Cabinet of Curiosities The Outside Review

    Last time in the Cabinet of Curiosities review anthology, we discussed The Autopsy, the best episode yet in the series. If you want to read more about that episode, check out the review clicking here. That said, this time we'll be discussing The Outside, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, this is a complete tone shift from the prior episode. However, is that tone shift a good or bad thing? Lets dive in!

    Starring Kate Micucci and Martin Starr, The Outside features a very awkward banker named Stacey who struggles to fit in. For those who love Silicon Valley, you'll immediately recognize Martin Starr, who plays a police officer and Stacey's husband. The poor guy has to endure Stacey's awkwardness, taxidermy hobby, and insecurities throughout the episode. Speaking of insecurities, The Outside revolves around a special type of lotion which promises the world and is something Stacey notices her colleagues using. Attempting to fit in, she gives into that lotions advertising on TV, ignoring the side effects, and the rest I'll leave for you to enjoy.  

       Acting throughout this episode is stellar. Kate does a fantastic job of making Stacey seem like the ugliest of ducklings that no one wants to be around, Martin Starr brings his usual dry humor, and the rest of the supporting cast complete the package like a bow on a Christmas present. The writing in this episode helps the stars shine as well, it's witty, zany, and just straight fun. Oddly enough, while this episode certainly doesn't dabble much in your typical horror tropes, the ones that shine through are welcome and impactful. On top of that, the style of this episode feels like something from decades past, featuring an older style of cinematography that somewhat reminds me of the 90s. Homing in on that vibe, the camera cuts, framing, and movement aligns well with the zany writing. I have one main issue with this episode, it has somewhat of a similar ending as other episodes in this series. I won't spoil it for you, but chances are you'll see it coming, just not in the way you expect. Due to that, it feels a tad cheap.

       Overall, I quite enjoyed The Outside, despite it not being what I expect from this series. It's a fun watch and while it's not the best thing since sliced bread, it's at least a slice of that loaf to enjoy. A welcome surprise, with a great cast and somewhat interesting ending sequence. Just like The Autopsy, I recommend giving this episode a watch as well. 

Rating: 8/10