Outlast Review: Survival Instincts Bring Out the Worst in Humans

Outlast is a brand-new survival reality game show that was released on Netflix. Produced by Grant Kahler, the premise of the series is sixteen contestants are dropped off at an Alaskan forest and whoever survives till the end wins a total prize money of one million dollars. Battling nature’s harshest elements, the participants go through the extreme conditions using their respective skills.

  • Outlast Netflix Showrunner

    Mike Odair

  • Outlast Season 2 Release Date

    5 September 2024

The 16 contestants competing for the ultimate prize are: Amber Asay, Andrea Hilderbrand, Angie Kenai, Brian Kahrs, Corey Johnson, Dawn Nelson, Javier Colon, Jill Ashock, Joel Hungate, Jordan Williams, Justin Court, Lee Ettinger, Nick Radner, Paul Preece, Seth Lueker and Timothy Spears.

The reality series is based on a 2013 survival horror game of the same name.

-No Spoilers-

Outlast Review

At first look, the show seemed to be similar to every other competition, people following the rules and working hard to win themselves some hefty prize money. But gradually, it took a rather sinister and darker turn than I initially expected. The lack of rules in a game show brings out the true innate nature of humans, and this series is solid proof of it. The concept of the reality show was to bring together people from different backgrounds and “lone wolves” who needed to work as a team to survive the Alaskan wilderness.

The hardest part for many contestants was to work with their teammates. Watching a few contestants struggle to make conversation or understand social cues was funny. Four random teams were formed, and self-appointed leaders started to boss around from the get-go, which often led to disagreements, but none could express it out loud. Awkwardness could be felt from the screens, and those uncomfortable moments made the show interesting.

Outlast review
Still from Outlast

Every contestant had a different motive for joining the game show. One wished to go hiking for a long time; meanwhile, some joined to prove their worth. Angie Kenai, who was never taken seriously in life by the men she worked with, had to face a similar issue all over again and prove herself. Jill Ashock and Amber Asay’s tragic backstories will somewhat help us understand their outlook and perspective on life. And for some, it was a last resort and a golden opportunity to help restart their lives.

The fascinating aspect of the series is that the production team’s involvement is less than none. Only a few tasks were given, and very little help was provided. The contestants were indeed on their own in the wilderness. Watching them cook up plans and reach extreme conclusions to ensure their survival will leave you with a lot of questions. Everybody struggles with their moral compass, some give in, and some quit.

Outlast review
Still from Outlast

Nevertheless, it was entertaining from beginning to end. It was gritty and raw, as was the reality of surviving in unforgiving and ruthless circumstances. The gradual process of the contestants losing their cool and finally giving in to their true nature was the most gripping inevitability that no one saw coming. However, some bonds were also formed between the absurdity, and they maintained it until the very end. One message is loud and clear from the show that possessing the required skill set to survive the wilderness is definitely not enough to win the competition.

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Final Thoughts

If you love watching survival shows, you will not regret spending your precious time on this one. It provides us with a ground reality of the conditions inside a deep evergreen wild forest, away from the real world where the general laws do not apply. As the contestants descend into true madness and decide to take barbaric decisions, you will be forced to choose sides.

The show is fun and perhaps will also be educational to most. From drama to action and grizzly bears, the reality series contains every element to make it worth your time. It is extremely addictive, and the audience is bound to stay glued to their screens throughout.

Outlast review
Still from Outlast

Outlast is now streaming on Netflix. Did you watch the show yet? Which one was your favourite contestant? Let us know in the comments below!

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REVIEW OVERVIEW

Overall

SUMMARY

Outlast showcases not just nature's harshest reality but also the participants' true intentions. Read the review for more details.
Hrishita Das
Hrishita Das
Hrishita Das is an Anthropologist by training, but her true passion lies in delving into the human experience through prose. A cinephile and pop culture enthusiast, she has been a writer for a year.

30 COMMENTS

  1. Loved the concept of the show but it has been revolting at times to witness that stealing and sabotage are allowed to happen. I welcome competition, but one that embraces morality, physical and mental strength, not evil behavior. I encourage the producers to revise the rules of the show and I will return rating with high marks.

    • I completely loved the show until stealing was used and allowed in the show. I truely hope this show changes the ruling on this or else be completely cancelled!! I will not watch this cheap kind of entertainment anymore. Alone us still number one show to watch !

      • Agree completely! This kind of behavior on a “survival” show should not be encouraged. And all this not for “survival” but for monetary gain. In real life people usually tend to group more and produce more than sabotage each other and become extinct.

