Outside Satan (Hors Satan) is a 2011 French movie written and directed by Bruno Dumont. The movie's protagonist is a wanderer who lives in a remote area of Northern France, on the Côte d'Opale. Despite his apparent struggle, he has a supernatural quality and a stoic personality, making him an enigmatic figure to those around him.
The protagonist is accompanied by a nameless girl, who occasionally speaks, but is as mysterious as he is. The story follows the wanderer's encounters with the locals, including a farmer, a churchwoman, a young girl, and a group of teenagers. He helps them by giving them what they want, whether it is an act of violence or a silent, comforting presence.
The wanderer's actions are ambiguous and often involve pagan rituals or supernatural interventions. He builds fires to exorcise evil spirits, places a curse on a man who intends to destroy his land, and uses a rifle to protect himself and those in need. Some of his actions can be interpreted as miracles, especially when he seems to heal a sick boy.
The movie has been described as a meditation on religion, faith, and the inexplicable. The landscape and the weather play a significant role in creating an eerie, mystical atmosphere. Dumont's use of long takes and natural sound emphasizes the characters' isolation and the slow pace of rural life.
Outside Satan is not a linear narrative with a clear plot; instead, it invites the viewer to contemplate the characters' motivations and the symbolic meanings behind their actions. The movie has received critical acclaim for its poetic imagery and its exploration of the ambiguity of good and evil.