Outside In (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Outside In is a 2018 drama directed by Lynn Shelton, starring Edie Falco as Carol, Kaitlyn Dever and Ben Schwartz. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $68,492 worldwide. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Lynn Shelton
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- The Orchard
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Outside In About?
The premise of Outside In without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After twenty years in prison, Chris struggles to readjust to life outside, feeling lost and isolated. His former teacher, Carol, offers unexpected support and becomes a confidant, though she is married. A developing friendship between Chris and Carol’s daughter, Hildy, provides a sense of hope in this drama exploring themes of redemption, connection, and the possibility of finding love in unexpected places.
Outside In Themes & Keywords
· 7 tags- happiness
- number 2 in title
- murder
- spider
- demon
- destruction
- three word title
Outside In Cast & Characters
Edie Falco leads the cast as Carol, with Kaitlyn Dever as Hildy and Ben Schwartz as Ted. Directed by Lynn Shelton; 9 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Lynn Shelton
-
Edie Falco as Carol -
Kaitlyn Dever as Hildy -
Ben Schwartz as Ted - Alycia Delmore as Tara
Also Starring in Outside In
· 5 more- Aaron Blakely Shane
- Emily Cowan Hildy's Friend
- Louis Hobson Matt
- Stephen Grenley Phil
- Saige Hawthorne
More from Lynn Shelton
More films directed by Lynn Shelton, best-rated first: Sword of Trust, Your Sister's Sister, Humpday and Laggies.
Outside In Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Outside In 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Outside In Echo Score Breakdown
Outside In exhibits notable strengths in performance and sensory design, balanced by occasional shortcomings in narrative momentum. The prevalent sentiment among reviewers praises the lead actors’ nuanced portrayals and the film’s assured direction, while critiques point to an underwritten plot and conventional pacing. Soundtrack choices and visual cohesion contribute to an immersive atmosphere, though some scenes lack dramatic tension. In sum, Outside In leaves a favorable, if measured, impression anchored by its emotional resonance.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film's direction and production design demonstrate careful restraint and visual cohesion. Reviews highlight Shelton's assured guiding hand alongside a refined editing rhythm that underscores each scene's emotional weight. Cinematography favors an understated palette that supports the narrative without overt flourish. Overall, the craft exhibits a thoughtful precision that enhances the film's intimate scope.
- Character & Emotion 88
When it comes to character and emotion, the leads deliver nuanced performances that anchor the drama’s authenticity. Multiple critiques note Duplass’s subtle vulnerability and Falco’s emotional intelligence, while their chemistry sustains viewer engagement. Some viewers mention occasional underplay in supporting roles, yet the core dynamic remains compelling throughout. Ultimately, the portrayals offer depth and resonance that drive the film forward.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace that some find too conventional and underwritten in key moments. Critics remark on meaningful themes of connection and redemption, but note uneven plotting and restrained tension. Although occasional emotional payoffs succeed, the overall structure lacks the momentum expected of a more dynamic drama.
- Sensory Experience 82
When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and visual presentation work in tandem to create an engaging atmosphere. Reviews praise Andrew Bird’s understated score for its emotional alignment, and the sound design enhances quiet moments without distraction. The visual style employs a cohesive color palette that supports the film’s intimate tone and ambiance.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Regarding the rewatch factor, the film’s intimate scope and emotional clarity may encourage repeat viewings among audiences drawn to character-driven stories. While its understated pacing and subtle narrative details offer moments of discovery on second viewing, the conventional plot structure may limit broader replay value. Overall, the film retains modest lasting appeal through its performances.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
13 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.1 /5
See on Movie Insider
Outside In Plot Summary
What happens in Outside In from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Chris is released from prison at the age of 38, after serving 20 years for murder. At a surprise party to celebrate, he reunites with Carol, his former high school teacher and confidant who had successfully fought for his release. They later meet up, and Chris abruptly hugs her and gives her a portrait he made of her. Carol suspects he has a crush on her, though her own feelings are complicated, as she is married with a teenage daughter.
Full summary
The whole story of Outside In, scene by scene
Outside In Box Office
Outside In grossed $68,492 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$68.5K
- US & Canada
- $68.5K
Outside In Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Outside In.
How Well Do You Know Outside In?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
How many years did Chris serve in prison before being released?
Cars in Outside In
25 cars on screen, including the 1990 Toyota Camry and the 1992 Toyota Truck.
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1990 Toyota Camry Important role -
1992 Toyota Truck Important role -
1970 Ford F-Series Minor role -
2002 Audi A4 B6 Background role
Outside In Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Наизнанку” and “아웃사이드 인”.
- Also known as
-
- Наизнанку
- 아웃사이드 인
- De Fora para Dentro
- 从外而内
- מבחוץ פנימה
- 從外而內
Seen Outside In?
Movies Like Outside In
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Inside Out, Inside Out and Crazy on the Outside.
Outside In FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Outside In, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Outside In?
Outside In runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Outside In released?
Outside In was released on March 30, 2018.
Who directed Outside In?
Outside In was directed by Lynn Shelton.
More films by Lynn Shelton Who is in the cast of Outside In?
Outside In stars Edie Falco as Carol, Kaitlyn Dever as Hildy and Ben Schwartz as Ted, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Outside In make at the box office?
Outside In grossed $68,492 worldwide.
How is Outside In rated?
Outside In has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.
Does Outside In have a post-credit scene?
No. Outside In has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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