Oddity

For anyone that watches a lot of horror, you'll know how difficult it is to scare audiences today. This film got me. It's definitely without a doubt one of the scariest and most original indie horror films to come out in 2024. Oddity managed to tell what feels like a big story in really just a few locations. I can't imagine the budget was too big, and sometimes it felt low budget, but in my opinion, this only made it scarier. For some reason I always feel like big budget horror movies don't serve the scares as successfully because there's something comforting about the studio polish. This film had an indie grit and the jump scares were SO EFFECTIVE. I don't jump easily but this got me several times. And the story is also captivating. Highly recommend, especially for horror lovers!

This film does a lot of things right. While there's a jump scare or two, the fear mostly consists of atmosphere and situations that would easily scare anyone in a similar setting. That's the right way to do horror, with the idea of something inspiring dread as opposed to cheap reaction scares that are only effective due to loud noises. It even starts out with an impossible decision that effortlessly hooks you in. Additionally, there's always something to focus on that consistently engages the audience. Shown, not immediately explained. Seen and not described. This results in mystery and guesswork that will keep you interested throughout. All in all an entertaining film, and the acting skill displayed by the entire cast is competent and fitting.

I only have two complaints. The first is that the motivation of some characters are basically nonsensical. It could be argued these people are essentially psychopaths, but even so their choices are far too extreme to be believed. Absolutely ridiculous. The second is the ending scene. I can't elaborate without spoilers, but while the concept is very cool, the execution was pretty weak. None of this ruined my overall enjoyment of the film, but there is no lasting impression because of it, which is a shame.

Over the years, I've almost given up on horror films. Most are essentially comedies to me, without meaning to be. It's rare that I even get an uneasy feeling and watching any movie, but this one succeeded in doing that.

The acting was good and while it was essentially filmed low budget, it didn't feel that way. Carolyn Bracken did an amazing job within her roles and I would like to see more from her in the future.

It was a relatively simple film and of course had plot holes and points that made no sense... But even after that, it was definitely worth the watch. I do wish they would have removed the last scene from the movie though. It was not needed and only detracted from the positives.

Greetings again from the darkness. For me, the best horror movies aren't a factor of jump-scare after jump-scare, but rather of the level of lingering unease and ominous atmospheric dread they generate. Writer-director Damian McCarthy has accomplished just such a movie with his second feature film. Oddly enough, ODDITY could be described as a murder mystery cloaked in supernatural horror, yet I believe most horror fans will welcome this one from the edge of their seat.

Dr. Ted Timmis (Gwilym Lee, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, 2018) works at a psychiatric asylum, and a late-night call with his wife Dani, finds her informing him that she'll stay the night alone at the house they are renovating. A knock on the door, followed by the stranger's warning, sets things up for us. Debating whether to open the door, Dani is told that she's not alone in the house and the stranger identifies himself as Olin Boole (Tading Murphy, THE NORTHMAN, 2022), a former patient of her husband's. He says he just wants to help. For reasons never explained, Dani sleeps in a tent in the unfurnished great room - although a tent is typically used as protection from the elements, and she's inside the house. She's not affected by weather, yet other elements are afoot, and the vinyl tent offers no defense.

The story then skips ahead over a period of time, and finds widower Ted in a new relationship with Yana (Caroline Menton), who prefers not to sleep alone in the now renovated house where the wife of her boyfriend was previously murdered. Meanwhile, Ted wanders into the creepy mystical trinket store where Darcy (Carolyn Bracken, THE QUIET GIRL, 2022) works, and makes an innocent remark about having her visit sometime. Darcy is the blind twin of Dani, and her short blonde hair stands in stark contrast to sister Dani's previous long, auburn tresses. Darcy claims to have certain powers as a medium, and we can't help but wonder if she has thoughts of avenging her sister's death.

The elements of Irish folk horror work well here. These include a rundown asylum with a creepy orderly, a frantic one-eyed stranger pounding on the door, a remote house with a woman staying alone, and a trap door in an expansive house replete with staircases and corridors. The only thing missing is a skittish dog. However, the piece de resistance is the "gift" Darcy brings Ted and Yana ... a trunk containing a large wooden mannequin. This terrifying work is not a gift anyone would welcome from the psychic twin sister of one's murdered wife.

Some of the best scenes are exchanges between Yana and Darcy (Ms. Bracken is exceptional here). Their verbal jousting is filled with intrigue, all while we are left to ponder the history and meaning of the bizarre mannequin, a family heirloom. That terrific opening sequence sets the stage, and the film gets even better from there. Director McCarthy, editor Brian Philip Davis, cinematographer Colm Hogan, and Production Designer Lauren Kelly work together to create an eerie tone filled with tension ... and yes, there is even a well-placed jump-scare for those in need. This is one of those low-key horror films that we can hope finds an appreciative audience.

In theaters beginning July 19, 2024.

Ted and Dani Timmins have recently purchased a new house. One night, whilst Ted is at work, Dani receives a visitor at the front door, Olin Boole, who claims someone's in her house, that night Dani is killed. Darcy, Dani's twin aims to learn the truth.

If ever a film was given the perfect title, it's this one, it verges on art house, it's very much an avant garde, slightly quirky horror, but trust me it works.

I wasn't sure which way it was going to go, but it opens up well, and offers a few surprises along the way, delivering some unsettling moments, that scene with the wooden man is especially good.

If I had one little criticism, I think they underdid the lighting a little, a few scenes are somewhat challenging to make out.

It does feel a little rough around the edges at times, but I think that is part of the charm, maybe some of the acting isn't great at all times, but again that fits the film.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend.

7/10.