Nextflix Reviews - The Outsider

Want to know what to 'watch next' on Netflix? Check out my Nextflix Reviews

This film stars Jared Leto of not so popular Joker in Suicide Squad fame as Nick, The Outsider a westerner or gaijin, in the world of Japanese mobsters set in a post WWII era. He starts out in prison, we never get to find out how he came to be in the prison or much about his past at all really, apart from one small scene later in the movie. Whilst there he does a favour for a Yakuza member, Kiyoshi and is welcomed into the fold upon release. It soon becomes apparent he has a violent streak in him which makes him fit right in with his new associates, although as an American in post-war Japan and not having a vested interest in the Shirumatso family many of them do not really appreciate his presence. Kiyoshi perhaps feels an obligation towards him as he helped him in prison.

The pace of the movie is pretty slow in the main and the dialogue is quite minimal but it is far from boring. The movie charts his progress trying to gain acceptance, with mixed success, into his new family life among his new brothers learning their harsh rules and customs. The 4 watch words being honour, respect, loyalty and obedience all to the backdrop of a long running animosity with another family which slowly builds to a head where that code is tested.

Much of the dialogue is in Japanese so prepare for a lot of reading and they also do a lot of talking with their fists, knives, swords & guns too so expect a lot of blood and violence. I really thought it was a good film, two hours well spent.

************************************************