'The Outsider' shows what happens when teen angst goes too far

The life of an outcast teenager is dark enough, but director Rafael Piñero takes things a step further with The Outsider.

Diego (Juan Acosta) is an average 17-year-old nerd. He’s a fan of comic books and has two close friends who are also subjected to humiliation from the in crowd. Diego’s mother simply exists, depressed over the death of her husband.

An unexpected friendship with a mysterious classmate reveals Diego’s darkest thoughts, which he begins to act upon. The film slowly shows Diego’s transformation as he gives in to carnal desires and pulls away from his nerdy friends. He makes eye contact, can finally speak to girls and hold his own against school bullies.

However, Diego starts to cross the line and everything starts to unravel.

Acosta’s performance is riveting, evoking pity, compassion and disgust. The film delivers the message with humor at times, and moves quickly, in spite of the length.

Piñero expertly weaves the stories of Diego and his classmates, showing how fragile the teenage psyche is. The editing is excellent, but there are points where the film feels a bit disjointed with gratuitous scenes that are supposed to offer explanation, but leave the viewer with more questions. Ultimately though, the film is a deviously satisfying look at what happens when an outsider is pushed too far.

THE OUTSIDER
WATCH IT: 1:30 p.m., Saturday (Sept. 19)
WHERE: Cine El Rey, 311 S. 17^th St., McAllen
Length: 116 min.
Directed by: Rafael Piñero
Starring: Juan Acosta, Raúl Castellanos, Elias Chiprout