Elena Oxman’s Outerlands is a cinematic gem that masterfully combines subtlety and emotional depth, revealing the complexities of identity, abandonment, and the challenges of finding connection in a fractured world. Set against the backdrop of a changing San Francisco, the film follows Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), a lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server, whose seemingly straightforward life becomes a poignant exploration of the ghosts of the past and the struggles of the present.
Cass’s world is turned upside down when Kalli (Louisa Krause), a work crush, unexpectedly leaves town, leaving her in charge of Kalli’s headstrong 11-year-old daughter, Ari (Ridley Asha Bateman). As Kalli’s absence stretches on, Cass is forced to confront her own unresolved childhood trauma, as well as the unsettling possibility that Ari might be experiencing abandonment similar to what she endured.
The film’s simplicity is its strength, subtly weaving layers of emotional complexity into its narrative. Oxman deftly contrasts the quiet drama of Cass’s life with poetic interludes — lingering shots of the cityscape and its shifting contrasts between booming tech companies and struggling neighborhoods. The film’s setting, the Outerlands, represents not just a physical location, but the socio-economic struggles faced by Cass and those around her. Once a vibrant queer haven, the city now finds itself grappling with inequality, the cracks of which are evident in Cass’s rundown neighborhood.
Cass’s life is further complicated by her friendship with Emile (Daniel K. Isaac), a gay coworker who encourages her to join local queer nights at bars. While Cass’s depression often leads her to decline, moments of judgment from others, particularly from cisgender queer individuals, end her attempts to connect. Dillon’s performance, marked by a transformation since her role in Billions, adds layers to the film’s meta-narrative about the scrutiny placed on nonbinary and transgender individuals in modern America. Oxman chooses not to overtly politicize these moments but allows the context to naturally unfold through Cass’s lived experience.
At the heart of Outerlands is Cass’s fragile existence. Whether contending with the challenges of being nonbinary, carrying the weight of childhood trauma, or navigating the emotional terrain of a broken social world, Cass is constantly forced to reckon with their own identity and their relationship to others. The film’s power lies in its intimate portrayal of these struggles, conveyed through riveting close-ups and a minimalist visual style that captures Cass’s emotional isolation. Moments of misgendering or affirmation add nuance to Cass’s journey, as does their fluctuating attraction to others, which is often dictated by the affirmation or rejection of their identity.
Lena Raine’s haunting score enhances the film’s melancholic mood, fusing electronic and orchestral elements to underscore the transient nature of both the city and Cass’s personal journey. The film never allows Cass to feel fully grounded in the world around them, reflecting their internal instability and the impermanence that shapes their interactions, particularly with Ari, as they attempt to navigate the complexities of adulthood and the trauma of their youth.
Bateman’s portrayal of Ari, a self-sufficient and wise-beyond-her-years adolescent, is another standout element of Outerlands. Her nuanced performance captures the emotional avoidance and unspoken vulnerability of a young girl grappling with the possible loss of her mother. Ari’s independence tells its own story — one of emotional survival — and, as the film progresses, the walls she’s built up start to crack, revealing a glimpse of her own longing for the comfort of the past.
Both Ari and Cass reveal their vulnerabilities in fleeting moments, as the film delicately explores their desires for love, stability, and comfort. Despite her growing maturity, Ari clings to childhood mementos, such as stuffed animals from her mother, while Cass, nearing middle age, lives in a sparse, disorganized apartment, retreating into a video game from their youth. This contrast reflects the film’s deeper exploration of the inner child — a theme particularly poignant for those who have experienced childhood trauma.
A pivotal moment comes when Cass meets Denise (Lea DeLaria), an older lesbian woman who gently reminds Cass of the need to nurture their inner child. For Cass, self-love remains an elusive goal, hindered by a lifetime of emotional neglect and self-doubt. Dillon’s portrayal captures the emotional complexity of this experience, offering a raw and intimate exploration of the challenges faced by those without strong support systems, particularly in the queer and gender non-conforming community.
Through its delicate portrayal of identity, trauma, and connection, Outerlands creates a powerful emotional journey. The film lures the audience in with its understated drama, gradually revealing the intricate layers of Cass’s character while inviting viewers to experience the complex, often contradictory emotions that define the human experience. Outerlands is not just a story about a place, but about the quiet, often painful process of coming to terms with one’s past and finding a way to move forward.
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