Spoiler-Free Review of “Outpost” on Demand: The Danger of Being All By Yourself…

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“There’s no peace in nature…”

Outpost released on demand on May 19th 2023. The psychological horror film stars Beth Dover, Dylan Baker, Becky Ann Baker, and Dallas Roberts. It runs for 90 minutes.

After surviving an abusive relationship, Beth takes a job as a fire lookout in Idaho, but her past trauma begins to take over her life.

Here is the trailer:

Outpost features a terrific performance by Beth Dover and a trippy journey into madness. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Gravitas Ventures

Beth Dover delivers with her performance.

I’ve seen a lot of films lately centering around an abuse survivor and Beth Dover was very convincing in this role, which is not always easy to portray. Even when she was interacting with other characters, she really poured so much into her expressions and actions, which drew me in a lot more. She had to show off a range of different emotions and I think she went all in, which elevated this film in a lot of ways for me.

Loved her!

Crazy final act!

This was a slow burn horror/thriller for sure and it took a while to get there, but that final act was insane in the best possible way. Things took an unexpected turn and each reveal was well thought out.

When I finished the movie, I was unsure if I liked the ultimate outcome for these characters, but I appreciate that it tried to do something different and strayed away from the safe formula that other similar films have taken in the past. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Gravitas Ventures

Slow start…

Like, really slow. The acting was fantastic and there were some trippy moments sprinkled in to keep me watching, but I wanted a lot more leading up to the final act to make it pop that much more. The movie was on the shorter side, but I felt like I was watching it for a while until we got to the end.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Gravitas Ventures

I’m in about 75 percent…

Outpost has a lot going for it and had some horrifying moments for sure, but the bulk of the movie needed a little bit more of an edge. 

Overall, this was a decent watch; however, and I really enjoyed Beth Dover’s performance.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Outpost in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” season 8 episode 9: “It’s Time For The Apocalypse”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the FX network’s American Horror Story:  Apocalypse season 8 episode 9 last night, a lot of our unanswered questions have finally been answered, but we still have a lot left to cover in next week’s finale.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “Fire and Reign,” Michael takes the attack directly to the coven, two “coked up nerds” plot the end of the world, and Mallory’s powers are put to the test.  We also continue to get some fun Easter eggs along the way.  My top 5 moments from American Horror Story:  Apocalypse season 8 episode 9 are:

5

“Well Satan might want to get a paternity test.”

In this episode, we continue to catch up with Jeff and Mutt, played by Peters and Eichner, who are not that impressed with the Antichrist, Michael Langdon.  Jeff hilariously makes fun of Langdon and mocks him saying, “I don’t know what I am supposed to do” and Mutt hilariously points out that Jesus didn’t have it easy either and “that’s why he went to the desert bro.”  We know that Billy Eichner’s other character, Brock, ends up in the wasteland for quite some time as well.  Ms. Venable also gets some more screen time in this episode and is clearly looking for more responsibility, as important as booking the “mile high escorts” is.  Even though her personality is not the warmest, Jeff and Mutt do recognize how much she has done for them and tell her that they want to save her and have her lead her very own Outpost in the apocalypse.  And so we continue connecting the dots.

4

“They’re just gone.”

Michael is still filled with rage and anger, desperately looking to take his revenge out on the witches.  Dinah sells out the witches for a 13 episode talk show, which is amusing because AHS used to be 13 episodes that sometimes had the tendency to drag toward the end.  This season, we will only get 10 episodes, but I’m now wondering if that is truly enough time to wrap everything up.  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out.  Michael puts Ms. Mead to work and she whips out her shotgun arm, taking out Zoe and Queenie, explaining why we do not see them in the future with the other witches.  Cordelia is beyond devastated, especially when she tries to tap into their souls and finds nothing.  Madison conveniently takes this time to explain what she witnessed Michael do back in Murder House and Cordelia realizes that she needs to figure out something fast to protect the rest of her girls.  It is also important to note that Misty was conveniently not in this episode but still mentioned, hinting that perhaps the mud surrounding the swamps could be used for Cordelia’s spell to help hide and protect her girls in the future.

3

“This sounds like the plot of The Omen 3.”

We learn that nerds, or “coked up nerds” in this case, can really take over the world.  Jeff and Mutt use Ms. Mead to communicate with Michael.  They are unimpressed with his desire to run for president and hilariously point out that this sounds like the plot of one of The Omen movies.  After all, Michael does not have too much material to work with on how to be the Antichrist.  Maybe someone can get him a How To guide?  Jeff and Mutt decide that they want to destroy the world instead and use Ms. Mead to convince Michael to jump on the bandwagon, proving that manipulation can be an extremely powerful skill.

2

“This bitch can travel through time?”

As Cordelia recognizes the very real threat against her coven, she explains to Mallory that she must survive, recognizing that Mallory may be the only witch who can truly get them out of this.  Mallory wants to help her sisters, but the test on her powers is dangerous and could lead to death.  Myrtle points out that it will be like the “blind leading the blind,” referencing that Cordelia was once blind herself, as they try to help Mallory go back in time to save Anastasia, the daughter of Alexei Nikolaevich.  You may know about Anastasia from history or from the beloved animated classic, but this version of Anastasia possessed some kind of magical abilities, only they were not strong enough to protect her family.  In history, there was a lot of mystery that surrounded Anastasia’s death, as many impostors claimed to be her.  She was also known as “The Lost Princess,” which connects back to Mallory.  Mallory goes back in time to try and help her, but fails.  She is brought back to present time; however, proving that she is worthy of this power, which will definitely come in handy for our favorite witches.  In the future, Mallory is unsure of her own identity and feels like she has someone trapped within her, suggesting that she is a “lost princess” as well or really a lost witch in this case.

1

“It’s time for the apocalypse.”

We learn that the price of admission is only 100 million dollars, which seems reasonable.  Where can I sign up?  We also learn that “The Cooperative” is actually another name for “The Illuminati.”  Michael convinces everyone to stand with him and Jeff and Mutt’s plan is underway.  After all, they just need to convince a few powerful leaders to push some buttons to start the end of the world, which is beyond scary.  Even though we are surrounded by demons, witches, and a pentagram filled with dead warlocks, the end of the world is actually presented in a realistic way that makes these events even more concerning.  Now that we have all of the chess pieces in place, it’s time to play the game, but who will end up triumphant?  Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on American Horror Story:  Apocalypse below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Stay up to date on upcoming premieres of horror TV series @ 12nightsofhorror.com/horror-series-coming-soon

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

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Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover