5 Years Later, I Still Think This 91% Fresh Stephen King Show Is His Best Adaptation Yet
It's a benchmark adaptation that both understands and respects its source material and boldly and skillfully reimagines it.
Of the many adaptations of Stephen King's works, only a few convey both the story and the unique, oppressive atmosphere that makes his books masterpieces.
The Outsider, based on the novel of the same name, is among them. Five years after its release, I still think that it is one of the best, if not the best, adaptations of the horror master's works for television.
What Is 'The Outsider' About?
The story begins with the shocking and brutal murder of an 11-year-old boy in a small town. All evidence, including fingerprints and DNA, points to Terry Maitland, a local coach and family man.
Detective Ralph Anderson arrests Maitland in public. However, Maitland has an airtight alibi – he was in another town at the time of the crime, and dozens of witnesses saw him there.
Eccentric private investigator Holly Gibney joins the investigation, willing to consider the most improbable – even otherworldly – explanation for what's happening.
In The Outsider, Stephen King Returns to His Roots
Fans of Stephen King's early works, such as The Shining, will recognize familiar elements in The Outsider. Initially, the story develops like a tense detective thriller, but in the second half, an irrational, mystical evil enters the narrative.
Once again, as he did forty years ago, King insists that the bogeyman is real. It is not a metaphor or a figment of a sick imagination, but rather a genuine, otherworldly entity that feeds on human grief and sows death.
The Outsider is a return to the classic formula where a realistic world collides with inexplicable horror.
The Outsider Was Created by the Writer of The Wire
One of the series' key strengths is the involvement of Richard Price, a TV veteran and co-creator of the cult classic The Wire.
Price's work elevated the project from a good book to an outstanding series. Price didn't just adapt the book – he enhanced it, making it darker and more psychologically authentic.
Price transformed The Outsider into a poignant story of grief, giving the characters' actions emotional depth and making their conflict with irrational evil feel more personal and poignant.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of The Outsider?
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The Outsider has 91% from critics and 82% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.6/10.
Where to Watch The Outsider?
The Outsider is available to stream on HBO Max.
