‘Outside’ Offers Dark Look at the Patriarchy

The Filipino import “Outside” respects George A. Romero’s golden zombie rule.

Yes, the undead are flesh-famished monsters. Humans, alas, are the real villains.

The zombie drama follows a family trying to make their way following an outbreak. Domestic dysfunction takes center stage, giving life to a movie with a ghastly running time for a genre film.

We hang in there thanks to an impressive look at the PatriarchyTM under duress.

The story opens with home video footage of a couple on their wedding day. Francis and Iris (Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez) are deeply in love, and their future couldn’t look brighter.

Fast forward 15 or so years, and they’ve welcomed two sons into the fold. Except nothing about their life now is “normal.” A zombie outbreak hit some short time ago, and the clan is seeking a safe harbor to wait out the storm.

That’s assuming the infection ever runs its course.

Right away we’re told their marriage has had its rough patches. You’d think that background would take a back seat to their current situation – living another day in Zombieland.

Not exactly.

They’re safe enough and disconnected from the rest of society. That leaves far too much time to explore what went wrong.

At times, the fixation feels silly. Some of the character reactions follow suit. Shouldn’t we be planning on another supply run? Can we save the therapy sessions for another day?

We eventually learn more about the personal drama and how it impacts their fight for survival. It’s here where “Outside” finds its purpose and stands apart from other zombie films.

Outside, the first ever zombie film produced in the Philippines, has revealed its first full trailer. https://t.co/Yrx7qhMd8y

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 4, 2024

If you’re looking for new genre wrinkles, the undead sputter phrases that appear to be things they said just before they turned. These zombies aren’t wise in any fashion, but repeating certain words grants them an eerie bond to their old lives.

It’s creepy but hardly revolutionary.

And, yes, they’re generally faster than your average Romero zombie for those keeping score. The runners from Brad Pitt’s “World War Z” would still beat them in a foot race.

“Outside” takes some curious, and detrimental detours but always circles back to the main drama. What would a family, already suffering behind the scenes, do when put in the ultimate pressure cooker?

Can we forgive and forget in the worst of times? What if a post-apocalyptic nightmare made your flaws much, much worse? Lucero’s nuanced turn sells the theme better than expected.

“Outside” has plenty to say about the male ego, from its commendable ability to protect loved ones to the bruises that never quite heal. A subplot involving Francis’ brother isn’t given enough screen time. Perhaps a flashback or two would have helped.

Then again, “Outside” checks in at two hours and 20 minutes. That’s more than enough time to get the narrative job done.

The family focus may scare some genre fans away, but director Carlo Ledesma stages a few tasty sequences to keep them on edge. One escape scene is short and brutal, with a frenzy that recalls “Train to Busan.”

Otherwise, it’s the personal demons running wild in “Outside.” And Romero taught us they can be the scariest monsters of all. 

HiT or Miss: “Outside” lacks the wall-to-wall tension of the best zombie films, but its hyperfocus on a family in despair will keep your attention.

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