Outside

Eschewing run-of-the-mill zombie movie thrills for an enthrallingly uncomfortable slow-burn dive into the human condition in the midst of chaos, Outside features another formidable performance from Sid Lucero, a quietly powerful supporting turn from Beauty Gonzalez, and sublime lensing from cinematographer Shing Fung Cheung. (A+)

It looks high-end, and when we talk about local cinema, this film is definitely at the top in terms of visuals. It perfectly captures the vibe of a zombie apocalypse, blending beauty and dread in the scenery, evoking that fine line between solitude and loneliness. (Super Ganda)

Outside‘s approach to horror is one of the most effective we see. Rather than focus on other monsters themselves, it uses the threat they pose to explore humanity’s dark and damaged sides, making us see where the true monsters can lie. (9/10)

[...] what I love about ‘Outside’ is that it never goes out of its way to scare you. It is so confident that the dramatic situation is already tension-filled and frightening... (4.5/5)

Carlo Ledesma uses a zombie apocalypse to talk about the horrors of patriarchy in Outside. I think this particular plot has probably been done in some episode of The Walking Dead, but this is the first time that I’m seeing it play out in this haunting way. (4/5)

Smart Filipino zombie-fest focuses on family, not the shuffling undead. (3/4)

If you’re one of those people who constantly complain that all Pinoy movies are either romantic comedies or poverty porn, I think you should give Outside a shot. (7.5/10)

Director Carlo Ledesma and his cinematographer Cheung Shing-Fung created a lot of beautiful images [...]. The jump scares were well-executed [...] However, those very prolonged scenes of toxic family dynamics dragged the momentum down as a whole. (7/10)

Audiences looking for a jumpscare-heavy horror or a ‘Train to Busan’ may need to look elsewhere, but what ‘Outside’ offers is equally compelling—perhaps even better. (3.5/5)

'Outside' on Netflix is a zombie horror/psychological horror that gets most of its (horrifying) notes right and leaves you feeling oddly emotional in the end.

Never letting go of his character, Sid Lucero deserves best acting awards for his palpable portrayal. He embodies the movie title, effectively sharing his struggles both on the inside and the outside. (2.06/5)

Much of what makes "Outside" succeed so well is from behind the camera, or at least what it chooses for its viewers to see, with beautiful isolated shots of Negros Occidental[...], amplified by cleverly-used visual effects.

[...] "Outside" struggles with audience expectations, which may dampen its overall impact. While marketed as a zombie thriller, the film's core is a family drama, and the slow-burn pacing makes the shift in focus all the more noticeable. (3.5/5)

Although not exactly addressed to zombie fans, “Outside” works quite well as a horror/thriller/drama, with the subtext, the acting and the cinematography being its biggest traits.

By far the most entertaining local horror flick I've seen so far this year—a slow-burn psychological horror that requires some patience but ultimately rewards viewers with a gripping and nail-biting third act. (3.5/5)

[It] offers an interesting take on the zombie apocalypse genre by turning its lens inward, trading blood-soaked thrills for emotional dissection and psychological tension. (3.5/5)

Zombies have always been vehicles for studying human behavior in a crisis, and I think the film does that fairly well. Again, I think it could be leaner, but there is something to present this strange crisis of masculinity, filtered through the trauma of someone who had an abusive father. (3.5/5)

The acting is excellent, providing dynamic characters who elicit visceral reactions, and the makeup and prosthetics are disgustingly created, crafting monsters who display a knowing sadness. (3/5)

I loved how the story of Outside could play out anywhere in the world. [...] In that sense, there’s nothing that should keep you from getting completely immersed. And with this zombie horror drama, the story does pull you in and make you suffer right alongside the characters. (3/5)

Overall, Outside might not be the best zombie movie but so far it's the best horror/thriller Filipino movie, I'm happy that we are trying to elevate the standard of our films. (3/5)