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The Outsider

  • 2018
  • TV-MA
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
31K
YOUR RATING
Jared Leto in The Outsider (2018)
Set in post-WWII Japan, an imprisoned American soldier is released with the help of his Yakuza cellmate. Now free, he sets out to earn their respect and repay his debt while navigating the dangerous criminal underworld.
Play trailer1:52
2 Videos
33 Photos
CrimeDramaThriller

An epic set in post-WWII Japan and centered on an American former G.I. who joins the yakuza.An epic set in post-WWII Japan and centered on an American former G.I. who joins the yakuza.An epic set in post-WWII Japan and centered on an American former G.I. who joins the yakuza.

  • Director
    • Martin Zandvliet
  • Writer
    • Andrew Baldwin
  • Stars
    • Jared Leto
    • Tadanobu Asano
    • Kippei Shîna
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    31K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Martin Zandvliet
    • Writer
      • Andrew Baldwin
    • Stars
      • Jared Leto
      • Tadanobu Asano
      • Kippei Shîna
    • 254User reviews
    • 41Critic reviews
    • 30Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:52
    Official Trailer
    Roles That Tom Hardy Turned Down
    Video 2:02
    Roles That Tom Hardy Turned Down
    Roles That Tom Hardy Turned Down
    Video 2:02
    Roles That Tom Hardy Turned Down

    Photos33

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Jared Leto
    Jared Leto
    • Nick Lowell
    Tadanobu Asano
    Tadanobu Asano
    • Kiyoshi
    Kippei Shîna
    Kippei Shîna
    • Orochi
    Shioli Kutsuna
    Shioli Kutsuna
    • Miyu
    Emile Hirsch
    Emile Hirsch
    • Paulie Bowers
    Ray Nicholson
    Ray Nicholson
    • American Stock Broker
    Rory Cochrane
    Rory Cochrane
    • Anthony Panetti
    Nao Ômori
    Nao Ômori
    • Hiromitsu
    • (as Nao Ohmori)
    Min Tanaka
    Min Tanaka
    • Akihiro
    Masaki Miura
    • Kentaro
    Shun Sugata
    Shun Sugata
    • Prison Warden
    Hiroya Shimizu
    • Banjo
    Hiro
    • Satoru
    Young Dais
    Young Dais
    • Takeshi
    Gô Jibiki
    Gô Jibiki
    • Eiichi
    Yasushi Fuchikami
    • Ryo
    Eita Okuno
    Eita Okuno
    • Ko
    Syodai Hori-Ren
    • Mitsuda
    • Director
      • Martin Zandvliet
    • Writer
      • Andrew Baldwin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews254

    6.330.6K
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    Featured reviews

    7enChe_Rocco

    An Excellent Homage To The Classics

    Firstly, do ignore the ratings given by Metacritic and do keep an open mind before watching this underrated gem. Imho, It is unfair to compare "The Outsider" with "Bright", the other sombre Netflix's star-studded flick as both are in a genre of its own right. As a "Yakuza" movie, "The Outsider" storyline remained faithful to the 60' 70's yakuza genre with its typical subject of betrayal and honour, in other words fans of the "Yakuza Papers Anthology" won't be disappointed.

    Suprisingly, there are less dialogue which i find it essential to the storyline as it sets the zen-like mood and calmness throughout the movie. The pacing is so subtle and that one will not flinched at some of the violent scenes. The cast did their part very well although the chemistry between Asano and Leto could have been explored further. Overall, i enjoyed watching "The Outsider" and also the movie pays homage to the Japaneses classics. Highly recommended.
    6ajwh-53593

    Like all outsiders, bit of an oddity

    This should've been great. As a concept, the fish out of water storyline is a tried and tested formula, and the setting within the Yakuza in post-WW2 Japan was potentially an inspired choice. However, it didn't delve anywhere near deep enough into these ideas, and instead remained very much on the outside. Perhaps that was a choice of the filmmakers, but as a storytelling device that only works for the characters, not the audience. We need to be let in on the inside.

    I was excited about this film because it was picked up a few years ago on the Black List and it seemed to be my kind of story. I don't know if the idea came from Tony Luraschi's 1979 film of the same name about a young American joining the IRA who finds himself out of his depth, but there are many obvious similarities, and not just in the title. The problem with this film though, is that it didn't have the same dramatic conflict or character development. Things just happened and we kind of drifted along with Jared Leto's protagonist, Nick.

    We didn't get to know anything of Nick's motivation or much of his backstory. That kept it intriguing for awhile, but by the end I didn't care one bit about him. Although the film was stylish and quite atmospheric, it suffered from poor pacing. When there was action, it was bloody and gory and often spontaneous, which can work to good effect, but I didn't find it particularly shocking because there was no build up of tension.

