The Outer Country

In "The Outer Country," sisters Manda and Siripon navigate a fraught relationship marked by childhood rivalry after being separated for years when only one is chosen to move from Thailand to America. Their reunion is spurred by the birth of Siripon's son, Ben, but Manda's joy quickly turns to fear as she suspects that Ben is possessed due to his effeminacy. This tension escalates with a secret Buddhist exorcism that brings about a decade of struggles, forcing Ben to confront his identity and the family's buried truths. Spanning diverse settings, the narrative explores themes of family, identity, and cultural conflict.