Oddity delivers a psychological horror that explores how grief can manifest in disturbing ways

The horror genre thrives on the unknown and those dark corners of the human psyche where fear, grief, and guilt simmer in a cauldron of dread. Damian McCarthy’s Oddity gives us a sip of this from a wooden spoon. It’s a frightening taste of horror that lingers on the mind’s tongue long after the credits roll.

Set against the backdrop of rural Ireland, the film tells the story of Darcy Odello, a blind clairvoyant who is still grieving from the brutal murder of her twin sister, Dani. With its moody tension, centered character, and a story that keeps you guessing, Oddity is a great addition to the horror genre.

The film opens with a disturbing sequence where Dani, the wife of psychiatrist Ted Timmis, is murdered in their new country house. The crime is initially pinned on Olin Boole, one of Ted’s former patients, who had visited Dani that evening with a warning about a mysterious stranger. Fast forward a year, and we find ourselves in the life of Darcy, Dani’s twin sister.

Darcy, a blind medium with psychic abilities, has been struggling to come to terms with her sister’s death. Dani’s murder remains unresolved, and Darcy is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means turning to the supernatural.

The arrival of a strange wooden mannequin, delivered from Darcy’s cabinet of curiosities to Ted’s country house, sets the stage for the film’s descent into horror. The mannequin is conduit, a catalyst that brings buried secrets and guilt to the surface.

As Darcy interacts with Ted and his new girlfriend, Yana, the tension escalates. Yana’s growing unease around the mannequin, which seems to move on its own, adds to the eeriness. The mannequin, with its hidden compartments filled with strange objects like photographs, hair, a vial of blood. It becomes a central part in Darcy’s quest for the truth.

McCarthy delivered a film that explores how grief can manifest in disturbing ways. With themes of guilt and grief, Oddity, at its core, is a revenge horror movie. On the surface, Darcy’s journey is about solving her sister’s murder, but beneath it lies the journey of confronting the ghosts of the past, both literal and metaphorical. Darcy’s blindness is symbolic of her emotional state; she’s stumbling through a world masked in darkness, seeking light in the form of closure and justice.

Carolyn Bracken as both Dani and Darcy is a spell of incredible acting. The dual role allows Bracken to explore two sides of the same coin, Dani, the victim, and Darcy, the survivor. Her portrayal of Darcy is especially powerful; despite her blindness, she’s driven by an inner strength that keeps her going even when the odds are stacked against her.

Gwilym Lee, as Ted Timmis, offers a performance that keeps you guessing. Ted is shrouded in ambiguity. He’s charming on the surface, but there’s a trace of menace that becomes more apparent as Ted’s descend into paranoia and guilt. As the film progresses, Ted’s façade begins to crack, revealing the true extent of his involvement in Dani’s murder.

The supporting cast, including Tadhg Murphy as Olin Boole and Caroline Menton as Yana, also delivered strong performances. Murphy’s Olin is a tragic figure who’s wrongfully accused and ultimately a victim of circumstances beyond his control. Yana, on the other hand, serves as a hindrance to Darcy; her fear of the unknown contrasts sharply with Darcy’s determination to face it head-on.

Oddity is a slow-burn horror film that relies more on atmosphere and tension than the typical jump scares. McCarthy’s use of the rural Irish setting adds to the film’s eerie tone. The country house, with its creaking floors and dark corners, becomes a character in its own right. It’s an isolated, claustrophobic space where secrets fester and the past refuses to stay buried.

A modern twist on a visually classic horror style, cinematographer Kieran Fitzgerald took the bleak beauty of the Irish landscape and contrasted it with the oppressive atmosphere inside the house. McCarthy’s decision to shoot the film in the same converted barn in West Cork as his previous work, Caveat, creates a sense of continuity between his films.

The wooden mannequin is a horror icon in the making. Unlike the diminutive dolls of classic horror films like Child’s Play and the more recent Annabelle, this mannequin is life-sized—a towering, menacing presence that dominates every scene it’s in. McCarthy’s inspiration from old ‘doll comes to life’ films is evident, but he takes it a step further by making the mannequin more imposing and human-like.

The mannequin, created by effects artist Paul McDonnell, is unsettling. The hollow head, filled with strange objects, adds to its mystique. As the mannequin begins to move on its own, it becomes clear that it’s more than just a creepy prop, it’s a physical manifestation of Darcy’s grief.

Oddity is a meditation on grief, guilt, and the lengths we’ll go to for justice. However, if you’re a fan of fast-paced horror, the film’s slow burn won’t appeal to you. For those who appreciate atmosphere and psychological tension, Oddity delivers a cauldron full of them.

Darcy’s journey may have reached its conclusion, but the ghosts she uncovered will linger in your mind long after you’ve left the theater. Oddity is an exploration of the supernatural and the very real emotions that drive us to confront the unknown.

Oddity is available on Apple TV, Amazon Video and Microsoft Store.