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Outside In

Play trailer 2:05 Poster for Outside In 2018 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
An ex-convict tries to readjust to life in his small town and forms an intense relationship with his former high school teacher.
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Outside In

Outside In

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Critics Consensus

Brilliantly brought to life by tenderly empathetic performances from Jay Duplass and Edie Falco, Outside In tells a sobering -- yet thoroughly absorbing -- story.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Mar 27, 2020
Lynn Shelton wrote and directed two superior indie comedies, Humpday (2009) and Your Sister's Sister (2011)... Now she's back with an engrossing drama about love and circumstance, and there isn't a false note from start to finish. Go to Full Review Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle May 24, 2018
3/5
What keeps Outside In interesting throughout is the nuanced work of its so very watchable leads - especially Duplass, who spent the first half of his career behind the camera writing, directing, and producing film and TV with his brother Mark. Go to Full Review Andrew Whalen Newsweek Apr 5, 2018
Director Lynn Shelton brings a high empathic bar to Outside In, then dares the audience to clear it. Go to Full Review Cate Marquis AWFJ.org Nov 30, 2021
Edie Falco is outstanding in this film, creating a memorable character of remarkable warmth and solid values. Go to Full Review Betsy Bozdech AWFJ.org Nov 30, 2021
The beauty of "Outside In" is that it's as much Carol's story as Chris's. Both of them have been stuck in holding patterns for far too long; they need each other to spark change and growth. Go to Full Review Nikki Baughan AWFJ.org Nov 30, 2021
Shelton has created a film that finds dramatic power and emotional resonance in the smallest, most seemingly mundane of moments. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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andrea C @Charst Jul 27, 2026 Toccante e delicato dramma che normalizza la vita di un ex carcerato alle prese con la ritrovata libertà in un contesto di degrado e senza prospettive. Il cast è scelto in maniera coraggiosa, sfidando i clichè del genere e dando più credibilità proprio al contesto. I dialoghi sono praticamente sempre coerenti e profondi; solo alcuni personaggi restano troppo di contorno rispetto al loro potenziale che però forse avrebbe accentuato troppo il dramma che invece rimane normalizzato e si sprigiona solo nella rappresentazione della quotidianità senza via d'uscita. Un film molto ben riuscito e molto intelligente nella sua costruzione. See more Kalissa H. @kali_416 Feb 22, 2026 A bit slow. It could’ve been shorter maybe. See more Julia R @RT97578853 Oct 1, 2023 Perfect sunday afternoon film. Had a weep. Love is love. I love the actors, how they portray so much with their eyes. See more Andrew H H @RT20067623 Jul 28, 2023 One of my favourite American Indies. So well paced. Good choice of locations. Food for the eyes. See more Chris W @Madmuralist Apr 10, 2023 Edie Falco should have gotten an Oscar for her performance in Outside In. She has got to be one of the best actresses out there now. Stunning subtle facial expressions, where you could see what she was thinking and reacting to. I wasn't expecting much from this film from the reviews, but I was totally blown away by the depth and incredible story and acting. I wish the direction of film would follow the lead of this brilliant movie. It seems the superficial and poorly thought out films are taking over the industry. See more Jason W @RT10672415 Mar 5, 2023 This is the type of movie I typically like, so I expected to like it and wanted to like it. But none of it worked for me. Edie Falco is an amazing actor but I thought she overacted here. I didn't find Jay Duplass nearly likeable or charming enough to have the mother, daughter, and the local hottie to be so into him. There were a few nice moments but all in all I found it contrived and stilted and unsatisfying See more Read all reviews
Outside In

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Lynn Shelton

Director

Jay Duplass

Chris

Edie Falco

Carol

Kaitlyn Dever

Hildy

Ben Schwartz

Ted

Louis Hobson

Matt

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Outside In

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Outside In

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Outside In

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Movie Info

Synopsis An ex-convict tries to readjust to life in his small town and forms an intense relationship with his former high school teacher.
Director
Lynn Shelton
Producer
Mel Eslyn, Lacey Leavitt
Screenwriter
Lynn Shelton, Jay Duplass
Distributor
The Orchard
Production Co
Duplass Brothers Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 30, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 3, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$68.7K
Runtime
1h 49m
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