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The Outside Story

Play trailer 1:52 Poster for The Outside Story 2021 1h 25m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 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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The Outside Story

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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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Critics Reviews

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Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association Jun 23, 2021
1.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Angie Han Mashable May 12, 2021
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. Go to Full Review Musthafa Azeez Globe and Mail May 6, 2021
The Outside Story will leave you smiling and ready to connect with your loved ones once again. Go to Full Review Carlos Ovalle But Why Tho? Jan 22, 2023
5.5/10
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. Go to Full Review Norman Wilner NOW Toronto Mar 29, 2022
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Lonita Cook Black Bee Buzz Jun 10, 2021
Henry's tender performance and his buttered beauty mixed with clever dialogue to mask the cracks in the overall execution. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Elliot B @ebryan41 Aug 27, 2026 It felt real and humanly honest. See more Boo B @ReddBerry Feb 24, 2026 Very good movie! A light hearted, warm, relatable film with comedic moments. See more Kennith B Nov 23, 2025 Absolutely EXCELLENT. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 2, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Jul 17, 2024 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) See more Feb 18, 2022 Such a funny, heartfelt film. From the directing to the performances to the writing -- I absolutely loved it. A beautiful New York story! See more Read all reviews
The Outside Story

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Outside Story

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Movie Info

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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