Outpost

This is the second film titled Outpost I'm watching today, and it's safe to say I found this one less enjoyable. 2022 was indeed the year of trauma response protagonists, and here's one more to add to that list. The film's one-liner had enough potential to lure the horror buff in me to watch this, and it did keep my interest levels up during the entirety of the first act. There are things we know (or do not know) about the protagonist, and the frequent intercuts of her abusive ex definitely put some points across. Yet, Kate (an earnest Beth Dover) comes across as a protagonist we can never completely get behind, and her reactions to the new surroundings (and people) scaring her only leave you further confounded. It soon reaches a point where you can trust nothing she sees, hears, or imbibes.

Now, the first act did remind me of this great PC game I played back in 2016 called Firewatch, and the locales, including the watchtower and its isolated (sometimes gory) environs hold your attention, at least initially. But then, the film decides not to go the "natural hazard" route and instead, dives deeper into the twisted mind of its protagonist. As such, we get an unhinged and somewhat punchy final act with a twist that explains certain developments, though the film doesn't feel complete. It just flips the switch, offers the complete grindhouse package, and randomly concludes when the boat still hasn't sailed ashore.

No pun intended. But seriously. If you want a gore fest and lots of over the top drama, look elsewhere. If you want to watch something about trauma, horror, psychological messed up that we can be, discovery, curiosity, the human psyche, and loss, then you got it. Just go for it. Don't expect some over the top horror experience. But if you are looking for something that is a slower burn, to leave you curious as you watch, good actors, and beautiful cinematography then you got it. This movie isn't a regular horror flick, but hits in the feelings of psychological curiosity and messed-up-ness. Just watch it.

Filled with completely unnecessary lingering close-up shots of maggots and insects wriggling around on corpses and food. It absolutely ruined the movie for me. Which is very unfortunate because I was really drawn into the premise of the film.

The characters seemed interesting. The setting felt different and unique.

But the damn BUGS just RUINED it.

If there was an edit that removed all those disgusting and unnecessary scenes, that would be awesome.

Seriously it's very misleading and should come with a trigger warning or something.

Now if you'll excuse me, I feel like I have to go throw up now.

Rating Breakdown: Story - 1.00 :: Direction - 1.25 :: Pacing - 1.25 :: Performances - 1.00 :: Entertainment - 1.00 :::: TOTAL - 5.5/10

Solitude, trauma, and creeping paranoia: Outpost has all the ingredients for a chilling psychological thriller. It begins with promise: Kate, a woman seeking escape from a violent past, takes a job in the remote wilderness, only to find that the real horror lies within. Writer-director Joe Lo Truglio builds tension well, creating an atmosphere where silence is suffocating, strangers feel like threats, and past trauma seeps into every corner of Kate's fragile reality. There are standout moments, such as the brilliantly unsettling café scene where an entire room seems to turn against her in quiet judgment, and Truglio's direction makes excellent use of sudden, shocking violence to mirror Kate's unravelling mind.

But just when the film should take us deeper into her madness, it hesitates. Instead of a harrowing psychological breakdown, we get a restrained, tentative decline that never fully grips. It flirts with disturbing brilliance but ultimately backs away. Beth Dover's performance is equally inconsistent; sometimes she nails Kate's defiant strength, but other times, her expressions feel oddly disconnected from the character's turmoil. The supporting cast, however, delivers solid performances, adding layers to an otherwise underdeveloped descent.

Outpost is intriguing, occasionally effective, but ultimately frustrating. It promises a dark, psychological spiral and then loses its nerve. Still, for those who prefer their psychological horror on the milder side, it is worth a watch. Just do not expect to be haunted by it for long.

No pun intended - if, when and once you've seen the movie (maybe you already have), you will understand what I mean with that. You may know the director as sidekick in Brooklyn 99 .. he seems to have a knack for horror thrillers ... and the story overall is enticing ... though for anyone who has seen a few horror movies ... well they know what is up.

Or rather what is going to go down (which almost is another pun, right?) ... the main actress is giving it her all - and we care for her to a degree, but she is not doing herself any favors (or anyone else for that matter) ... you can't be too soft and squeamish about violence ... there are some effects and some .... well things are going to happen (or not), that will test how much you can stomache.