10 Real Problems Netflix’s Beef Addresses
This article contains spoilers for Netflix’s BeefIt’s believed that including Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as the main characters of a series would result in an explosion of comedy as these two seem like a devilish duo. Netflix’s beef achieves just that. It might seem like a simple watch focusing on the everyday life of two Asians in America, but in reality the show has so much to say. Of course, anything A24-related is expected to make viewers think differently, and that’s also why their productions have received such rave reviews.
You can expect nothing less than brilliance from him beef. A major reason for this is the way the miniseries focuses on real-world issues. Yes, the series does add an Asian touch to its plot and characters, but that doesn’t stop it from tackling some universal themes. If you’re looking for a show that ends up giving you something important, beef is a must.
classism
A social hierarchy system may seem like an archaic social structure, but in fact we all live in a society where class binaries prevail. beef takes this to heart and is not afraid to vividly portray this class system to which we all belong. The stark difference between the two protagonists, Amy Lau (Ali Wong) and Danny (Steven Yeun), is one way this is accomplished. The former seems so rich that she is obsessed with the fact that her house is so perfect.
The latter, on the other hand, struggle to make ends meet. The places where they live are a clear example of how different their lives are. So it’s very ironic when these two end up clashing. beef gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “when worlds collide”.
billionaires
Maria Bello’s character, Jordan, is prominent in depicting this theme. Not only is Jordan a billionaire, her lifestyle is also pretty absurd. Her house is in the middle of nowhere. Not only are their dinners sumptuous, they are presented in a way that transports you to a whole new world. The show is pretty sarcastic about this particular character simply because she comes across as “holier than you.”
cultural appropriation
Jordan’s obsession with other foreign cultures, particularly Asian, is quite disturbing. Your house may even remind you of the British Museum and its “stolen goods tour“Because she has an exhibition of stolen artefacts, all headgear from different countries. Funnily enough, she takes that obsession to a whole new level when she marries Naomi (Ashley Park). Her use of Naomi as a mere object is difficult to ignore as she is completely unaware of Naomi’s feelings.
capitalism
Of course, when a story revolves around America, the issue of capitalism is difficult to ignore. Jordan’s wealth comes from her company, Forsters, as well as Amy’s startup business that caters to rich people, which are prime examples. What’s interesting about the way beef The approach to this theme is that they use Danny’s character to show the effects of capitalism.
Danny’s difficulties in buying a home and running his business show how many bad odds there are for a certain group of people. “Who is successful will be successful” seems to be a core message that the show focuses on.
childhood trauma
As the show continues, we get glimpses of Amy’s childhood. Then it turns out that unlike her husband George Nakai (Joseph Lee), Amy does not come from a wealthy family. She built up. The series hints a lot at her childhood trauma, most notably through the inclusion of a strange creature that Amy observes.
It is an interesting reminder of how such childhood trauma can carry over into adulthood and in turn affect one’s life. This tie comes with some sadness, giving viewers more emotional elements to grapple with.
weapons
This might seem like a trivial element of the show, but if you look closely, you realize that beef has a strong stance on the gun debate. At one point we see Amy having fun with her gun. While it may seem like an odd scene, it could be a reference to people’s obsession with guns. It’s sad to see something so destructive and violent being handled with so much ignorance, and that’s exactly what it is beef is evident in Amy’s strange “relationship” with her gun.
Art
Art plays an important role throughout the show. The title cards serve as a clue as to what the episodes entail. Within the show there is also criticism of the “beautiful art”. The way the Nakai family’s artistic creations affect their lives is very interesting. On the one hand, George’s vases are criticized, while his father’s legacy of chairs is looked at and appreciated, but never relied on.
Then there’s Fumi’s (Patti Yasutake) constant comments about the lack of beauty in Amy’s house. All of this suggests that art doesn’t offer the comfort it’s supposed to offer, simply because people have preconceived notions of what art should be. In reality, art is subjective. Funnily enough, Amy’s graphic on Danny’s car can also be perceived as art, and it offers her more comfort than the Nakai family chairs.
“Western Therapy Doesn’t Work on Eastern Spirits”
One of the best lines of the show. Danny points this out to George while they hang out together. On one side we have Danny, who refuses to accept that he suffers from depression and suicidal thoughts, and on the other side we have George, a whitewashed Asian who tries to rely on therapy instead of being honest with his deal with feelings. The show heavily criticizes the way many Asians tend to ignore their mental health. At the same time, the show also emphasizes the difference between East and West.
Facade of a “perfect family”
A24
The Nakai family seems to be perfect. A happy couple with a beautiful daughter and, let’s not forget, extremely rich. In reality, however, everyone has their own issues and there is a distinct lack of communication between Amy and George. It’s as if the two lead a double life.
Amy’s argument with Danny serves as a source of happiness, while George’s relationship with Mia, Amy’s employee, serves as a way out of the lack of emotion he finds in his relationship. This ultimately leads to a major rupture within the family. It’s interesting to see how beef uses an Asian family to focus on suppressing emotions and hiding one’s true self.
lonliness
We’re all lonely, and that’s something beef try to tell us Yes it’s sad but at the end of the day it’s the truth. Almost all of the characters in the series have a hard time establishing real human relationships. So they end up faking their happiness and leading a double life. However, Danny and Amy appear to have broken that curse by the end of the show.
Their “beef” ultimately allows them to form a real connection based simply on their shared experiences and feelings. In a way, beefThe beautiful ending reminds us how real human relationships can help us be less lonely.
