 I hope it happens here because I'd binge watch it 100% like I did these 10 episodes. Seriously hoping this wins some deserved Grammys. Darn thing punches you right in the feels. Loved it too. I've felt like this style, type, kind of, etc etc series has been lacking for a long time.

This series not only captivated life but the emotions felt in a multi generational gap understanding. Almost everyone while growing up or literally still growing up has stepped in the shoes we walked in once again with this show. Buried trauma or just what it felt like growing up came into focus. Let's not for a second deny the fact that the actors and actresses put on a show that we can't deny was flawless. Two thumbs up to everyone involved.

Please be a season 2!!

[helenhall-86295 · 10/10 · 11 April 2023]

This was amazing!! Couldn't help myself, watched every episode within 24hrs!! Definitely gave you everything, all the feels!! Laughter, excitement, drama!! A must watch!! From the very beginning to the end, makes you think twice about what could be going on in another persons life when s*it happens and triggers road rage!! I've been there, not to that extent, but Though I could do the same. Amy and Steven are very believable. You feel all their emotions! And little Junie is sweet!! My kids could be like that. Again, I honestly hope that there is a season two in the thought process!! I can't wait!!

Light at the end of the tunnel

[Mesina02 · 8/10 · 23 May 2023]

A very touching yet satisfying last episode that kind of comes full circle with how this show started.

Danny and Amy both have lost everything and now they are essentially stuck in the same rot. It seems very fitting for their situations and I liked how over time they have come to embrace each other's presence.

Although their situation is bad you could look at it as a second chance for them. Both have moved on from their 'fake' lives and are presented with a fresh start. Although what comes at them will be hard, it gives them an opportunity to start over and become better people.

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode.

The Human Experience and Finding Someone To Share It With

[andrewbarta · 8/10 · 5 February 2024]

I'm not really sure why some of the reviews for this episode seem to think that these two people end up romantically together. I don't believe that is what was intended by the last scene of this show. To me this episode is all about how these two people, who met by random chance in a road rage incident, are able to reconcile by sharing their experiences with one another. These are just two individuals, who've been going through it, having a human experience. But up to this point haven't truly shared their experiences with anyone else. Now by their own actions, are forced to confront their choices and end up sympathizing with the other person.

I don't think the final scene is them ending up together at all. I think it's just Amy's character realizing that the only person who could genuinely feel sympathy for her is Danny, because he's the only one she's truly been genuine with. She's expressed her rage with him, she's shared her life story with him, and while they are both high on psychedelics dying, he tells her "I see your whole life. You poor thing. All you wanted was to not be alone". It's a geniune statement that could only come from someone that really gets it. Really understands what she's been going through. And she reciprocates that with him by telling him not to be ashamed of who he is and that he doesn't have to hide with her.

Then at the moment before they fall asleep they realize that this is really what their lives should have been spent doing. Sharing their feelings and experiences and being truly honest with someone. How spending their time the way they did was such a waste compared to how they spent this one short day together. How they wished they'd realized sooner how important it was to be able to find someone to share with. Now that they're dying they don't have to be afraid to share anymore, but that spending their lives with their feelings bottled up wasn't really living to begin with.

I think that's what the final scene is about. These two people who escaped the dessert, trying to get back to their former lives. Realizing that it was going to be a complete **** show, but that it didn't matter because for once they had a genuine human experience and someone they know will be there to understand them going forward. It gave them the strength to face what was coming. Then Danny gets shot and Amy is reflecting on how her actions were responsible for him ending up in that hospital bed. She feels truly sorry for how she treated him.

I think the importance of her remembering him asking if the only thing he needed was to get where she was, and that she told him everything fades is because she doesn't want this to be the same. For anyone that's done psychedelics, the experiences you have are very much in the moment but can sort of be fleeting once the effect wear off and life comes back into the picture. So she reaches out to hug him so that it doesn't fade and become another one of the moments in her life that just simply pass by. That she is still there and willing to share this experience with him as well.

A student essay might be wise for the lessons learned

[tcswaim · 8/10 · 14 April 2023]

I'm ok WITHOUT a second season. It's all wrapped up (minus any unnecessary courtroom drama). I thought this series would be a "woke" agenda, but A24 seems to nail most genres. Lessons learned in lower class to high class. We all have problems and get pissed off about life in different perspectives. Be kind, and work hard. You never know what happens in life in a rapid blink. The "struggles to survive" scenes are interesting considering how episode nine concludes. The reality of the story's original plot is naturally smashed together. Amazing acting, and production. Nice twist at the end with a great song to take us out.

