A conversation with the cast of Netflix’s Filipino zombie film ‘Outside’

Metro Manila, Philippines— A rollercoaster of emotions filled the air on the first shooting day of “Outside,” the first Filipino zombie film produced by Netflix, said its three main stars.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, actors Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzalez, and Marco Masa shared the physical, emotional, and mental demands of creating a zombie film while staying true to their emotional core. The story is about a family trapped in isolation during a zombie outbreak.

First shooting day

For Gonzalez, stepping onto the set for the first time felt like being a child in a candy store. "I was back home," she said. The actress found the location familiar, as it was just a stone's throw away from her own neighborhood in Negros.

“It was a mix of happiness and fear because my mom could visit me anytime. But I told her, ‘Ma, I’m in a Netflix movie!’” she added.

Masa expressed curiosity about the film’s progress on the first shooting day.

“I was happy to finally see how the story would unfold," he said.

Masa said he found the transition from television dramas to this film format refreshing, as it allowed for a more coherent narrative flow, rather than jumping between emotional scenes.

Lucero said he applied the same strategy he uses on the first day of shooting for every project.

"My first day is usually the same. Kahit anong project ko [Regardless of any project]. I have an idea of how I'm gonna do it, but I really don't know how I'm going to do it until I see everybody else. I see the set, and I really base the way I'm gonna do things on what's happening. Usually. Because everything I think about malayo dun sa naisip ko [far from what I thought] when I first read the script,” he explained.

The cast revealed that their first day of shooting included a burial scene, a light-hearted moment that set the tone for a challenging but rewarding filming process.

Balancing horror and heart

The cast said “Outside” isn’t just a zombie film; it delves into themes of family and generational trauma.

Gonzalez described the difficulty of maintaining a consistent emotional state over multiple takes.

“Alam mo, sa totoo lang, ang pinaka-mahirap sa akin yung paulit-ulit. Kasi you know, nandun naman lahat eh. It's just you have to stay on that emotion na paulit-ulit. Because that's the hardest for me,” she said.

[Translation: “You know, to be honest, the hardest part for me is the repetition. Because you know, everything is there. It’s just that you have to stay in that emotion repeatedly. Because that’s the hardest for me.”]

Masa reflected on how the zombie elements served as a trigger for exploring deeper family issues. He explained that the zombies represented past traumas, affecting relationships with family.

“Yun, mahirap din i-sustain yung emotion of course. But it's mentally challenging din kasi parang it's a rollercoaster of emotions kapag papanoorin kasi yung zombies is just what triggers yung past traumas ng family and yung generational trauma na naranasan and to be passed on Joshua. And it's how it affects yung relationship ko sa family ko. And of course how I perceive yung kung paano kami dati,” he added.

[Translation: “It’s difficult to sustain the emotion, of course. But it's also mentally challenging because it feels like a rollercoaster of emotions when you watch it since the zombies are just what triggers the family’s past traumas and the generational trauma that Joshua experienced. It affects my relationship with my family, and of course, how I perceive our past.”]

Lucero said he found joy in the creative aspects, noting that the costumes and practical effects, including the on-set zombies, invigorated the filming experience. "Seeing the zombies made it feel like playtime," he said.

A community affair

“Outside’ also provided an opportunity to work with the local community. The cast shared anecdotes about the enthusiastic local talent involved, including theater students and volunteers who contributed to the production.

"Every day, we were treated to local food," Gonzalez said.

“Nakakatawa ka sila kasi nagde-deliver sila, naka-zombie. So, kasama ka pala dito. Talagang silang lahat, nagba-volunteer. And then, bumibigay din sila, nag-acting sila. So, I'm really excited for them to watch it,” she added.

[Translation: “It’s funny because they delivered food dressed as zombies. So, you really felt included. They all volunteered, and they even acted. So, I'm really excited for them to watch it.”]

Gonzalez said there would be a screening in their town hall, creating an inclusive experience for local actors and residents.

Takeaway

With pressure building for the cast following the release of the zombie film, Lucero described it as one of the most honest films he has ever worked on—simple, entertaining, and deeply relatable.

“It’s a story about us, or maybe a friend, or a cousin,” he added.

Masa and Gonzalez echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of showcasing Filipino storytelling within the genre.