The Outsider (2019)

Jon Foo is Jing Pang, a worker on the railroad who dreams of a better future for he, his young wife Li (Nellie LeeYa) and their unborn child.

But he’s an outsider, and that makes him a perfect target for the bullying of James Walker (Kaiwa Lyman), who wears a deputy’s badge and whose brother is the law in town.

James has Jing thrown in jail for no reason, then sets about curing his case of “yellow fever” by coercing Li into trading sexual favors for her husband’s freedom.

When she balks, he rapes and kills her.

But Jing Pang is an uncommonly deadly outsider once angered. So deadly, in fact, that all the forces Marshal Walker (Trace Adkins) can muster might not be enough to save his wayward son.

And that’s especially true once the tracker hired to find the outsider — Chris King (Sean Patrick Flanery) — winds up siding with him instead.

Review:

A well-done opening sets the stage for a bleak, dark revenge flick with a touch of kung fu fighting thrown in for good measure.

And in spite of recent turkeys like “Traded” and “The Texas Jack Story,” don’t let Trace Adkins’ presence scare you off.

Here, he’s a lawman tortured by a promise to his dying wife to keep her only son safe. And he’s determined to live up to that promise despite his son’s evil ways.

With most of the scenes taking place at night, and many in the pouring rain, Timothy Woodward Jr. delivers his best Western yet. He was also at the helm of “Traded” (2016) and “Hickok” (2017).

You’ll also see Danny Trejo on the cast list. He plays a leader of a posse dispatched by Marshal Walker to track down Jing Phang.

Directed by:
Timothy Woodward Jr.

Cast:
Jon Foo … Jing Phang
Trace Adkins … Marshal Walker
Sean Patrick Flanery … Chris King
Kaiwi Lyman … James Walker
Danny Trejo …. Carlos
Mitchell L. Johnson … Frank Pratt
Philip V. Bruenn … Danny
Nellie LeeYa … Li Phang
as Nelli Tsay
Alan Donnes … Bartender
Peter Sherayko … Railroad man
Melissa Phebe Baxter … Mariam
Cara Fay … Faith
Hunter Paul … Gabriel

Runtime: 86 min.

Memorable lines:

James Walker to Jing Phang: “I don’t have a problem with you. I see you as nothing, except something maybe that exists between the dirt and the roaches. But nothing of importance in my life. Your woman, however, I do have a problem with her. You see, I have yellow fever. And I’m hoping she’s the cure.”

Marshal Walker to Frank Pratt: “You stick to my boy like flies on shit til this is done. He takes a piss, you hold it for him. He takes a shit, you wipe him. But you keep him safe.”

James Walker to his dad: “God turned his back on us a long time ago, you old fool.”

James Walker: “You’re still holding on to your God. Do you think he can save me?”
Marshal Walker: “You’re beyond saving. But that’s my failing, not his.”

James Walker to his father: “Go be with your God. You always loved him more than me.”