The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMovie reviewsNetflix

Outside the Wire

Outside the Wire | Movie review
13 January 2021
Abbie Grundy
Avatar
Abbie Grundy
13 January 2021

Movie and show review

Abbie Grundy

Outside the Wire

★★★★★

Release date

15th January 2021

Platform

Netflix

Links

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsite

Outside the Wire – Netflix’s latest contribution to cinema – is a tense, action-packed foray set in the not-so-distant future where Eastern Europe is in the midst of a civil war and American soldiers are forced to intervene. The year is 2036 and Lieutenant Thomas Harp (Damson Idris: Snowfall, Black Mirror) – a drone pilot facing disciplinary action – enters combat for the first time. He is partnered with Leo (Anthony Mackie), who happens to be an AI. Together, they are tasked with completing a critical mission that can save the world from nuclear conflict. 

Directed by Mikael Håfström (Evil, 4018), the movie is a solid contribution to the action genre and proves to be an entertaining yet thought-provoking watch. As the story unfurls, human reliance on technology –  particularly as a tool for destruction – is exposed and questioned, so too is the question of existence. The picture poses inquiries to its audience such as: what is it that makes us a person? Is it based on our compassion, the ability to feel pain or our emotions? Is it something that can – realistically – be brought to AI? In reality, how far away are we from the innovations featured within the film? Outside the Wire suggests around 15 years:  a thought both exciting and terrifying.

The movie’s opening is exposition-heavy and hands too much to spectators instead of giving them the chance to figure out what is happening themselves. The result is a series of flashbacks and text overlays that are comparable to video game cut-scenes. However, the feature soon garners pace as the stakes are raised and the narrative begins to carry itself. 

Outside the Wire is visually captivating, but does not shy away from exposing the brutality of warfare. Scenes depict children holding guns, bodies strewn across the ground and a world on the brink of collapse. Idris gives a standout performance throughout, and it is clear his star power will only continue to grow. The same can be said of Mackie, whose portrayal of Leo is effortless and stunningly human. Praise must also be given to the visual effects and stunt team, who pull off impressively choreographed explosions and fights, elevating the film to new levels.

In short, Outside the Wire is an entertaining watch, and is sure to be a hit with fans of the fantasy and action genre.

★★★★★

Abbie Grundy

Outside the Wire is released digitally on demand on 15th January 2021.

Watch the trailer for Outside the Wire here:

Related Itemsreview

More in Movie reviews

For the Sake of Vicious

★★★★★
Lilly Subbotin
Read More

I Blame Society

★★★★★
Lilly Subbotin
Read More

Why Did You Kill Me?

★★★★★
Emma Kiely
Read More

Me You Madness

★★★★★
Emma Kiely
Read More

Portal

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Steelers: The World’s First Gay and Inclusive Rugby Club

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

The Year Earth Changed

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Sensation

★★★★★
Francis Nash
Read More

Beast Beast

★★★★★
Ben Flanagan
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Movie and show review

Abbie Grundy

Outside the Wire

★★★★★

Release date

15th January 2021

Platform

Netflix

Links

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsite

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • London’s best pizzas for takeaway and delivery
    Food & Drinks
  • The Year Earth Changed
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Bat for Lashes Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Groundswell
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Distance Remaining – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Cruise – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • A Splinter of Ice at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Birdy at Wilton’s Music Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • For the Sake of Vicious
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Mare of Easttown
    ★★★★★
    sky
  • Cruise – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Birdy at Wilton’s Music Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Mare of Easttown
    ★★★★★
    sky
  • Me You Madness
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • SYML – Dim | EP review
    ★★★★★
    Album review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

One Night in Miami | Movie review
You Me at Six – Suckapunch | Album review