Before I Fall

Before I Fall has built a real following in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Philo and Starz Apple TV Channel among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Zoey Deutch's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

There is a reason Before I Fall keeps coming up in conversation. What makes Before I Fall work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Samantha Kingston has everything. Then, everything changes. After one fateful night, she wakes up with no future at all. Zoey Deutch and Kian Lawley lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. It was released in 2017. The rules of Before I Fall's world are consistent enough that the big swings never feel like cheating. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give Before I Fall a chance. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Zoey Deutch's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.