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There’s been a deluge of crime drama to consume over the past few years, so it’s actually a little hard for me to really recommend something since there’s already so much content out there. But that’s what makes HBO’s The Outsider stand out; it’s definitely not just a crime drama, but a creepy, supernatural whodunit with a sprinkling of the typical police procedural.
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On the surface, The Outsider (based on the Stephen King novel of the same name) is standard detective fare: a brutal murder, a tortured hero cop (Ben Mendelsohn), and the likable suspect who—despite damning evidence—maintains his innocence (Jason Batemen, who also directs the first two episodes). That’s not what made me binge the 10 episodes of this show, however. What really hooked me in is when The Outsider introduced the more otherworldly elements, brought to the forefront by the show’s quirky private investigator, Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo).
The show tries very hard to ground itself in the real world, which is why I think the supernatural stuff works so well. It’s mysterious and unsettling, especially set against the backdrop of a small rural town. It’s easy to see how the characters, especially Mendelsohn’s Detective Ralph Anderson, can be so hesitant to accept that seemingly disparate acts of violence are not only linked, but are the workings of something beyond their understanding, something perhaps not of this world.
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Unfortunately, it’s up in the air as to whether The Outsider will get a second season; the show was originally pitched as a limited series and they pretty much wrap up the story from the novel in one season. But that might please some of you out there who are looking for a one-and-done story, and you’ll be able to get your fill in The Outsider’s 10 episodes.
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Binge It! is IGN’s recommendation series. Movies, TV shows, books, comics, music… if you can binge it, we’re here to talk about it. In each installment of Binge It!, we’ll discuss a piece of content we’re passionate about — and why you should check it out.
