Netflix viewers have been left divided after binge-watching the highly anticipated second season of Beef.
Starring Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny, the new instalment follows two couples: newly engaged Gen Z pair Ashley and Austin, and their millennial boss Josh and his wife Lindsay.
The first season proved a huge success, earning a near-perfect 98 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and winning eight Emmy Awards. With a tough act to follow, the second series has split viewers’ opinions, with some favouring the original instalment starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun.
While the jury is still out on whether the new season lives up to expectations, it is currently trending at number six in the UK’s top 10 most-watched TV shows – suggesting audiences are eager to decide for themselves. Keep reading to find out more about what viewers are saying about Beef season two…
What have viewers said about Beef Season 2?
After landing on Netflix on 16 April, viewers quickly took to social media to share their reactions.
“Finished the entire season non-stop, so good,” wrote one person. “I was expecting a simple shouting match-style beefing, but it delivers so much more, emotionally and psychologically; there are unexpected twists and turns.”
Meanwhile, another praised: “I actually really liked this season. It felt quite different from the first one, but that’s what made it interesting. The acting was good overall, and the story kept me hooked the whole time. It didn’t feel repetitive and had its own vibe, which I appreciated. Overall, a solid season and definitely worth watching.”
© COURTESY OF NETFLIXNot all viewers were convinced, though, as one person wrote: “The first season was a lot more entertaining. This season was slow and I didn’t like the topic that much. I found it kind of boring. The first season had you on the edge of your seat.”
Another added: “Season two of Beef is still good, but it doesn’t hit as hard as the first. It has strong performances and keeps the dark humor and tension, but the story feels a bit more spread out and less intense. Some moments still land really well, just not as consistently. Overall, it’s a solid season – just not as sharp or impactful as season one.”
It seems that critics were on the same page too, as Empire penned: “While both seasons of Beef revolve around a different dispute, we can probably all agree that season two is an amusing but unfortunate step down in quality,” while The Guardian added: “The best show on TV becomes an unlovable White Lotus rip-off.”
© COURTESY OF NETFLIXWhat is Beef Season 2 about?
With the new season comes a fresh case of conflict, as a Gen Z couple witnesses an alarming fight between their millennial boss and his wife.
The synopsis reads: “Ashley and Austin, both lower-level staff at a country club, become entangled in the unraveling marriage of their general manager, Josh, and his wife, Lindsay.
© COURTESY OF NETFLIX“Through favors and coercion, both couples vie for the approval of the elitist club’s billionaire owner, Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh-jung), who struggles to manage her own scandal involving her second husband, Dr. Kim (Song Kang-ho).”
Who stars in Beef Season 2?
Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein, Dune) and Carey Mulligan (Maestro, Promising Young Woman) play Josh and Lindsay, while Charles Melton (May December, Warfare) and Cailee Spaeny (Wake Up Dead Man, Priscilla) play Austin and Ashley.
© COURTESY OF NETFLIXThey’re joined by Youn Yuh-jung (Minari, Pachinko, The Wedding Banquet) as Chairwoman Park, Song Kang-ho (Parasite, Broker, Memories of Murder) as Dr. Kim and Seoyeon Jang (Butterfly) as Eunice.
Rounding out the cast are William Fichtner (Mom, Talamasca) as Troy, Mikaela Hoover (Superman, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) as Ava and Matthew Kim (musician BM) in his acting debut as Woosh.
All eight episodes of Beef are available to watch on Netflix.
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