Hi movie lovers! For those of you who love horror movies, a new Philippine zombie horror movie has arrived from Netflix – Outside! This movie was released globally on Netflix on October 17, 2024, and it is the first original zombie film from the Philippines. Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez, Marco Massa, and Aiden Tyler Pattu play the lead roles, and is directed by Carlo Ledesma. This movie presents a family drama, emotional touch, and psychological horror in a zombie apocalypse backdrop, which is a wonderful mix. Let’s review this movie, shall we?
What’s in the story?
The story of Outside revolves around a family caught in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Francis (Sid Lucero), his wife Iris (Beauty Gonzalez), and their two sons Joshua (Marco Massa) and Lucas (Aiden Tyler Patterson) head to Francis' childhood farmhouse to escape the zombie apocalypse in the city. The farmhouse is located on a sugarcane plantation on Negros Island. Upon arriving there, Francis discovers that his father committed suicide and his mother has become a zombie. The family tries to settle down there by killing their mother.
But this is where the real drama begins! Francis is reminded of his childhood trauma and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. His relationship with Iris is strained when it is revealed that Iris is having an affair with Francis' brother Diego. Francis is devastated when he learns that Joshua is also Diego's son. While zombies are attacking outside, Francis' paranoid behavior and family tensions at home put them in even greater danger. This story, along with zombie horror, touches deeply on family dynamics, generational trauma, and patriarchy.
How is it horror?
In this movie, zombies come with a new twist – they can talk! But, they only repeat the last words they said before they die, for example, "Sorry" or "Passport please". This small detail makes the zombies even scarier and more emotional. The zombie makeup and practical effects are super realistic, especially the black contact lenses that make them even more terrifying.
But, this movie is not just zombie horror. It is a psychological thriller and a family drama. More frightening than the zombies are Francis' trauma, his paranoid behavior, and the secrets in his family. Director Carlo Ledesma inspired the film with his personal experiences, his childhood in Negros, and the feelings of isolation during the pandemic. That is why the film feels emotionally relatable.
Acting, Technical Aspects
Cid Lucero gives a brilliant performance as Francis. His traumatized look, paranoid behavior, and desperation to save his family – all come across strongly on screen. Beauty Gonzalez impresses with emotional depth as Iris, especially in the scenes where she is depressed and fights for her family. Marco Massa and Aiden Tyler Pattu also act very naturally as young children.
Cinematography is amazing – the sugarcane fields in Negros, the lonely farmhouse, the barricaded bridge are very immersive. Practical effects, makeup, and sound design add a realistic feel to the film. However, the 2 hour 22 minute runtime feels a bit slow, and the pace could have been better if some scenes had been trimmed.
Highlights
Zombies with a new twist: Talking zombies give a fresh touch to horror.
Emotional drama: Along with zombie horror, it touches deeply on family trauma, patriarchy, and abuse.
Acting: Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez's performance took the movie to the next level.
Visuals: Negros locations, cinematography gave the movie an epic feel.
Flaws
Runtime: 2 hours 22 minutes is a bit long, some scenes feel dragged.
Pacing: Horror fans may find the action scenes a bit lacking, the movie focuses more on drama.
Secondary Characters: Some supporting characters feel underdeveloped.
Review Ratings
My Rating: 7.5/10 – The zombie horror and family drama combination is good, but it would have been more impactful if the runtime had been trimmed a bit.
Final Talk
Outside is not a typical zombie movie – it balances three genres like horror, psychological thriller, and family drama wonderfully. Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez’s acting, Carlo Ledesma’s direction, and Negros locations make the movie a unique experience. This film, which claims to be more frightening than zombies, will appeal to horror fans as well as those who love emotional drama. It's streaming on Netflix now, so don't miss this thrilling ride this weekend.