    • totally on your side. First i thought its a great show. the first few episodes were great bit after that change of behaviour it turned to one of the worst shows ive ever watched. definitely not worth to watch

  2. This show was horrible to watch, like it made me feel very bad. Some of those contestants were boardlune sociopaths and the production team let it happen. Its one thing to scheme and plan, it’s another thing to be cruel, like how do you celebrate taking another person source of warmth when you know temperature dropped to freezing levels. This show needs to be cancelled and people need to do better.

  3. A real eye opener on what a true apocalyptic survival happening would be like in a group setting. Really it’s kind of sickening to see the raw true acts of manipulation, theft, and betrayal. But honestly I’ve seen it for years in every day life. I really hope the rules are changed cause reality is if I caught someone stealing my stuff my ultimate survival mode would kick in and to me I would act as if my life is being threatened. Should not be allowed to just stand there and watch someone take or threaten to take my stuff and I can’t physically stop them without being kicked off the show?

  4. The show started out o.k.but then went off the rails. When stealing and destruction started it was over. Indeed it’s a wonder there wasn’t retaliation with more stealing and destruction and life endangering actions like night raids, food spoiled and tools destroyed. Indeed the hypocrisy of the destroyers was an eye opener.
    This turned into a psychological experiment about criminal behavior.

  5. The show was supposed to be about surviving in AK. It became about how peoples true levels of morality come out when greed is involved. The most disgusting of people on that show is in order are 1. Jill 2. Justin 3. Amber 4. Paul. 5. The production Team. Production team you should have thought this out. Had a plan in place and a back up if needed. You let this get out of control and lost viewer loyalty early on. You could have thrown these people out any where remotely challenging and they still would have back stabbed and cheated in the same manner because they came into this show with the same lack of morals. Paul selfishly left his team. You can say you are playing for your kids as an excuse but that won’t work in a relationship, at work, as a coach or a parent. Amber, had you been with the right team you could have learned from this. Justin, you deserved to be kicked off. Jill, you are just a disgusting person. The only episode I enjoyed was watching you unravel, make mistakes, although you’re a bad ass, and lose.

  6. I hope these cruel and stupid people never have a quiet second for their souls again.
    Concept of the show is amazing, but what’s really disturbing is, that they all have their sad pasts, and learned nothing about life. Like the drug addict, she went trough a lot, and then she comes, and did the same things to others. Nothing to be proud of. Just cruel people.

  7. Don’t bother watching, it ends with two equally rubbish teams competing where you don’t care who wins. It gets to that point through stealing and pointless ‘alliances’ between the two teams even though they will eventually have to compete against each other. I didn’t bother watching the final few episodes because like I said I didn’t care who won. Would’ve been great to see Javier stay in but of course alliances and stealing forced him to leave with no team.

  8. The show devolves to the point where people are just stood stealing and destroying infront of others, and obviously they cannot harm them so they just have to watch. It’s stupid. Normally a few devious people may bring a twist with some smart schemes or tactics but absolutely no thought goes into any of it, it’s just go and steal and destroy. All the normal people just leave because they don’t want to put up with the genuine psychopaths who seem like they are willing to kill to win the show. Honestly watching team Alpha got a bit scary at times, you can tell they are actually evil people and not necessarily just doing it for the show. Really boring to watch after that and gets uninteresting fast. I did enjoy the first few episodes though.

  9. Kudos to Brian for putting his moral in front. This contest sadly shows that distopic apocalyptic movies show the scary reality that it would really be, would that reality come true: meanness and greed would take over dangerously , as teaming up would mean for many to eliminate others as well. Really horrific to watch in a game the very reason why humankind is for effed up.

  10. I stopped watching when Paul and Jill were cackling over their misdeeds in the woods and came online to see who won. When I discovered that these two awful teams were in the final showdown, I couldn’t stomach the thought of watching any further. This started off so well but quickly turned into one of the worst things I’d ever seen. The world already sucks, I don’t need to see ugly human beings sullying up a truly beautiful setting with their disgusting behavior. Why couldn’t they just stick with the survival theme? Why did it have to become about dirty tactics and sabotage and greed? And then to see likable, decent people screwed over just because they wouldn’t stoop the same level? Nah. I’m out.

  11. I was really looking forward to the show. After watching though, I have only one request, if producers are going to allow the stealing and raiding, then let the people defend their camps!! If someone steals something of mine, they will be be on the wrong side of a very physical altercation! You want people to show their evil side to survive, let them go all the way. Bottom line, no legal repercussions for defending your camp and safety!!

  12. This show should be removed. Survival is not about what this show was. Allowing vandalism and theft. Ruined this show completely

  13. I thought Netflix had values. I stopped watching after the fifth episode. Choose a candidate with a criminal past and let her behave like such and nonsense!!! Nothing cool!!! Only Americans can behave like this in front of the screen. Committing live crimes should be prohibited. Shame on Netflix, which I am increasingly disappointed with.

