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| Carolyn Bracken in Oddity |
Writer-director Damian McCarthy's 2020 horror film, Caveat, was well-received by critics and fans, myself among them. I recently caught up with his sophomore effort, Oddity (2024), which builds on the promise of his debut, offering viewers a unique mix of the horror, mystery and thriller genres. It's an offbeat, atmospheric film, and while there are some jump scare moments, it's a bit old-fashioned in its execution, and that's a good thing.
As the film opens, we meet Dani, a woman living in an isolated house in the Irish countryside. She's murdered under mysterious circumstances, while waiting for her husband Ted (a doctor who works at a local asylum) to return home. Dani appears to have been killed by one of her husband's patients, but there are some lingering questions about just what happened on the night of her death. How did the patient get out of the asylum? Why did he try to warn Dani that she was in terrible danger?
A year later, Ted visits Dani’s twin sister Darcy, who owns a local curiosities shop. Darcy is blind, but seems to have some psychic powers. Ted offhandedly invites Darcy to visit him and his new girlfriend at the house he used to share with Dani. Much to Ted's surprise, Darcy shows up soon after, with a mysterious box in tow, and neither he or his girlfriend Yana are very happy to see her. What follows is a twisty tale that is part ghost story, part thriller and part murder mystery. Oh, and there's a creepy Golem-like figure (which had been stored in Darcy's wooden box) which also figures into the plot.
Oddity is the kind of horror movie that emanates old school vibes, and that's a real compliment to the skill of its director. Damian McCarthy clearly understands that what you don't see is often scarier than what you do, and he cleverly builds up the suspense in several frightening sequences. The film relies more on atmosphere and suggestion than gore or violence. There are moments where the camera lingers on a dark hallway or an empty room, allowing the characters (and viewers) to wonder what might be lurking just outside the frame.
The film makes excellent use of its isolated setting. The house is dark, uncomfortable, and full of corners where you really don’t want to look too closely. There’s a definite Gothic horror vibe, combined with the sort of creepy supernatural storytelling you might find in a fright film from another era. The cast is excellent, particularly Carolyn Bracken, who plays both Dani and Darcy. The two characters are very different, and she does a terrific job making them truly distinct. Darcy is particularly memorable, with Bracken giving her a combination of vulnerability, determination, and confidence. Gwilym Lee is very good as Ted, a character who becomes increasingly suspicious as the story unfolds, while Steve Wall and Caroline Menton provide strong support.
Oddity is a bit of a slow burn, but the film will reward patient viewers who stick with it. There are several pieces of important information that are gradually revealed, and the movie keeps you guessing about which characters can be trusted, and what really happened to Dani. It’s not simply a haunted-house movie, although it certainly has elements of that genre. There’s also a genuine mystery at the center of the story. The supernatural elements of the film are deftly woven into that mystery rather than simply being there for decoration.
This movie isn't for those looking for nonstop action and wild set pieces. Oddity is an atmospheric film that takes its time building tension. This movie isn't interested in shocking you every five minutes. There are some genuinely eerie images here, and a couple of sequences will likely remain with you after the film is over. If you’re a fan of old-fashioned ghost stories, haunted-house movies, or horror films that rely on suspense rather than excessive gore, Oddity is well worth checking out. Here's a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLNDvnv8B3A.
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