Is Outside the First Well-Produced Filipino Zombie Film? The Trailer Says Yes

The strange sense of tension creeps in with your chest getting heavy. You shouted “run” as if the characters could hear you and save themselves from the walking dead—that is the exact feeling when watching a good zombie film.

Now, imagine feeling that same intensity just from a trailer. Get ready to grip your seat—because we’re about to step Outside.

The Catch with the Trailer

On September 19, Netflix Philippines released an apocalyptic trailer of Outside. It received praise from viewers, saying it seems promising, with some mistakenly taking it as Western produced. With a concluding line, “You can’t keep out what’s already inside,” it gives a peek at the psychological horror experience that comes with a family’s traumatic journey.

Written and Directed by Carlo Ledesma, he described the film as a “terrifying psychological thriller” at the Netflix APAC Southeast Asia Showcase in Indonesia. The Filipino-Australian filmmaker also expresses how personal the project was: “It explores how a family could fall apart, and it played out my worst fears as a father.“

Meet the Cast

Playing out the role of husband and wife in Outside are A-list actors Sid Lucero (Francis) and Beauty Gonzales (Iris), with Marco Masa (Josh) and Aiden Patdu (Lucas) as their children. Enchong Dee and Joel Torre also have special roles, making the cast a heavyweight package. With Sid, an award-winning artist recognized for carrying many-sided characters, one can expect a nerve-wracking horror. 

Teaser Breakdown

The scene begins with a worn and damaged van driving through an isolated countryside. Inside are Francis, his wife Iris, and their two sons, Josh and Lucas, who are on the run. A smear of blood on the window hints at the danger they’ve just escaped.

As they arrive, the farmhouse comes into view almost as if it’s seen a fair share of abandonment with debris all over—the exterior exhibits bleakness, which makes you probe what is brewing underneath the walls. Quickly transitioning, the family enters with the sons questioning their safety. The father, serving as a security figure, reassures them they’re safe.

Then, the atmosphere intensifies through brief bursts of terror—barricading doors, peering through windows, and navigating the ongoing fear of the undead outside. Followed by Francis, showing signs of mental strain.

In one particularly unsettling scene, Francis has an aloof and unreadable expression, as if something darker were inside him. Faster-paced shots highlight the family’s survival efforts.

Francis stealthily peeks into a room where Iris and their son Lucas are hiding as the trailer comes to a close. It’s unnerving how he looks at them as if Francis is the real threat. The tagline, “You can’t keep out what’s already inside,” and the title, “Outside,” appear as the screen turns black.

A Breed of Horror: The Other Filipino Zombie Films

Filipinos, by nature, are happy people, and this is clearly reflected in the humor we see in the entertainment industry, especially in films. From the classic anthology film series Shake, Rattle, and Roll and Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs. Zombies, there’s always a touch of comedy—even in horror movies.  

However, as time passes, many viewers want less exaggerations, comical effects, and melodramas. We want less of the cringe. This is why Outside, despite being unreleased, has generated a lot of anticipation. Rather than relying on humor to break the tension, Outside seems ready to immerse audiences in genuine fear and suspense.

Now, let’s look at the other Filipino zombie films that audiences have already seen to understand why horror elements are on the back burner.

Only You (Izla) ‘not the worst B-film’

Not shying away from the fact that it is a B-film, Only You is about the adventurous V-sisters—Veronica, Valerie, and Venus—and their friends, who decide to visit the mysterious “Forbidden Island” to film a prank video. However, their fun becomes a nightmare when they encounter real zombies created by secret WWII experiments. Although the idea of the movie is exciting, it doesn’t fully deliver. The humor feels immature, some jokes drag on too long, and the scenes struggle to blend horror and comedy.

Block Z Delivers More Teen Angst Than Quarantine Horror

With a 5.4/10 rating on the Internet Movie Database, Block Z offers plenty of zombie action, but teen drama stands out more. The film follows PJ (Julia Barretto)  and her group of friends as they steer a deadly outbreak and their own personal struggles. The film seems more like a coming-of-age story than straight-up horror. Block Z misses out on creating the relentless fear and survival instinct that should drive a zombie narrative.

My Zombabe Trades Chills for Romance

My Zombabe stars Empoy Marquez as Pong, the loneliest man in a zombie-filled world, whose life changes when Yasmin, played by Kim Molina, appears—though she’s slowly turning into a zombie. The film doesn’t bother explaining its zombie apocalypse, leaving many questions unanswered, like how long the zombification process takes or the purpose of certain injections. The film’s final act offers a conclusion that feels oddly sweet.

First Impressions Last: Filipinos’ Initial Reactions

Content creators and film critics have already weighed in, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Scroll down for some impressions of the zombie film. 

A Promising Cast and High Production Value 

“Even just the trailer looks high-quality; it has an international vibe. Plus, the cast is impressive! I think Beauty Gonzales is the new face of Filipino horror films. And you can never go wrong with Sid Lucero!” says Jezreel Ely, a content creator based on movies, celebrities, and entertainment.

Explores Deeper Themes

In her trailer review, Novy Recate, known for movie recommendations, states, “It’s incredibly intriguing how Outside isn’t your typical zombie survival movie. It’s not just about an external horror element. It’s not just people versus zombies; it’s also people versus themselves.”

Exciting and Thrilling

“Finally, it looks like we have a decent zombie movie!” a remark said by a TikTok influencer called Dr. Zeus, followed by him explaining the hints and spoilers the film must have. He cannot wait for it to be released as it was also directed by Carlo Ledesma, the director of the series The Tunnel (2011), which is applauded for excellent production value and acting.

What We Hope to See When Outside Arrives 

As Outside is set to premiere on Netflix on October 17, we hope to see horror that moves away from the pitfalls that often plague Filipino zombie films. This film could captivate audiences locally and internationally by focusing on solid character development, a gripping narrative, and high production values. 

Additionally, it can encourage local filmmakers to push the boundaries of Filipino cinema, inspiring them to create more innovative and genre-defying content. When it arrives, there is hope for it to demonstrate that horror films with unique, culturally rooted stories can succeed globally.

Are you ready to step Outside? Mark your calendars now.