The Outsider

Firstly, do ignore the ratings given by Metacritic and do keep an open mind before watching this underrated gem. Imho, It is unfair to compare "The Outsider" with "Bright", the other sombre Netflix's star-studded flick as both are in a genre of its own right. As a "Yakuza" movie, "The Outsider" storyline remained faithful to the 60' 70's yakuza genre with its typical subject of betrayal and honour, in other words fans of the "Yakuza Papers Anthology" won't be disappointed.

Suprisingly, there are less dialogue which i find it essential to the storyline as it sets the zen-like mood and calmness throughout the movie. The pacing is so subtle and that one will not flinched at some of the violent scenes. The cast did their part very well although the chemistry between Asano and Leto could have been explored further. Overall, i enjoyed watching "The Outsider" and also the movie pays homage to the Japaneses classics. Highly recommended.

The critics are once again wrong. This is a good yakuza movie although there are better movies but I enjoyed this movie. It is slow going, building up characters. The climax and ending are good. Jared Leto is great in this movie, playing the silent but dangerous American who gets involved with the Yakuza. Leto's character is mysterious, maybe too mysterious. It would have been nice to understand his motivation and background. There is a small caveat to his former life but it is so small that it does not answer any questions except that's Leto's character is brutal. I didn't think this was the white savior type of movie like The Last Samurai. Please watch and support movies like this, movies that take a chance.

The story is a fairly by the numbers mafia drama in terms of structure but,it is very well executed. The sense of high stakes is always present trough the whole film, every action has a consequence. As the script has no unnecessary filler plots, it keeps the story moving at a prefect pace.

The main themes of the movie are brotherhood and revenge, and even if the characters ar not too deep, you get to know them enough to care for them in dangerous situations and you feel some empathy for the main character in his struggle ro fit into a violent world that does not treat him as an equal Nick is not a hero or a good person at all but he shows enough principles for the audience to understand his perspective.

Is this movie unique? Not at all but it more than a time waster that deserves your attention.

It's hard when the movie's main flaw is the main character. Nick is supposed to be this quiet and intense guy, but inconsistencies in both the writing and acting keeps this movie from being great. I like the concept. It's not an all-out action movie, more of a character study with bursts of violence. My kind of movie.

The 50's Osaka setting, the atmosphere, it's good. But the camera work doesn't take full advantage of the setting, and shots could've been better framed, better movement. The small budget shows. The audio mixing was acceptable but not great. In better hands, this movie would've been great. I'm not saying it's terrible, I enjoyed it. There wasn't any part of the movie where I got bored, I was engaged throughout. But at the same time, throughout the movie, I there were points where I was aware of how things could've been better.

I like Netflix doing unconventional stuff. But rather than make a lot of them, give them the budget they deserve to make them great.

Well this movie clearly deserves a higher rating then it actually gets for now. If you like mob/gangster movies then you will definitely like this one. At least I did. It all looks very stylish, but behind the style there is some hardcore violence, something you can only see in Mafia movies where the honor of the clan comes before everything. The Outsider tells the story of a caucasian former GI soldier that gets recruited into the Yakuza. Jared Leto played the perfect role, as the calm but coldhearted newbie. The rest of the cast, are all Japanese, and they all agve this movie a great touch. The story is well writen, never a dull moment, and add on that an excellent soundtrack that brings you in that special gangster mood. One of the better Japanese movies I ever saw if you ask my opinion.