Ralph Thoughts

This is a zombie movie is set in the Philippines called, Outside. There is a family of four a mom, dad and two brothers trying to survive a zombie outbreak. Circumstances lead them to lock themselves in a house that later invokes anxiety and trauma among the family. Past experiences and family bonds are tested amidst the fear of the undead. Prolonged exposure to this secluded environment tears the family apart and the dad does what he thinks is right to protect his family.

During the beginning of the story the family take a van and try to cross a bridge. To their dismay, the bridge is overrun by the undead and proceed on foot. They end up staying at the residence of the dad’s grandparents, who are found dead upon arrival. During their stay Francis, the dad, has some hidden trauma at the house coupled with relationship strains with his wife, Iris. Francis also seems to have resentment towards his oldest son, Joshua, while treating the youngest, Lucas, with much more endearment.

During the rising action, Francis takes matters into his own hands and barricades his family in the house. He believes that zombies are too much of threat, though the zombies are seen to be growing weaker. He manipulates the family by hiding a map to a campsite, that was brought by his brother who saved them during a zombie outbreak. It was also indicated that Iris had cheated on Francis with the brother before the outbreak began. Tensions start to rise as the family begs the question of escaping Francis’s delusional ideologies. Joshua finds out he is a illegitimate son of their family, explaining the distaste Francis has for him. He escapes the house by his mother’s permission, to find the camp and send help their way.

During the climax, the family had taken in a survivor the previous day, a military soldier. Francis finds out Joshua escapes and shoots the soldier dead, barricading Isis and Lucas in the basement. Francis’s abusive actions and trauma turned him into what he hated, his dad. Isis and Lucas managed to lure Francis and lock him in the basement. Shorty after, a zombie barges into the house and attacks Isis and Lucas. Francis who was battling his own phycological warfare, snaps back into reality, breaks the locks, and kills the zombie perpetrator.

During the falling action and ending, Francis finds out Joshua has gotten bit by the zombie attack. With Isis’s help, they amputate his leg to stop the virus. Joshua ends up loosing too much blood and Isis pleads Francis to find help. With Joshua’s life on the line, Francis runs to the bridge where their van had been abandoned. Before, he could get in the car he sees a figure across the bridge. Curious that help is on the way, he waves down the mysterious figure. Unfortunately, Francis gets shot multiple times and falls to the ground. With a twist of fate the mysterious figure was Joshua who had mistaken his father for a walker. With his father in his dying arms, he takes the van back to his family.

I believe this zombie story is different from any other in the genre. The plot presents itself as a zombie movie but turns into a psychological thriller with the dad. The story compels the viewer because of the psychological episodes the dad undergoes throughout the movie. He chooses to protect what he has left at any cost.