  14. I live in Alaska. Staling and destruction of property are illegal even if you are remote. I liked the show overall, but watching those parts and seeing the production crew stand by and allow it would prevent me from watching again. I get the no rules part, but breaking the law to ultimately force 4 people to leave in disgust was not a competition but a disappointment.

  15. There’s no way I would watch another outlast,if they don’t change the rules about stealing and destroying others properties. I’m all about girls power,but I was sick in my stomach watching Amber and Jill actions. There’s no doubt that those two girls are mentally and physically strong,but I’m very disappointed in their actions

  16. Alpha team had nothing but thieves, bullies and a felon drug addict. They are the worst of what society has to offer and the fact that they thought they were in the right truly shows who the real psychos were. Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right. Segregation, slavery and Jim Crow laws were all legal at some point even though they were morally reprehensible. If there was truly no law out there like Jill said then Javier should have punched her in the mouth, curbed stomped her ass and taken her hostage. Then go down to the river where the worthless drug addict was ripping apart the raft and kick her stupid ass too. Just saying…. if there are no laws then be prepared to live like that. Can’t steal shit, say there is no law then hide behind the law and act like you can’t get your face rearranged. HORRIBLE SHOW

  17. Shame on Netflix for allowing such evil like team alpha to do this to other teams it wasn’t survival it was destroy or be destroyed let alone attacking a single man and him not being able to defend himself from these people. Jill and Amber deserve nothing good in this world and hopefully this show never makes another season to allow such trash as this on screen again so again shame on netflix.

  18. Disgusted by this show and the behaviors of some
    Of the people on it. To reward bad behavior is upsetting. It shows the evil in some people. I will never watch this show again. Do better Netflix!

  19. I must say that the show itself has kept us watching as it is interesting, and unpredictable. I found myself appalled with disgust for Jill and Amber’s behavior and lack of dignity of another human being. I honestly wish the worst outcome on these two. They deserve nothing at the end of this and with any luck they will watch this back and feel sick by their lack of compassion and ethics. Every show needs a villan and they definitely fit the bill. They are easy to hate.

  20. I am extremely ashamed for the producers and this disgusting peoples like a Jill and her team!
    But the first traitor was Paul!

  21. This WAS NOT a survival show.
    It was a feeble attempt to wrap a script managed swipe at a survival genre production.
    What it and the producer’s did was give the worst behaviors the best support and presence, in a mock survival production.
    2 main culprits and 1 spineless dup out of 16, 20+/- % of that population, was given the narrative.
    That the narrative was horrible and had NOTHING to do with wilderness survival.
    It was seriously the worst characteristic presence of that small percent of humans that are killing our planet and humanity, and the reason we have prisons.
    If you liked this show your values are seriously perverse. If I were to be in a game like this with those three despicable people, and followed Jills belief in no rules, I would have bound, gagged and caged Jill, then Amber, then Justin and left them in different parts of the forrest to let the bears have them . Only the film crews would know where they were.
    That’s Survival.
    Either take the gloves off completely, NO rules and let someone die, or be responsible and maintain some rule of law.
    In a true survival situation, the 8 people who knew what Jill, Amber and Justin had done would have enforced marshal law and the true law of the wilderness, ONLY the strongest will survive.

  22. Jill, Justin and Amber should have been charged with attempted murder for stealing sleeping bags in 25 degree weather. Since they weren’t dealt with, the producers of the show should have been charged for not intervening.

    Producers and Netflix should heed the outcry of the viewers. If round two is produced, they need to make a formal statement about how their lack of rules has been modified. As Javier stated, this is still the United States of America. Crime should not be confused with game play.

    Four outstanding contestants were forced from the competition, victims of criminal activity. Two are lucky to be alive. These four should be awarded monetary compensation. Alpha team should have been dismantled by the hapless producers and sent packing so the real game could be played out!

  23. I understand why some viewers are suggesting rules be introduced to protect contestants from getting knocked out unfairly. But if you do that, the game will lose meaning. The game is kind of a social experiment on what humans beings are capable of if their no rules governing them and they are left only with their moral compass as a guide. Rules will make the game a controlled experiment and it won’t be teaching any meaningful lessons. This is more than a game, this exactly a manifestation of the different kinds of humans that live in our society. Some with integrity, some willing to do anything to have it all, and others who play neutral in everything & just wait for the spoils of war. It’s also a lesson about how environment can influence us, the last guy to leave was turned evil by the ladies, while the other guys before him refused to be seduced into playing dirty and left with their integrity intact. So, kudos Netflix with that series, I loved it. I like your style, just make sure no life is lost.

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Outlast showcases not just nature's harshest reality but also the participants' true intentions. Read the review for more details.Outlast Review: Survival Instincts Bring Out the Worst in Humans