The Outsider

It's got a strong first act driven by intimate yet dreary cinematography and outstanding acting, but it is a Stephen King story... So that means it's 50-50 as to whether it's going to have some truly innovative mythmaking (e.g. Dr. Sleep) or if it's going to degenerate into nonsensical drivel. Unfortunately, it's the latter, but this cinematic incarnation holds together well enough to be watchable enough until the final handful of episodes. Still, there are worse Stephen King stories out there.

Too drawn out, would have been better as a 2-hour film.

Too long

a story of "SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN" and nothing ever does

There's some padding in the middle, but it starts and ends strong. Could probably be a full two episodes shorter, if not more. The cast is great; always good to see Paddy Considine, and Cynthia Erivo really impresses.

It started off so good, before I knew it was based on Stephen Kings work...

So far it's a pretty slick procedural police thriller, with just the hints of supernatural mixed in. It's more subtle than the book so far, so pretty much the same story. Digging it. EDIT - slightly lowered score as a few of the mid episodes dragged a bit, but it still is an overall above-average series. Worth a look.

Forced mystery. Couldn't watch more than two episodes.

Strong first two episodes but goes downhill from there. It's too long and the audience always understands what's happening faster than the characters. Holly wackiness clashes with the tone. Ralph realistically remains rational but does nothing to prove his point (like investigating how the footage could have been faked or the DNA planted) and just keeps going along with everything while brooding. Pretty weak ending (underwhelming monster reveal, nonsensical collapsing cave). Good cinematography.

Beautiful and deliberately built story about how grief touches everything around it and how support and community and connection keeps you moored. A great two-hander between Erivo & Mendelsohn, but I ended up caring about every member of the ragtag group by the end.