NetflixOutlander (2014)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 8.3
Overview
The story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Netflix
Spectrum
PhiloBias Dimensions
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Female Combat: Yes
Christianity: Positive
Overview
The story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
NetflixSpectrumPhiloDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film presents a classic sci-fi action narrative centered on survival and heroism, with an underlying theme of the consequences of past actions (environmental destruction/displacement) that complicates the nature of the antagonist, ultimately balancing potential left-leaning critiques with traditional themes of community defense and leadership.
Outlander features primarily traditional casting that aligns with its historical setting and source material, without explicit race or gender swaps of established roles. However, its narrative strongly critiques historical power structures, explicitly portraying the negative impacts of colonialism, slavery, and patriarchy.
Secondary
Outlander offers a largely positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes, primarily through Lord John Grey. His character is depicted with dignity, complexity, and agency, navigating societal prejudices with resilience. The show treats his identity and relationships with empathy, affirming the worth of queer lives and love despite historical challenges.
The show features Claire Fraser, who, when attacked by a male Redcoat soldier, successfully uses a knife in close-quarters combat to defend herself and defeat her assailant.
The series portrays Christianity with significant nuance, showcasing both the profound comfort, moral strength, and community it provides to characters like Jamie, and the severe societal harms caused by religious intolerance, hypocrisy, and persecution. The narrative consistently condemns bigotry and the abuse of religious power, while affirming the genuine faith and virtues of its adherents.
The "Outlander" television series faithfully adapts Diana Gabaldon's novels. All major and supporting characters maintain the same gender as established in the source material, with no instances of a character canonically portrayed as one gender being depicted as another.
The show faithfully adapts the racial descriptions of characters from the source novels. All major and recurring characters, including those from Scottish, English, French, and Indigenous backgrounds, are portrayed by actors whose race aligns with their established canon. No race swaps are identified.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
8.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
8.3
8.2
Critic Ratings
9.0
7.6
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