Outpost

Found this on Prime and hope it gets onto something like Shudder. Definitely better than the 4.6 on imbd, tho Im biased because I love these kinds of psychological horror flicks. Movies like The shining and The thing deal with similar themes of isolation but don't expect anything as bombastic as those, this reminded more of 90s films like Jacobs Ladder. Has a Great outdoor setting and some nice dialogue about nature. I liked the lead and felt her struggle. Ive never seen this actress in anything else so cant say if this kind of role is something new to her. I also really liked the odd supporting characters. As far as 90 min horror/thrillers go this is a fun way to spend an evening. Unfortunately I think the 90min format doesnt work for most viewers today even though I find it to be superior. Get in tell your story efficiently and get out.

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.

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.

Outpost was not what I was expecting, I had put off watching it for a while but was certainly pleased that I finally sat down to view it. The story is about a woman who has been abused mostly all her life, in adulthood she has a restraining order against her ex partner who is abusive and he breaks the order and attacks her. She survives physically, but mentally she is not coping at all. Seeking a way out, she takes a volunteer job at a fire tower organized through her best friend's brother. What ensues then is the slow decay of her character mentally, as she battles with the seclusion and her trauma memories.

It has a nice twist that rounds off the movie perfectly. I don't want to give any spoilers in that regard. I enjoyed watching it. Give it a go.

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.