OUTER RANGE Loses Out Due To Excessive Violence, Foul Language, and Mixed Worldview
By Movieguide® Contributor
OUTER RANGE is a 2022 live-action western science-fiction thriller released by Amazon Prime. The show centers around Wyoming rancher, Royal Abbot (Josh Brolin) and his family as the secrets he tries to hide bring him and his family to the brink of ruin.
This is a well-made, visually striking, and intriguingly written show that features excellent performances from its cast, especially Brolin. The setting is particularly well-done, the land playing as key a role in the story as any of the characters. However, the presence of heavy language, a lot of moral compromise, and a mixed worldview made it, in the end, hard to enjoy.
The show begins with Royal Abbott, a salt-of-the-earth rancher who runs his cattle ranch in Wyoming with his two sons, Perry (Tom Pelphrey) and Rhett (Lewis Pullman). He has a childhood he doesn’t talk about, but the land he owns has been in his wife’s family for generations and he’s committed to keeping the land in the family as long as he lives. When he discovers an infinite hole in one of his far pastures, he decides to keep it a secret from the rest of his family. This is easy at first, but the addition of a young woman who is strangely fascinated with him and the land and then his use of the hole to try to cover up one of his son’s crimes makes keeping his secrets almost impossible as his lies lead him further and further into a tangled web.
The worldview of OUTER RANGE is a strange mix of moral/Biblical and pagan. There are faith elements that are portrayed somewhat positively, however, the main characters have shallow and inaccurate views of God and his nature that, after trying at times to rely on God, ultimately sends them into crises of faith. There are also some pagan elements with a girl convinced, cult leader-like, that she is going to lead people into a new age, and she cuts a symbol into her chest and gets a young man to do the same. However, as almost no one is portrayed as morally upright in the series, the worldview of the show gets quickly muddied.
There is sadly a lot of morally questionable content. The episodes are littered with frequent language, lying, and violence. Violent acts lead to more violent acts and fistfights turn into murder. Heroes cheat, threaten each other, turn to superstition, and fight with each other. Formerly tight families descend into hatred and enmity with each other, though this is shown clearly as a bad thing. There is some sexual content including a lesbian couple and some infrequent nudity. The main character says a family prayer that descends into railing against God.
The quality of the production was excellent, with moving performances from Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, and Imogen Poots. The plot remains fairly tight throughout the series, with just a couple instances of unclear plot points and inaccurate characterization. There were quite a few plot threads that were left open for a second season, including a very large twist at the very end. A highlight of the show was its beautiful cinematography and striking landscape shots.
Overall, while the series is well-made and visually striking, because of the language, sexual content, and mixed worldview, Movieguide® advises extreme caution is advised for older teens and adult viewers.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
