The Outsider [Blu-ray] [2020] [Region Free]

A palpable sense of malevolence and threat pervades each of the ten episodes that comprise The Outsider the HBO miniseries based on Stephen King's source novel scripted in the main by noted novelists Richard Price and Dennis Lehane.Ben Mendelsohn stars as Georgia Detective Ralph Anderson initially investigating the gruesome death of an eleven year old boy. The chief suspect is popular school teacher Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) but contradictory evidence soon emerges casting doubt on Maitland's culpability which leads to the widening of the investigation to include other similar crimes committed over a period of time. An unorthodox investigator is called in to assist due to her having abilities outside the realm of normal investigations of this nature. Cynthia Erivo plays the investigator Holly Gibney (a character who has appeared played by another actress in TV productions of King's Bill Hodges trilogy filmed under the Mr.Mercedes titles) and she is the beating heart of this production.We are soon drawn into a complex web involving historical supernatural presences in this case manifested under the name of a Mexican Deity El Cuco who has the ability to assume the personas of otherwise innocent people and to bend their actions to it's will in order to perpetuate it's own existence. The action climaxes in a system of underground caves in Cecil Tennessee where the forces of good in the form of Anderson and Gibney confront the latest incarnation in human form of El Cuco.Ben Mendelsohn gives his trademark edgy performance as the lead character and he is ably supported by Cynthia Erivo an actress new to this reviewer and mightily impressive she is as somebody who struggles to have her capabilities understood and appreciated. Other actors of quality including Paddy Considine Bill Camp and Julianne Nicholson also lend strong support.Not having read the source novel I cannot comment on how faithful to the original this production is but it is certainly worth viewing on it's own merits and is highly recommended. It is essential to watch the final episode right to the end of the credits as there is a significant coda included part way through.Audio: English and FrenchSubtitles: English for the Hard of Hearing / Danish / Finnish / French / Norwegian and Swedish.Extras: Six making of featurettes including an Interview with Stephen King and the origins of El Cuco / The Outsider: Inside Episodes with cast and producer interviews.

This adaptation of the Stephen King novel would not have worked as a movie, it had to be in this format for the characters to develop and the plot to unfold. It was largely effective, with strong central performances and 'small-town' America evoked well. The ending was a little disappointing - not in the 'what' but in the 'how' of it - but, overall, this worked for me. Recommended for King fans.

I read the book before watching this, which was a damn fine read, but I also enjoyed this mini series, too.

I loved the book and the Audible version, this is an excellent, atmospheric TV series and I feel it handles the story very well.Mostly the music compliments the mood but as with a couple of recent Stephen King screen adaptations some of it grates a bit.Certainly worth buying the physical copy as the digital is dearer and I couldn't see that it included any extras.

I had read the Stephen King books and was expecting this to be exciting. However, it was dull and very slow. The characters were nothing like I had imagined them to be and I would not recommend.

Good for used item did stick in a couple of places but great buy

Ok acting and decent plot.This series seems to be great at the beginning, ok in the middle and a really underwhelming end (exactly the same as the book)They've really made Holly's character even weirder than the book. There's a few extra characters as well and more investigating on Holly's part. I think they really got it right casting the actor who plays Jack though 👍Ralph Anderson is OK, bit wooden in places.This series has a big focus on tragedy and grief so don't expect many laughs.

Fantastic brooding sense of dread with great performances, only let down by poorly realized final episode