The Outsider

Proven actor names, the city of Osaka, a 1950s noir atmosphere, and the environment of the famous Yakuza gang—these are the main aspects that drew me to this film. I particularly love that Netflix is involved in a variety of films, allowing me, as a viewer, to look forward to different types of cinematic entertainment each time. The Outsider won me over with its dark atmosphere; the initial prison sequences hinted that this wasn’t going to be a film full of unicorns and rainbows, but rather a gritty portrayal of Yakuza dealings, almost like a detailed illustration. Jared Leto didn’t have much dialogue, but his character (an American in the Yakuza sounds intriguing) was both interesting and somewhat controversial (we don’t learn much about his past or how he ended up in prison). Honestly, I’m not sure what to compare The Outsider to. The film offers a glimpse into the workings of the Yakuza, showcasing the unique functioning of the mafia system and their distinct codes (the bit with the fingers was quite intense). The story plays out a high-stakes game, featuring a few shootouts and more intense action scenes where blood is definitely not spared. Personally, I enjoyed the film and can recommend it, and I give it 79%. (05/24/2018)

I find this kind of movie somehow calming. Slow exposition, gradual revelation of the rules of the Yakuza and Leto as an emotionally damaged soldier who gets out of jail for a good deed. The action is bloody and more perfunctory than visually impressive. Takeshi is better than this, but this is decent work for an American movie. (06/29/2018)

This is a good film. It’s gritty, violent, and unscrupulous, but I can't help it, because overall I found it rather empty. Jared Leto is classically demonic here - all he has to do is look, but somehow this time that's not enough, because the story, which is more of a traditional one, doesn't connect with him and focuses more on blood and violence than on the plot itself. (04/03/2018)

I felt like watching something by the Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn. The only difference being that Ryan Gosling has been exchanged for Jared Leto. Otherwise, it’s a feast for the eyes inspired by Japanese gangster traditions. Unfortunately, the visuals overshadowed the story, so it’s really boring at times. But you have to be prepared for that with similar movies. (05/14/2020)

Netflix is still waiting in vain for its Citizen Kane. Very much in vain. (03/11/2018)