    The whole film was a bit of a mystery to me. It didn't really use the setting of Japan to good effect, apart from a few cool looking scenes, and kind of skimmed the surface of Japanese culture, which to me at least, as an outsider, is utterly fascinating, and was the film's strongest selling point. Nor did it particularly explore the Yakuza in any great detail. I was really hoping for an updated version of The Yakuza (1974) but was left disappointed.

    It scores a solid 6/10 because despite its limitations, it's enjoyable enough and it's refreshing to get something a bit different from your usual Hollywood fare. I also thought the cast did a pretty decent job.
    8lilydavis-46130

    Ignore critics and watch this movie

    The critics are once again wrong. This is a good yakuza movie although there are better movies but I enjoyed this movie. It is slow going, building up characters. The climax and ending are good. Jared Leto is great in this movie, playing the silent but dangerous American who gets involved with the Yakuza. Leto's character is mysterious, maybe too mysterious. It would have been nice to understand his motivation and background. There is a small caveat to his former life but it is so small that it does not answer any questions except that's Leto's character is brutal. I didn't think this was the white savior type of movie like The Last Samurai. Please watch and support movies like this, movies that take a chance.
    8ThironthoramDude

    Slammed by the critics, loved by us

    The Outsider (Gaijin), starring Jared Leto, is the latest addition to those Netflix Originals that was slammed by most of the critics and yet turned out to be an enjoyable watch for me. This Netflix Original tries to experiment with the less talk and more acting type of storytelling which is not often seen in the genre of crime thrillers. For an out and out Jared Leto movie, The Outsider is more than 70% Japanese.

    The movie follows the story of an American soldier imprisoned in post-war Japan who enters the Japanese Mob Family, Yakuza after befriending one of them while in prison. The support cast of Tadanobu Asano, Kippei Shîna and Shioli Kutsuna are amazing throughout but no gaze goes past the intensity of Nick Lowell, portrayed by Jared Leto. The intensity and honestly he brings to his character is beyond words. The story telling style and the exhaustive usage of Japanese in the movie makes it difficult to convert 'The Outsider' into a fast paced thriller that it could have been.

    The way the movie ended was a bit anticlimactic and was open ended, probably with the intention of bringing out a part 2. I would go with the title 'The Insider' for part two though. I would recommend this movie to anybody who is a fan of Jared Leto and likes slow-burn crime drama's. Do not expect any classic dialogues as the dialogues itself are few and far between.
    7neener3707

    Very Cool, Not Without Flaws, But Still Great

    I for one thoroughly enjoyed this Netflix film, which is rare. Not sure what th deal with Metacritic rating it so low because I found it to be above average compared to most streaming originals. If you don't know the story, go ahead and watch the trailer, and for me, I was immediately drawn in to it by the trailer, because I'm a big fan of Asian crime films. And this film was not a let down in nearly any way. I loved the story, such a unique one in the time of super hero garbage and needless remakes of classics. The story pulled me in and the world it creates is a well represented one, definitely channeling other very successful Asian crime films. The action was true to the genre and definitely satisfied me.

    Unfortunately not all the actors shined. Don't get me wrong, some had great performances, but others just seemed to be playing themselves, which I hate. As I said before, the world is well put together, seems very authentic with pretty good cinematography. I didn't like the pacing at some parts of the film but that really had no effect on the enjoyable experience. So I would say this is a pretty decent breathe of fresh air to see on Netflix, better than the majority of bombs that they put out into the public.

    I would highly recommend it.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jared Leto grew out his hair and beard for most of 2016 to prepare for the role of Nick Lowell and have the appearance of an American prisoner of war.
    • Goofs
      The opening shot features large letters across the screen saying, "Osaka, 1954" while simultaneously showing a 1960 Chrysler Crown Imperial Le Baron.
    • Quotes

      Miyu: Do you know what your tattoo means? Do you know what it means? It's a fable. The koi fish who can swim up a waterfall becomes a dragon. It means you're arrogant.

      [laughs]

      Nick Lowell: What do your tattoos mean?

      Miyu: What? Mine?

      Nick Lowell: Yeah.

      Miyu: Do you get the same one as me?

      Nick Lowell: You have two koi fish.

      Miyu: I do. One swimming up, and one swimming down.

      Nick Lowell: I understand.

      Miyu: You do? Tell me.

      Nick Lowell: Well... I guess, in life, sometimes we fight the current. And other times, it's important to flow with the river.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Month in Movies: March 2018 (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Boparama
      Written by Frank Mizen

      Performed by Cavendish Music

      Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 9, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Kẻ Ngoại Bang
    • Filming locations
      • Japan
    • Production companies
      • Linson Entertainment
      • Waypoint Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,869
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color

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