Watch The Outsider

The Outsider is an intense drama film that tells a story of a small town in Tennessee in the 1950s, where a stranger who goes by the name of Johnny Gault (played by Tim Daly) comes to town. He is a mysterious and stoic drifter who carries a secret past that he is trying to escape from. As Johnny makes his way into the town, he is taken in by a wealthy family, the Kellersons, who offer him a job and a place to stay. Naomi Watts plays the role of Rachel, the eldest daughter of the Kellersons, who becomes curious about Johnny and strikes up a relationship with him. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Rachel is engaged to the son of the town's influential judge, played by Keith Carradine.

As the film progresses, Johnny's past starts to catch up with him, and the small town secrets and prejudices begin to surface. The tension in the film builds to a climax when the judge's son is found dead, and Johnny is immediately suspected of the murder due to his outsider status and complicated relationship with Rachel.

The film is a character-driven story that explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption. Tim Daly gives a nuanced and powerful performance as Johnny Gault, a man struggling to come to terms with his past and the sins that he has committed. Naomi Watts also gives a compelling performance as Rachel, a woman torn between her duty to her family and her growing love for an outsider.

The film's setting, a small town in 1950s Tennessee, is also a character in itself. The filmmakers use the setting to explore the tensions and prejudices of the time, as well as the contrast between the wealthy and the working-class. The film's cinematography and score are also noteworthy, creating a moody and atmospheric tone that adds to the film's sense of tension and foreboding.

One of the film's strengths is its exploration of the complexities of human nature. The characters in the film are all flawed and capable of both good and evil, and the film refuses to offer simplistic judgments on their actions. The film's exploration of guilt and redemption is also nuanced and thought-provoking, eschewing easy answers and offering a more complex and realistic perspective on the human condition.

Overall, The Outsider is a gripping and powerful drama that explores the complexities of human nature and the tensions and prejudices of a small town in the 1950s. The film's strong performances, atmospheric setting, and exploration of sin, guilt, and redemption make it a memorable and thought-provoking experience.

The Outsider is a 2002 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.