After 3 Years, Netflix’s Masterpiece 18-Part Thriller Series Returns With A Shocking Twist

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Netflix recently brought back a highly anticipated show, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the success of its first season—and there’s a likely explanation. As one of the leading streaming services, Netflix consistently releases new films and series each month, giving its original content a broad audience thanks to its large subscriber base.

Shows like Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Squid Game have become global sensations, and Netflix consistently delivers hit series. This trend continued into 2026 with new shows like His & Hers—already among Netflix’s top ten most-watched ever—as well as Free Bert and Detective Hole, all achieving widespread popularity.

Just because a show is popular on streaming platforms doesn’t automatically make it a great work of art. While some shows are both hits and critically acclaimed—like the British series Adolescence, along with Netflix thrillers such as Ozark and The Crown—there’s a distinction. A standout example is a 2023 series considered a masterpiece that recently released its second season.

As a big TV fan, I’ve noticed it’s pretty common now for really good shows on streaming services to have huge gaps between seasons. That was definitely the case with Netflix’s Beef. I loved season one when it dropped on April 6th, 2023, and I was so hyped for season two, which finally arrived on April 16th, 2026. It’s a great show, don’t get me wrong, but honestly, season two didn’t quite reach the heights of the first season, which was a real masterpiece.

Beef Season 2 Shockingly Takes A Hit In Its Reviews

I was completely blown away by the first season of Beef. Seriously, everything about it was just incredible! Steven Yeun and Ali Wong both gave absolutely powerhouse performances, and the writing was so sharp – the tension just kept building and building. Plus, it looked beautiful – the cinematography was stunning. It’s no wonder critics loved it as much as I did; it currently has a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is well-deserved!

The first season of Beef quickly became one of Netflix’s most acclaimed shows. While expectations were high for season two, it didn’t quite reach the same level of success, despite the addition of talented actors like Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. Season 2 currently has an 87% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

While the current score might seem decent, it’s a clear step down from the almost flawless first season. Fans are also much more critical of the differences between the two seasons. Season 1 has an 87% audience approval rating, but as of today, season 2 only has 62%.

Why Beef Season 2’s RT Score Is Below Season 1’s

Season 2 of Beef doesn’t quite reach the heights of its first season, and that’s connected to what initially made the new season so promising. Expanding the story to follow two couples instead of just the original two characters seemed like a good idea. However, most critics agree that the show now has too many storylines, making it feel unfocused.

In a review for ScreenRant, critic Graeme Guttman noted that as the plot of Beef season 2 becomes more complex, the show feels a bit difficult to follow. While still enjoyable, the new season tries to do too much and doesn’t quite reach the same level of quality as the first season.

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2026-04-17 17:08