Before Marvel, Brian Tyree Henry Starred In This Underrated Rom-Com - Now It's Free
In 2020, shortly before his career propelled him into major-league franchise territory, Brian Tyree Henry starred in an underrated rom-com where he proved his leading-man potential. Henry first rose to prominence starring as Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles in Atlanta (2016), showcasing his skills as he portrayed the short-tempered, whip-smart, but surprisingly vulnerable rising rapper. His career continued gaining steam as he starred as a manipulative and charismatic crime boss in Widows (2018) and seamlessly transitioned into the role of a haunted parolee in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).
Today, Henry is well-known for his work on several major film franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Monsterverse. He thrives in roles of passionate, wise, and brilliant figures, whether it’s a conspiracy theorist, an immortal being, or a man juggling police work and fatherhood. However, in 2020, Henry did something different, quietly offering a standout role and proving his acting prowess in a film that garnered little fanfare.
What Is Brian Tyree Henry's Hidden Gem Rom-Com?
There was perhaps no more fitting time for the premiere of The Outside Story (2020) than the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As quarantining and social distancing citizens earned a newfound appreciation for simple human connection, Casimir Nozkowski’s film about a personal journey outside one’s bubble felt especially resonant. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, The Outside Story only received a limited theatrical release and flew under the radar. Now is the perfect time to rediscover the hidden gem, though, as it streams for free on JustWatch TV.
The Outside Story centers on Charles Young (Henry), an introverted homebody going through a breakup. Before his breakup, his charismatic girlfriend, Isha (Sonequa Martin-Green), was his primary link to the outside world. Without her, he has receded back into his apartment, where he spends his day working as a film editor. Everything changes, though, when he accidentally locks himself out of his apartment while accepting a food delivery. Shoeless and facing a pressing work deadline with no keys, Charles is forced to interact with his neighbors to solve his dilemma. What starts as a desire to get back into his apartment turns into a comedic and heartwarming adventure as his interactions with neighbors give him a new outlook on life and love.
Why 'The Outside Story' Is Brian Tyree Henry's Standout Role
The Outside Story has a simple premise and a rather simple protagonist, which is part of its appeal. There’s a quiet realism to the story, which seeks to present humans as they are. It doesn’t make a big deal out of the ticket-frantic cop or even the neighbor in a polyamorous relationship with a married couple. The movie accepts these characters as they are without a hint of scandal or criticism. It does the same with Charles.
As an introvert myself, one of my pet peeves with movies is how the introverted homebody can never just be an introvert. They are always some hidden genius or, even worse, a dangerously anti-social outcast. In The Outside Story, though, Henry plays Charles with astonishing realism as an average, slightly world-weary introvert. Like most introverts, he’s a little apathetic and exasperated by life, but he’s, above all, very human. He still has passion and heart. He doesn’t need a life-changing journey or a personality overhaul, just a gentle nudge to awaken his great capacity for love, connection, and kindness.
Henry’s performance as Charles is quietly beautiful. He doesn’t need words, speaking with his eyes to convey the subtle but sweetest of changes in Charles’ outlook on the world. Henry may have a knack for playing geniuses, larger-than-life immortals, or crime bosses, but it’s his role as a quiet introvert rediscovering his love for life that will really tug at your heartstrings.
Why To Watch 'The Outside Story'
The Outside Story is the perfect watch if you’re a fan of Henry and looking for a heartwarming rom-com. It’s quirky enough to be comedic but with an underlying sense of warmth that makes it feel sincere. The film is an especially good watch if you enjoy Only Murders in the Building (2021), Late Bloomers (2023), and similar shows and movies that focus on the blossoming of friendships in the most unexpected circumstances. At just 85 minutes, The Outside Story keeps a brisk pace and doesn’t linger in one place too long.
It introduces you to a colorful array of characters but doesn’t reveal all their secrets, making it inviting to those who like to draw their own conclusions and theories about the deeper lives of side characters. Despite its rom-com tone and brisk pace, The Outside Story never feels overly cheesy or melodramatic. Instead, there’s a quiet sense of heart that makes it, at times, as poignant as Up (2009) or Nomadland (2020) in its simple framing of humanity.
