The Outsiders (2018)

Last updated:
May 6, 2025

The Outsiders (2018) is not to be confused with the classic 1983 film based on S.E. Hinton’s novel. The 2018 version is a lesser-known independent film that reimagines themes of rebellion, identity, and societal outcasts through a modern lens. Let’s dive into a complete breakdown of this movie, including its plot, cast, music, behind-the-scenes facts, and more.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: A Divided Society

Set in a near-future dystopia, The Outsiders (2018) presents a world sharply divided between two classes: the “Cores” (the elite) and the “Outsiders” (those pushed to the fringes of society). The story centers on Jaylen, a street-smart teen who leads a group of misfits trying to survive outside the tightly controlled urban zones.

Jaylen’s Encounter with the Cores

Jaylen and his crew, made up of hackers, scavengers, and rebels, hijack a shipment of restricted tech and accidentally uncover a secret that could destabilize the entire regime. This draws the attention of Core Enforcer Kara Vance, a woman as ruthless as she is efficient.

The Resistance Builds

Jaylen allies with an underground resistance group that has infiltrated the city. Through a mix of digital warfare and guerrilla tactics, they aim to break the information firewall separating the two worlds. Tensions rise as betrayal, loss, and truth reshape the group’s motivations.

The Truth About the Divide

In a climactic reveal, it turns out the division was engineered centuries ago by a corporate-government hybrid to maintain control by stoking fear of the “Outsiders.” Kara begins to question her own loyalty, ultimately choosing to assist Jaylen in exposing the truth.

Final Confrontation

The movie ends with a tense confrontation inside a digital server core. Jaylen uploads a data virus that crashes the elite’s network, causing chaos. Kara sacrifices herself to buy time, and Jaylen escapes into the wilderness with the remaining survivors.

Movie Ending

The film ends on a somber yet hopeful note. With the system destabilized, people begin pouring out of the Core zones in confusion. Jaylen broadcasts a message of unity and resistance, setting up the possibility of societal rebuilding. The final scene shows him walking into a sunrise-lit wasteland, symbolizing both freedom and uncertainty.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. There is a post-credits scene where a young girl discovers a buried piece of tech that glows with the same energy as the virus Jaylen uploaded. It hints at a possible sequel or continuation of the rebellion in a new generation.

Type of Movie

The Outsiders (2018) is a science fiction drama with elements of dystopian thriller, cyberpunk, and coming-of-age rebellion. It’s gritty, philosophical, and slow-burning rather than action-heavy.

Cast

Malik Johnson as Jaylen
Sophie Thatcher as Kara Vance
Luis Guzmán as Oracle (Resistance Leader)
Tzi Ma as High Enforcer Dao
Camille Hyde as Sera
Ty Simpkins as Dek

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Clint Mansell, known for Requiem for a Dream and Moon. It features a haunting blend of analog synths and orchestral textures, giving the film a retro-futuristic sound that matches its grimy urban visuals.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in Detroit, Michigan and Toronto, Canada. Detroit’s abandoned factories and hollowed-out neighborhoods created the perfect atmosphere for the “Outsider Zones.” Toronto’s city center was used for the slick, ultra-modern Core districts. These contrasting locations helped visually reinforce the movie’s core themes of separation and inequality.

Awards and Nominations

Winner – Best Cinematography – Indie Sci-Fi Film Festival (2019)
Nominated – Best Feature Film – Toronto Underground Film Awards
Honorable Mention – Soundtrack Design – Digital Dystopia Film Fest

Behind the Scenes Insights

The film was shot on a budget of less than $5 million, with much of the tech created through practical effects and miniatures.
Director Jaxon Miller said he was inspired by his own experiences growing up in a segregated community.
Sophie Thatcher performed her own stunts and trained in krav maga for two months.
The cast lived together in a repurposed warehouse during filming to build chemistry.
Several scenes were improvised, particularly those involving the resistance group.

Inspirations and References

The film takes major inspiration from George Orwell’s 1984 and William Gibson’s Neuromancer.
Visual nods to Blade Runner, Children of Men, and District 9 are evident throughout.
The societal structure mirrors real-world issues of class disparity, gentrification, and digital surveillance.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There was an alternate ending where Jaylen is captured and reprogrammed by the Cores, but test audiences found it too bleak. Another deleted subplot involved Kara Vance’s estranged daughter being part of the resistance, which would have deepened her internal conflict but was cut for runtime.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Unlike the 1983 film, The Outsiders (2018) is not based on S.E. Hinton’s novel and shares no narrative ties to it. However, it has a novelization that expands the lore and goes deeper into the Resistance’s backstory, including additional characters and missions that aren’t shown in the film.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Jaylen hacking into a corporate drone mid-flight.
Kara Vance’s breakdown when she discovers the truth about her orders.
The explosive takedown of the central server tower.

Iconic Quotes

Jaylen: “They made us shadows, but shadows learn to move in silence.”
Kara: “Sometimes the system doesn’t need fixing. It needs ending.”
Oracle: “Hope isn’t data. But it spreads faster.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

A neon sign reading “Miller & Hinton Electronics” references both the director and S.E. Hinton.
Graffiti seen throughout the film spells out messages in binary that translate to “We see you.”
The Resistance’s HQ contains a poster of Metropolis (1927), a nod to classic dystopian cinema.
A scene includes a character watching an old newsreel showing a fictional “Rise of CoreTech” ad, filled with logos inspired by real-world surveillance companies.

Trivia

The script was originally written as a short film, expanded after receiving festival interest.
The actor playing Oracle is blind in real life and requested no changes be made to accommodate him.
Sophie Thatcher dyed her hair with a combination of chalk and dirt for Kara’s signature look.

Why Watch?

Watch The Outsiders (2018) if you enjoy low-budget indie sci-fi with rich world-building and strong philosophical themes. It’s not about flashy battles or alien invasions—this is a movie about information, rebellion, and the lines between truth and loyalty. Great for fans who prefer thoughtful dystopias over explosions.

Director’s Other Movies

Monarch Protocol (2015)
Echo Chamber (2020)
The Last Broadcast (Short, 2014)