The Outsider

First 2 episodes were very promising and intriguing, directed by Justin Bateman who also performed as a main character. Then the next 8 episodes feel so long, dragging along the story with slow development and minor characters mixing it up.

The reason I kept watching was because of Cynthia Erivo's wonderful performance as Holly. Positive note to Ben Mendonsohn acting too.

In the end, I feel this could have been an 5 episode series or a 2h movie.

Stephen King is my favourite horror writer and if not the best he is most definitely in the top 5 in my eyes have been reading his books since a teenager and spent many a night sleeping with lights on . The outsider is typical of his understated style of suspense and intrigue he manages to always set the scene of the unease so simply . This was no exception kept me uneasy to the end. Would love a season 2 or another Stephen King adaption can't get enough.

It started out excellent, but after a few episodes it divert from the book, probably to extend it to ten episodes. Nevertheless it is a good show. Casting is great, and it keeps the tension and keeps you interested even if you have read the book

I just completed the first season of this dark and suspenseful detective/horror series an have to say that it's saving grace is a great cast of veteran actors, including Justin Bateman who also serves as executive producer. Without getting too mired in the details I'll just point out some areas that didn't work for me: 1] Holly, played by Cynthia Erivo left me wondering why her character wasn't developed fully. She literally used the same furrowed brow expression throughout. As for her role, she is intuitive, but is she also clairvoyant? Is she a supernatural? A medium? No one really knows. The show only suggests powers beyond what she showcases, like an eidetic memory and a belief in the supernatural. 2] The creature itself is not interesting. Shape shifting is old as the hills and usually just as boring. It has this weird little encampment in a cave which borders on ridiculous and it also has to eat to survive which is even more ridiculous. Why does it choose to take children? Oh, because they're "sweeter" tasting? 3] Then there are the endless stretches of filler that compelled me to fast-forward because there was no reason to be invested in the character's relationships as they never really furthered the plot. Worth a watch but don't expect True Detective season one.

Ben has to be the best Australian actor we've had in a very long time. From Bloodline to this... the diversity of his roles and the way he goes about them. He is just brilliant and this may just be his best work yet (Bloodline is tough to beat).