Is Before and After Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Before and After is likely a skip if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 108 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Before and After Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1996, Before and After emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Drama, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Two parents deal with the effects when their son is accused of murdering his girlfriend. Unlike standard genre fare, Before and After attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Before and After features a noteworthy lineup led by Meryl Streep . Supported by the likes of Liam Neeson and Edward Furlong , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Before and After (1996) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Before and After Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Before and After is a Crime, Drama, Mystery film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Before and After Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Before and After attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Before and After reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Before and After Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Before and After incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, mystery film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Before and After adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Before and After?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Crime films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Before and After Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $35.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $8.8M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Before and After Budget
The estimated production budget for Before and After is $35.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Before and After
- Meryl Streep – Carolyn Ryan
- Liam Neeson – Ben Ryan
- Edward Furlong – Jacob Ryan
- Julia Weldon – Judith Ryan
- Alfred Molina – Panos Demeris
Top Highlights
Meryl StreepCarolyn Ryan
Liam NeesonBen Ryan
Edward FurlongJacob Ryan
Julia WeldonJudith Ryan
Alfred MolinaPanos Demeris
Daniel von BargenFran Conklin
John HeardWendell Bye
Ann MagnusonTerry Taverner
Alison FollandMartha Taverner
Kaiulani LeeMarian Raynor, Prosecutor
Where to Watch Before and After Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Before and After is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, Before and After stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1996 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Before and After movie hit or flop?
Before and After has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Before and After worth watching?
Before and After is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime, Drama, Mystery movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Before and After online?
Before and After is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Before and After
Edward Furlong "Jacob" puts in a reasonable effort here, but otherwise this is a really unremarkable drama that muddles along despite rather than because of the two stars at the top of the bill. When a young girl is murdered, he is the suspect and so dad "Liam Neeson" immediately takes steps to help his son by destroying what looks like damning evidence. The ensuing court case pushes the usual array of buttons as the intra-familial relationships between him, his father, mother (Meryl Streep) and sister "Judith" (Julia Weldon) are strained. Alfred Molina is actually quite plausible as the win-at-all-costs lawyer "Demeris" and we plod along, glacially, to a ending about which I couldn't actually care. It's not a terrible film, all of the cast deliver what is asked of them, but the narrative meanders all over the shop all too often; the dialogue and faux-emotional scenes are flat and the ending just re-iterated a question that so many of these pointless dramas are predicated on... Why not just go to the police in the first place and rely on them to do their jobs properly?
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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