21/10/2024
My Thoughts on Netflix's Outside 🎥🎬
Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. First of all, the production quality is commendable. Compared to many local films and TV shows that often suffer from subpar CGI or lackluster practical effects, Outside stands a step above. The attention to detail, particularly with the visual effects, makes it a refreshing watch.
2. The acting is solid—not revolutionary, but definitely strong. I was pleasantly surprised by Beauty Gonzalez's performance, especially given her background as a former Pinoy Big Brother housemate. She convincingly portrays an unhappy wife searching for something missing in her marriage, making her character feel authentic. Sid Lucero also delivers a powerful performance as a man plagued by trauma and grief, dealing with the betrayal of his cheating wife. Marco Masa, while not overshadowing the leads, effectively portrays his character's vulnerabilities, adding depth to the story. Meanwhile, Aiden embodies innocence and we see genuine fear of his character's father.
3. The setting is a welcome change from the usual Luzon-based locations we frequently see in Filipino films. I’ll admit, I’m a bit biased, but there’s so much beauty—and grit—in Visayas and Mindanao that is perfect for various film genres. Outside uses the region effectively, much like how Tiyanak was shot in Mambukal. It’s about time filmmakers start exploring the diverse landscapes beyond Luzon.
Cons:
1. While the production quality is better than most local films, there are still areas where it falls short. One notable scene involving a gr***de explosion felt unrealistic, especially in terms of the camera angle. Some zombies go out of frame, and based on the radius of the explosion, a few should have survived. However, the movie suggests that one gr***de takes out all of them, which made the scene feel unconvincing.
2. Despite the strong performances from the leads, the child actors could have done better. In one key scene where a co**se falls on the elder sibling, the scream sounded held back, as if the actor wasn’t fully committing to the moment (or it could have been dubbed). Meanwhile, when the younger sibling tried to save his mother by striking a zombified Diego, the strike looked comedic. It could've been done better since even children know when to let loose when trying to strike down a foe. Instead of feeling fear for the child, I chuckled instead. While I understand the challenges of directing child actors, they still need to deliver in crucial scenes.
3. Now, onto the story. Spoiler alert! As a zombie film, I expected Outside to keep me on the edge of my seat, similar to how Dawn of the Dead or 28 Days Later did. Instead, I found myself frustrated with how the story unfolded. Francis, the father who suffered abuse as a child, is forced to swallow the fact that his wife cheated on him. Worse, she refuses to take accountability for her actions or tell the truth about their firstborn’s biological father. While it’s speculative, the film drops enough hints that Joshua may not be Francis' son. There are also moments that don’t make much sense, like when Francis tries to get the dog out of the chicken coop—why grab it by hand when scaring it away with a stick would have been easier? Besides this, there are many incidents and moments that could have been avoided by using common sense.
Conclusion:
Outside opens new possibilities for Filipino filmmaking, particularly in terms of practical effects. I’ve rarely seen this level of zombie makeup in our local films, and it was refreshing to see something new. You can tell the makeup artists and crew put their all into it. Initially, I didn’t expect much from the acting, thinking it would be typical of Filipino horror films, but I was pleasantly surprised. Beauty Gonzales was impressive, and Sid Lucero stood out as a man grappling with his trauma. However, the child actors could have been better directed, particularly in key scenes like the one involving the hanging co**se. The younger brother also felt a little off in some scenes since he looks like he's 10 but acts like a 6 yr old (or its just me)
Unfortunately, the film’s greatest weakness is its story. I was expecting a War of the Worlds vibe but with zombies—a family trying to survive an apocalypse while repairing their relationships. Instead, the film leaned too heavily into the family drama, sidelining the zombies, who felt like an afterthought. Remove the zombies, and you’re left with a typical family drama.
Despite Outside’s attempt to break away from the usual Filipino clichés and lazy cash-grab productions, the film industry still seems reluctant to explore beyond its comfort zone of drama-heavy plots. The effort in practical effects was commendable, and the acting was refreshing, but they couldn’t save the film from its weak story. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. In the end, I’d still choose Outside over another Shake, Rattle & Roll or a Vic Sotto film. Kudos to the cast and makeup artists for their hard work!
Final Rating: 7/10 ⭐⭐⭐
