The Outsider

In the first episode, the inexperienced Jason Bateman directs like he came from David Fincher's sperm. In other words, the pilot is the most intense I've seen on the series production front in years, and Bateman pulls off the paranoid, oppressive stew in two timelines with absolute ease. The rest, however, is just good, occasionally suspenseful, but it's mostly drawn out and doesn't justify the ten-part runtime (I would cut, among other things, everything about the psychologist, or Holly's partner). The core premise is great, though, King is a master. (10/06/2021)

It could and should have been a supernatural blunder. In fact, it is a candidate for one of the best series of the year, which, through a horror motif, similarly to Hill House, deals with something very civil and contagiously melancholic. The slow small-town elegy of guilt and reconciliation is terribly captivating, and nothing will change the disconcerted end. Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Erivo are the best detective duo of the year. (03/10/2020)

This year's first hit series based on Stephen King's work ends today after a 10-week marathon, so if you haven’t seen it, do catch up. The Outsider is a well made dark crime thriller that has an excellent and almost uncomfortable score, a gripping atmosphere, a perfect central mystery and well chosen characters Ben Mendelsohn in a very strong role and I was very pleased with Cynthia Erivo, who gave the series the necessary energy as an unusual investigator. The downside may be the slower pace and that there is not much action or violence, yet I was not downright bored with any episode as the well-written dialogue, the actors and the atmosphere were enough in this case. The final episode has received quite a bit of hate, but I was satisfied with that one as well. If there was anything that downright annoyed me about the series, it was the twist-betrayal in the second episode, which was a shocking move, but if it hadn't happened, the whole thing could have been a bit better. Even though the series isn't perfect, it's something that shouldn't be missed this year by anyone who likes dark and mysterious stories. Action**, Story*****, Violence**, Entertainment****, Humor>No, Atmosphere/Music***** 8/10. (03/09/2020)

An excellent production of King’s paranormal novel, which suffers a little in the conclusion from some changes made to the original story. The opening is procedural and ultra-realistic, reminiscent of True Detective. The choice of shots, the close-ups, Mendelson’s tired face of a burnt-out detective. And Bateman’s performance as the potential suspect is flawlessly insensitive. But the choice to make a ten-episode series out of it was unfortunate, because by the second episode, The Outsider starts to become inflated with filler, taking the story on often unnecessary detours. Not to mention the protracted dialogue scenes that make the heroes look like ignoramuses. Despite a change of origin, Cynthia Erivo is outstanding as Holly, even though she could have been more reserved (of course, there is a lack continuity from the preceding three books). The confrontation in the season finale is more terrifying in the book's climax (direct, with a catharsis that works) and the Texas setting is more interesting. Still, this is one of the best adaptations and I hope it gets another season with the same cast. Even with a boring, ordinary drug-gang underworld murder, as Ralph wished for at the end. P.S: While watching, we were switching between this and The Boss Baby and the contrast is really bizarre. :-D (04/26/2020)