After a one night stand with a co-worker, Cass agrees to babysit her daughter Ari while she is out of town in Elena Oxman’s quietly moving drama OUTERLANDS screening at NewFest Pride 2025.
Asia Kate Dillon and the wonderfully expressive young actress Ridley Asha Bateman bring the often funny script to life through their realistic performances. Dillon’s Orange Is the New Black co-star Lea DeLaria has a supporting role as a bank employee who takes an interest in Cass. She lights up the screen whenever she appears and their scenes together stand out.
There is gorgeous footage of San Francisco at night set to Lena Raine’s ethereal choral score. Oxman maneuvers themes of childhood trauma, financial strain, solitude, love, and addiction commendably and leads Outerlands to its touching finale.
