‘Outcast’ stresses out more than it scares

PATRICK Fugit (left) and Philip Glenister

Watching the horror series, “Outcast,” about a traumatized man with exorcism powers, can be stressful—it’s disturbing, despite its lack of unique scares.

The new show on Fox (Saturdays, 8:55 p.m.) succeeds in creating a dispiriting world through its depiction of violence and gore, so it’s actually more repulsive than frightening.

“Outcast” is based on the comic book series by “The Walking Dead” creator, Robert Kirkman, who considers this supernatural drama more frightening than his zombie-apocalypse TV hit.

So far, it has yet to be as scary as the latter show—the first five episodes of the 10-part series feel like a contemporary retelling of “The Exorcist,” and many of its possession-subgenre ilk from film and television.

It stars Patrick Fugit as a troubled misfit, Kyle Barnes, who uses unsettling exorcism abilities to drive away dark entities that possess innocents.

Kyle hesitantly works with an older exorcist, the weary Reverend Anderson (Philip Glenister).

The reluctant partners have their respective traumas, their lives irrevocably changed by terrible encounters with otherworldly beings, which continue to wreak havoc in their town. These intangible enemies call Kyle “the outcast,” for some reason, which puzzles him as well.

The dour and discomfiting weekly series offers familiar and previously tackled horror scenarios—shows like “Supernatural,” “True Blood” and more recently, “Damien,” have done their share of paranormal possessions, with mostly favorable results.

“Outcast” pretty much gives extended, by-the-numbers depictions of such monstrous activity—but with more stomach-turning elements.

It has a perceptive and praiseworthy cast, however: Fugit, from Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film, “Almost Famous,” explores his depressed character with consistency, complementing costar Glenister’s affecting portrayal of his tired but unyielding priest.

Effective guest actors playing diverse antagonists include Brent Spiner, Lee Tergesen and Scott Porter.

“Outcast” may have less than unique scare tactics, but it still succeeds in utilizing a dreadful, moody atmosphere.

It’s stressful viewing, to be sure, unafraid to cut loose with shocking imagery with no regard for the squeamish.