The Outpost

Outpost, written and directed by Joe Lo Truglio, is a real stunner of a psychological trip to the darker side of surviving abuse.  Seriously.  What I like best about this independent thriller is its flawless pacing and its dedication to turning the visual aspect of film into pure poetry as one woman, after surviving a violent assault from her abusive ex, attempts to move past the trauma as a fire lookout in the mountains of northern Idaho.

But the shocks and surprises are far more telling than you’d expect.

"earns its wings as a unique take on isolation"


With an excellent performance from Beth Dover as Kate, the survivor at the center of this thriller, Outpost earns its wings as a unique take on isolation.  Much like The Shining did with the Overlook Hotel, Outpost has one woman sticking to the routine in a one room tower which is situated at the top of the mountains. 

The location is rock solid; full of spectacular views for miles and miles.  But it’s the mindset of Kate which elevates this narrative into full tilt paranoia as the isolation does a number on her.  Or, honestly, is it just the fact that the man who abused her has disappeared and could reappear at any moment?  The demons lining up from her past are many and, as experienced here, never give her any relief. 

Opening with a stunning attack, which immediately draws you in, Outpost never lets up on its audience, causing tension, casting suspicions, and so on as she discovers that she is never left alone.  She can’t desert her post; it’s far too important, but she also can’t manage to keep the shadows of the past from rearing their head in unexpected ways. The Outpost

Co-starring Ato Essandoh, Dylan Baker, Becky Ann Baker, Dallas Roberts, Ta'Rea Campbell,  Tim Neff, D.R. Anderson, Outpost knows its audience, too.  It manages to balance the horror with proper bouts of comedy and, thanks to a keen eye from its director of photography, Frank Barrera, offers its audience interesting perspectives of Kate doing normal things, but slightly off-kilter.  These moments are great and add to the overall spell of this engrossing and unsettling horror film.

Distributed by Gravitas Ventures, Outpost turns the peaceful solitude of the mountains on its ears and upends (or confirms) just how haunting the wilderness is.  People come here to hide, right?  What are they running from?  The answer is far more unsettling than you’d believe. 

Outpost will be available in theaters, On Demand, and Digital on May 19th.

4/5 stars

Film Details

The Outpost

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime:
84 mins
Director
: Joe Lo Truglio
Writer:
Joe Lo Truglio
Cast:
Ato Essandoh; Dylan Baker; Dallas Roberts
Genre
: Horror
Tagline:
Wonderful Surprises Await You All.
Memorable Movie Quote: "It's a Nightmare Up Here."
Distributor:
Gravitas Ventures
Official Site:
Release Date:
May 19, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:

Synopsis: After a violent assault, a woman asks her best friend for help escaping an abusive ex. She’s given a job as a fire lookout in the mountains of northern Idaho, hoping the peaceful solitude will heal her trauma. But the PTSD and isolation have other plans, and it’s suddenly a fight to save herself and the town.

Art

The Outpost