“Outer Range” is Amazon Prime’s answer to the uber popular Netflix series “Stranger Things,” albeit with a more polished Hollywood cast. The original series dropped in April, and has been met with mixed reviews. I won’t offer spoilers here, but if you haven’t watched it you should go in fresh and come back to this review.
The eight-episode series is a successful mix of western and thriller.
I was hooked from the title image; Josh Brolin portraying some sort of cowboy rancher manly man. The inclusion of a science fiction and mystery elements was an unexpected treat.
Brolin plays Royal Abbott, the patriarch and owner of the Abbott family ranch. The Abbott clan itself comes with their own drama. Eldest son Perry (Tom Pelphrey) is raising his nine-year-old daughter, his wife having mysteriously disappeared some time before the events of the story. Younger son Rhett (Lewis Pullman) is a brash hothead and rodeo wrangler. Lili Taylor of “The Conjuring” plays Royal’s wife, Cecilia.
We quickly learn a few things. The sprawling Wyoming ranch has been in the Abbott family for generations. A portion of the property is being contested by the neighboring Tillerson family, headed by Wayne (Will Patton) and his sons Luke and Billy (Shaun Sipos and Noah Reid).
Royal Abbott is harboring a secret.
An ominous traveler named Autumn (Imogen Poots) arrives and sets camp on the property. A beautiful ex-girlfriend (Isabel Arraiza) has her sights set on Rhett. The town sheriff (Morningstar Angeline) is seeking reelection. These facets in and of themselves would make for an interesting story. But the viewer soon discovers that Royal is harboring a secret. One that sets “Outer Range” apart from any other western.
The acting in the series is state of the art. Brolin has amazing on screen presence. From sheer aesthetics, he looks the part of a rancher. A few times I was reminded of his great performance in “No Country for Old Men” where he plays a similar character. Lili Taylor is highly recognizable from her role in “The Conjuring” and here shows she is a fantastic star with great emotional range. The younger players are equally solid. I was amused to learn that Lewis Pullman, who plays Rhett Abbott, is the son of Captain Lonestar himself, Bill Pullman. Imogen Poots shows diversity with a character that totes the line of sanity. Like Brolin, Will Patton looks right at home on a ranch.
The episodes flow quickly, and include a mix of action, suspense, and drama. The setting is breathtaking though I was bummed to read it wasn’t actually filmed in Wyoming.
“Outer Range” is a fun show to geek out on.
There are fan theories abound, explanation videos, and more questions than answers. It reminded me of ‘Lost’ and I hope it doesn’t follow the same aimless trajectory. When you reach the end, you’ll want to watch it again.
Season Two hasn’t been announced as of yet, but it has to be forthcoming. Until then, “Outer Range” can easily be binged in a weekend.
“Outer Range” is currently only available to stream on Amazon Prime.
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