It’s a psychological thriller that explores beyond being bitten by a zombie and surviving the apocalypse.
“Outside,” an original Filipino film directed by Carlo Ledesma, was one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Filipinos rarely get our own zombie films, especially ones with high-quality production and a serious tone—let alone one featured on Netflix! As a result, there was a lot of excitement, even from those like me who aren’t typically into zombie and horror movies.
The film premiered on October 17, 2024, and guess what, netizens weren’t thrilled by the thriller! On IMDB, the film received a 5.1/10 as of today, October 20, 2024, while on Netflix, it scored 67% on audience rating.
Support Pinoy or Criticized Pinoy?
Many people took to social media to share their opinions on the film, expressing appreciation for its depth beyond just a typical zombie flick. But, the movie “Outside” received mixed reviews, with a rating split evenly—50% in favor and 50% against. So, we dug deeper into the reasons behind this divide and discovered that initial expectations were not clearly communicated to the audience.
The trailers showed terrifying zombies roaming the Philippine province, leading many viewers to anticipate a storyline centered around a Filipino family fighting the undead. However, the true antagonists of the film turned out to be the family’s inner conflicts and secrets, rather than the zombies themselves.
This disconnect in expectations led to significant backlash, particularly from fans of “Train to Busan” and “The Walking Dead.” Many voiced their criticism, despite the film being labeled as a psychological thriller. The slow-burning plot added to the fueled discontent, as audiences had hoped for more action and thrilling zombie chases.
Once the backlash started, some fans of the film responded with their own thoughts and expressed their concern as to why us Pinoys, instead of supporting a deep storyline, ended up pulling down the ratings of an original Netflix movie. It was a film that was meant to give and show the tension between the characters affected by, not just the apocalyptic situation they were in, but also the generational trauma ensued years prior, according to one commenter. Add to that the surprising plot twists along the way, which made each character have solid development throughout the film.
Should You Watch It?
A definite YES, Sugboanons! But, make sure to watch it with open minds and let the story take you to where it needs to. However, if you want the typical bloody fungus infected zombie fights, then maybe skip the film or better yet, still watch it and don’t focus on the zombies! You’d be amazed by how one word, “Sorry,” can change throughout the plot, and how the title actually meant beyond just what’s physically waiting for the family outside an apocalyptic world.
