Outcast

The beginning scene grabbed my attention. It succeeded in properly setting up the episode. I wasn't too sure of what to think about the main character at first. There was a cloud of mystery around him. As the episode continued, and the other characters began to emerge, I started to understand their aspects and how they relate to the situations in the episode. They all served their purpose in helping to develop the story line. There were some conflicts in place to help keep the viewer interested. A lot of answers to beginning questions came at the end. I recommended this series for anyone who has interest in possession or religious type of horror flicks. If the remaining episodes of the season are as enthralling as the first, then this series should be around for a while.

Upon looking at Outcast there's an identifiable mix of horror movie and TV show ambiance. It dabbles in possession gig with adequate seriousness, even a gleeful amount of creepy spots, but there's a set up for continuous showing of horror as well. The protagonist is man of little faith and many tribulations, which give a more modest backdrop instead of usual exorcism glamour.

First and foremost, it manages to present terror or at least compelling enough scenes to hook audience. The atmosphere might be quaint and done with nice cinematography, but this actually works as contrast for some of its unsuspecting creepy sequences. Kyle Barnes (Patrick Fugit) is a man who has experienced abuse, be it may physical or paranormal. He's utterly conflicted, although his wish to help can be appealing.

The set-up might work in different case for each episode, with Reverend Anderson(Philip Glenister) as the unusual side kick. Alas, it could be a case of the week shtick,, but Outcast has a very weighty tone to the production that it resembles horror blockbuster than a series, even though the rural setting is not that grand.

For a weekly dive into horror, Outcast is looking appetizing with brilliantly bleak atmosphere and broken character seeking respite.

This show is supposed to do for the ghost/ possessed genre what the walking dead has done for the zombie genre. Bring it out of the ridicule into the books of serious TV. I didn't read much else about this show going into it and I am glad for it.

Like many reviewers have said, it's that first scene that completely has you hooked. I was grimacing and enthralled at the same time.

I didn't think too much of the story-line - it seems to echo the usual haunted by a possession in the past trope, but there are some twists that bring it out of the absolutely ordinary. It remains to be seen how well they build on the out-of-the-ordinary elements in the story. Let's remember that TWD also started out regular - a guy waking up in a world inhabited by zombies was very very familiar. It is what they have done with it in the long run that has made it a gem.

This is just the first episode in what appears to be a very promising ghost series. Go Kirkman!!

------------edit post season 1 finale--------- no spoilers!

This is the slow burn that The VVitch tried so hard to accomplish. Things move slowly and deliberately towards tragedies/ triumphs in the storyline. The season ends in a good place, leaving us wanting more.

I wont lie, there are some bits where it seems to drag its feet in petulance, but it does recover. And, boy, when it twists, so do you!!

I would recommend putting in the work to get through the draggy bits for this one.

Good horror is hard to find.

Grew up on Stephen King, saw the original Living Dead in a theatre, have my own copies of Browning's FREAKS and CAT PEOPLE .. you know the drill.

Tried so hard to like American Horror Story but kept banging into talky self-important scripts and self-important actors and self-important directors.

Only seen one episode of OUTCAST but it looks like a find. Reminded me of the very first S01E01 of X-Files, which seems like something I saw just yesterday. (Actually WAS yesterday, I have the boxed set.)

The direction and cinematography is to die for. Great tone. Interesting characters. The producers boast one of the best pedigrees in the biz. No overblown egos, at least not yet. Really holds the attention which, as I have said my 1100 or so IMDb reviews, is the acid test of any show.

And upcoming actress Wrenn Schmidt has one of the most interesting "TV faces" since Anna Torv in Fringe. I think male viewers in particular will think that, if they were hiding in a semi-condemned house with no water or power, this would be their first choice for someone banging on the door trying to lend a hand.

Very promising.

As others have said this was a great Exorcist replacement. Here is where I suspect they lost people, the long delay between season 1 and season 2. It is a tad slow, but kept me fully engaged. This is good straight thriller horror without the way over the top extremism of American Horror Story. I wish Cinemax had the balls to at least run a few episodes of season 3 to wrap up the story. I am tired of investing time in shows that just end without wrapping up the story line.