Weak Ending to a Great Show

[flowergal45 · 6/10 · 19 January 2024]

Every evening after dinner I curled up on my sofa binge watching every bit of this show. Almost every episode smartly left us with cliffhangers so we'd impatiently tune in to the next episode. From the very first two minutes of episode one I was hooked immediately and swept into a vortex of emotions during the nine episodes. I say nine because the last episode was a huge disappointment for me. Not only was it unrealistic but it was almost if the writers gave up at the end. What I mean by that is they started off very strong at the beginning, middle and the end they got tired so they threw together anything. The only sobering thing about the last episode was that I did feel a sort of 180 degree moment with the two main characters. I could totally be off base here but the series could have ended with episode 9 even if the show is not coming back for a second season.

An amazing portrayal of what loneliness feels like

[scognamillomoore · 10/10 · 5 February 2024]

I wasn't sure what to expect out of this show, but I feel like it did a great job at developing its main characters, and giving the viewer insight on their past little by little. It's hard to have empathy for them when you can't quite understand their anger, but as you learn about their traumatic past, it becomes very clear that they've never experienced comfort or calmness. Through Amy and Danny, the show closes up perfectly and gives a great perspective on what it's like to feel alone, and how important deep human connection is to people who have felt a sinking loneliness for as long as they can remember. The last scene was very emotional and such a great way to express what the main characters were feeling... There's nothing stronger and more meaningful than finding someone you connect with when you've felt broken and alone your whole life. Time will pass by and you'll still love each other unconditionally :)

I didn't think the romance was believeable

[christopher_roth · 5/10 · 3 July 2023]

I think some of the techniques this show has been using backfired in this episode. Every episode has been all-killer-no-filler, you only see what you need to see.

The downside of this approach is that I don't feel like I understand the characters that well, partially because this show skips over the mundane. Amy and Danny are soul mates why? They both have Korean heritage?

When I hear Amy and Danny talk in this episode, I don't feel like I'm witnessing an intimate moment but instead I'm in the writers room, watching each person trying to one-up the rest with an even wittier one-liner.

This show is creative and fun, but it hasn't yet found it's authenticity.

Going to take a shot

[burntorange · 9/10 · 28 April 2023]

Watched the entire series over about a 2 week period and loved it.

Episode 10: going to take a shot at the meaning All along you could see that Danny and Amy were reflections of each other and what they despised about one another was really what the despised about themselves. Amy to Danny: you're always bitching and Danny to Amy: you only think about yourself.

The black birds represent God. He looks disapprovingly at his 2 children after the accident in the ravine and knows just what they will do. He puts them together and within each other so they can both achieve complete understanding which gives them (Amy/Danny) the ability to forgive each other which is the same as Amy/Danny forgiving themselves. God (the birds) then gives them another chance when he wakes them both up, covered by tree branches and gives them the strength to get back to the road.

Does Danny die at the end? I think he does just as the old Amy has also "died". The lights overhead represent the transformation of both characters: Danny to the afterlife and Amy to her new self. Since they are so intertwined, Amy goes to Danny's hospital room as he is near death, and Danny acknowledges her by placing his arm around her. In fact I think Danny was waiting for Amy before he finally lets go.

What Goes Down, Must Come Up (In More Ways Than One)

[gmcslattery · 8/10 · 22 December 2023]

Loved the series overall, but puzzled by a peculiar conceit of the last episode.

The cars of both lead characters hurtle off the road, plunging into a ravine. But rather than simply trek uphill to the road and rescue, they spend the next half-hour blundering around the scrubland like some Millennial production of Treasure of the Sierra Madre. It wasn't like their wrecked vehicles had sailed miles away from the highway.

True, it was a great opportunity to bond and mind-meld via ingestion of psychedelic nausea-inducing berries. But I couldn't help think that rescue was never more a few hundred yards away. Perhaps that was the point!

I knew by Ep 4 ......

[woodvillelite-1 · 4/10 · 20 January 2024]

I stopped watching at Ep 4 as I knew the ending would be somehow they would get together at the end. Many convinced me to keep going .... stopped again at Ep 6 . THEN it started to win all the awards REALLY ... give me a break. OMG .. what !!! Is there really so much disfunctiong in this somewhat small group of people and major criminal activities on both side.

The background episode and the last episode were a waste of time. The last few minutes .... there is no way they would have allowed her to be with him in the hospital .... how did George find them .... why did he shoot Danny .... why why why so many things.

THANK GOD MY LIMIT HAS BEEN MET.

FOR ME .... WHAT A POS BUT OBVIOUSLY OTHERS DONT THING THAT.

Worst cinematography ever

[indiapaige · 4/10 · 17 May 2024]

Nothing is worse than HD with no/zero lighting,shot in total darkness.

No matter how high quality your viewing screen, the visual is lost and It becomes an audio file.

I'll choose to go back to anything professionally filmed on a sound stage with professional lighting.

Cinematographers who think theyre creating art au naturel are fooling themselves and cheating the audiences.

Its presumed with this episode that the series will continue, I dont believe it will. This series took the participants far too far outside of their lanes.

Performance arts do have categories- not all soprano opera singers can act, nor comedians.