‘Outlaw’ (2024) Netflix Movie Review - Violence and Drugs

The movie opens by delving into the protagonist's childhood, introducing us to Rebecca, a spirited young girl determined to "choose her own family." She grows up in a seemingly ordinary environment until her world is shattered when her family sells her to a notorious drug lord. He forces her into the grim fate of becoming "one of his girls."

Joana, a seasoned member of the gang and a woman who has been trapped in the criminal underworld for years, is introduced as Rebecca's handler. Having grown older and no longer desired like the younger girls, Joana is tasked with managing and controlling them, taking on a matriarchal role within the gang. Despite her harsh circumstances, Rebecca's rebellious nature shines through. From the very beginning, she defies the oppressive environment, making her first attempt to escape shortly after arriving. But with the gang’s watchful eyes and tight control, she fails and is forced to endure, with time only deepening her resolve to fight back.

Years pass, and Rebecca's rebellious spirit refuses to be broken. In an attempt to tame her, the drug lord arranges for her to be married off to a violent man who sees her as nothing more than property. On their wedding night, when he tries to assert his dominance over her, Rebecca finally snaps. In a desperate bid for survival, she kills him. With blood on her hands and nowhere to turn, she makes a daring escape from the gang.

As Rebecca flees, the question looms: has she become an outlaw in the eyes of the law and the underworld? Will her path to freedom lead her deeper into the criminal abyss, or can she carve out a new life far from the reach of those who seek to control her? The film follows Rebecca as she navigates the consequences of her actions, torn between survival and redemption in a world that has always sought to break her.

Outlaw falls short of the promise it initially seems to offer. What starts as a story brimming with potential quickly unravels into a sluggish and disjointed narrative. The pacing is painfully slow, dragging through scenes that feel unnecessarily long and failing to build any meaningful tension. Instead of gripping the audience, it leaves them disconnected, struggling to make sense of the unfolding events.

One of the major flaws is the lack of coherence in the storyline. Characters appear and disappear without any substantial development, leaving their motives unclear and their actions perplexing. Rebecca’s journey, which should have been the emotional core of the film, is diluted by haphazard plotting and underdeveloped subplots. Instead of exploring the depth of her struggles and growth as a character, the film meanders, missing opportunities to delve into the complex themes of survival, identity, and rebellion.
 
 
Moreover, the dialogue feels forced and stilted, offering little insight into the characters' minds or emotions. The film seems to aim for a dark, gritty atmosphere, but it never fully commits, resulting in an uneven tone that leaves the audience confused about what it’s trying to achieve. The moments of action, few and far between, fail to deliver the intensity or catharsis that the buildup promises.

Overall, Outlaw is a film that starts with an intriguing premise but quickly loses steam. It lacks the clarity and direction needed to bring its ambitious themes to life, leaving viewers with little more than a sense of frustration and unfulfilled potential.

Final Score- [4/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times