The Outside Story

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1:52

The Outside Story

2021

1h 25m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

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48 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Brian Tyree Henry takes on his first big screen lead role as Charles Young, a broken-hearted video editor. Perceiving a betrayal of trust as a sign his girlfriend Isha (Sonequa Martin-Green) is leaving him, Charles preemptively blows up his relationship and sequesters himself at home. The fates do not comply and Charles locks himself out of his apartment. Stumbling into a transformational, timely odyssey exploring his community, Charles meets a dynamic ensemble of previously avoided neighbors (including Sunita Mani, Olivia Edward and Asia Kate Dillon) who show him everyone's got issues and it never helps to keep them all locked up.

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Critics Consensus

A refreshingly optimistic look at urban community life, The Outside Story is further distinguished by a layered leading performance from Brian Tyree Henry.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Even a bevy of idiosyncratic supporting characters (flirty policewoman, priggish gay upstairs neighbor, older woman looking for romance) can't compensate enough for a storyline that feels like it can't get off its own treadmill.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jun 23, 2021

Full Review

Angie Han

Mashable

It may not be exactly the experience we're going through right now, but Nozkowski's gentle charmer does serve as a reminder of the joys of going out and meeting people again.

May 12, 2021

Full Review

Musthafa Azeez

Globe and Mail

The Outside Story will leave you smiling and ready to connect with your loved ones once again.

May 6, 2021

Full Review

Carlos Ovalle

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Despite The Outside Story’s aimless nature, some might enjoy Casimir Nozkowski’s quiet and snoozy direction; it just isn’t the lead role debut Brian Tyree Henry deserves.

Rated: 5.5/10

Jan 22, 2023

Full Review

Norman Wilner

NOW Toronto

Henry – an invaluable ensemble player in everything from Atlanta and Widows to Spider-Man and Godzilla Vs. Kong – is quietly great in his first leading role, and Nozkowski keeps the tone pleasantly busy rather than panicked.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 29, 2022

Full Review

Lonita Cook

Black Bee Buzz

Henry's tender performance and his buttered beauty mixed with clever dialogue to mask the cracks in the overall execution.

Jun 10, 2021

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Kennith B

Absolutely EXCELLENT.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/23/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Kyle M

Simplistic realism, occasional comedic and empathetic resonance towards Brian Tyler Henry’s gently performed plight positionally enables an open-minded insight of how beneficially optimistic social extroversion can be, successfully attempted in shedding a light in the unwanted situation. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/24

Full Review

B L

The Outside Story is a great slice of life movie that is reminiscent to classic 80's/90's films. It captured the essence of a guy evolving from the opening image (Social hermit dealing with heartbreak) to the ending (Fighting for his ex and allowing himself to be open to making friendships with his neighbors). I resonated heavy with a lot of the themes. Brian Tyree Henry really excelled in his first leading role. I love how the city of New York was a character on it own.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/01/22

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Audience Member

Such a funny, heartfelt film. From the directing to the performances to the writing -- I absolutely loved it. A beautiful New York story!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved The Outside Story. Incredibly well written in terms of both story and dialog, such beautifully thought out shots, terrific directing/acting. Bryan Tyree Hill was fantastic and perfectly cast. Also very much loved Hannah Bos and the great performance by the young Olivia Edward. The scoring was TIGHT and perfect. It was well-crafted and executed in every detail. I both laughed out loud and teared up. I really really loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Casimir Nozkowski

Director

Brian Tyree Henry

Charles Young

Sonequa Martin-Green

Isha

Sunita Mani

Slater

Olivia Edward

Elena

Asia Kate Dillon

Inez

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The Outside Story: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Brian Tyree Henry takes on his first big screen lead role as Charles Young, a broken-hearted video editor. Perceiving a betrayal of trust as a sign his girlfriend Isha (Sonequa Martin-Green) is leaving him, Charles preemptively blows up his relationship and sequesters himself at home. The fates do not comply and Charles locks himself out of his apartment. Stumbling into a transformational, timely odyssey exploring his community, Charles meets a dynamic ensemble of previously avoided neighbors (including Sunita Mani, Olivia Edward and Asia Kate Dillon) who show him everyone's got issues and it never helps to keep them all locked up.

Director: Casimir Nozkowski
Producer: Frank Hall Green, Brian Newman, Joseph Stephans
Screenwriter: Casimir Nozkowski
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co: Greenmachine Film, Sub-Genre Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 30, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 30, 2021
Runtime: 1h 25m

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