User reviews

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.

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.

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!

A terrific and supremely creepy, scary, and entertaining morality tale reminiscent of horror comics from the 70's or from horror anthologies like "Creepshow". Easily the best horror movie I've seen so far this year.

I don't want to say too much about the plot, but the craft in making this movie is just outstanding - it gave me the scariest and creepiest sequence I've seen in a long time, that literally gave me chills and made the hairs on my arms stand up. I can't remember the last time a movie scared me like this (certainly "Longlegs" didn't come close).

What makes the movie so effective is that each scene is set up with seemingly the single goal of making us in the audience be tense and on the lookout for things that may appear at the edges of the frame or in the background, which when done well eventually leaves us in a state of constant fear - and then it takes that and adds a horror element that is FRONT and CENTER, but unpredictable and we don't know what that element is going to do, or how and when it will strike. Add those two techniques up, and you've got a helluva horror movie. There's literally only ONE scene that rang a little false, the only thing keeping it from being a 10 for me.

There's such a fine line between horrific and ridiculous when it comes to really effective monster movies, and this one stays on the right side, which definitely wasn't an easy thing to pull off. Absolutely brilliant directing.

It's always tricky to go into a movie with high expectations, so I don't want to raise them. But "Oddity" is a true gem of a horror movie, and one of the best movies of the year of ANY kind, period.

I love seeing a horror film without knowing too much about it beforehand. I saw the trailer a couple of times, which didn't give away too much plot. But still made we want it see it.

The setting is simple... a cabin in a rural part of Ireland, which allows the filmmakers to create an eerie atmosphere for the audience, and they did a great job making me feel like I was there.

The small cast allows the characters have depth, especially Carolyn Bracken, who gives the film much of its creepy flavor.

As the plot unfolds, it starts to feel somewhat familiar... in a good way. But even though it doesn't break the mold with other films of this genre, the filmmakers and cast make it feel fresh.

If you like atmospheric slow burns, you'll appreciate this film. You'll still get a few well done jump scares... and maybe even a few laughs (in a good way).

ODDITY is officially one of my favorite horror movies of 2024. And not just on the list, like tied for first with a couple others. It has everything, crime, paranormal, psychometry, haunted items, looming dread. Fantastic acting by entire cast, visually gorgeous, extremely original, with a big dash of weirdness. Watch it alone on a rainy night. It will definitely stick with you for a few days. When people ask me what the last truly scary movie I watched was I often don't have an answer, but I do now.

Further review and thoughts on the latest episode of the What's Up Weirdo podcast, titled: Mini Baby-sode. Available on all platforms.

Even though I'm not usually a fan of horror movies, I went to a movie festival and watched Oddity. I was impressed by the quality of the scenes, the location and the chosen frames were good (and effective, because it was scary). I also liked how the actors played their role. The connection between the sisters was well presented and the husband played quite well the role of a very rational man.

The story, however, was a little bit predictable. By the end of the first half of the movie I already assumed who the murderer was and what was going to happen next.

It is a pretty good movie to watch. :)

I'm a 34 year old woman. My favorite genre of movies is horror. I've watched hundreds of horror movies....

I actually screamed out loud in the movie theater when watching this movie. I was embarrassed. I'm 34. A grown ass woman. I knew there was a jump scare coming and I still screamed. Husband laughed at me for a second but I gave him a look and he quite real fast. (Wive's know what look I'm talking about) Anyways, I enjoyed this move quit a bit as a horror fan. I won't give any spoilers but I enjoyed that fact that there was a fine line between "was it a ghost" or "was it living"? Who knows unless you watch the movie. :)

Honestly, I've seen movies like this before. It's minimalistic, mostly driven by dialogue, and shrouded in vagueness. While good dialogue is crucial for setting up a strong film, there has to be a payoff and in this case, it just doesn't happen.

What frustrates me most is how obvious it is that something odd is going on with the reviews and ratings for this movie.

The movie is 'okay,' but it's baffling to see it receive such over the top praise, like being called the 'best horror movie of the year,' along with a flood of 10/10 ratings. It just sets extremely high expectations thinking, "Wow, a horror movie finally getting the acclaim it deserves?!"

Then you watch it, and instead of being thrilled, you're just left angry because it didn't deliver at all.

I probably would've appreciated the film more if the reviews hadn't been so... misleading. Now, I feel compelled to give it a lower rating to help balance things out, so others don't go in with the wrong expectations.

Again, it's not a bad movie, but it also isn't a great one.

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.

I recently watched the Irish film 🇮🇪 Oddity (2024) in theaters. The storyline follows a doctor who loses his wife in a strange home invasion. Five years later, the doctor has a new girlfriend who stays in the same house. She starts to get weirded out by strange events around the house. When she finally decides to move out, she discovers it won't be as easy as she hoped...

This film is written and directed by Damian Mc Carthy (Caveat) and stars Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody), Carolyn Bracken (The Quiet Girl), Caroline Menton, Tadhg Murphy (Boy Eats Girl), and Steve Wall (Dune: Part Two).

This is a unique addition to the horror genre, with elements that remind me of both Pumpkinhead and The Conjuring. The atmosphere is perfectly created, and I loved the old cobblestone house, camera angles, and use of lighting. The props are outstanding, and the corpses and blood splatter are solid. Unfortunately, the movie loses momentum with its kill scenes, which weren't great. The acting is uneven, with some scenes overacted, but overall, the performances are good. I really enjoyed the full-circle elements in the conclusion, though I wish they had taken everything one step further.

In conclusion, Oddity is a unique addition to the horror genre and a must-see for enthusiasts. I would score this a 7/10.

I honestly loved it a lot. I found it quite original and a nice change to your typical hollywood horror jump scare films. This has jump scares too but it wasn't at all too predictable. It's a slow film, but I love that. It leaves you questioning. The acting was okay, but the plot left you enough questions to keep you entertained until the end. I enjoyed that it didn't rely on cliché scares. It was genuinely creepy. It was a mix of both psychological thriller, supernatural and paranormal. It was complex but delivered simply and clearly. I want to watch more horror films like these. It's a breath of fresh air from the usual hollywood horror. Love love love it.

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.

Finally, a movie that has given me a scare for the first time since the Ring. The audience was jumping out of their seats at this terrifically thought out movie. The setting was so creepy and the frights and scared were perfectly planned out.

I saw this movie at a film festival and it was definitely my favourite of the night. We were told after the showing that the name 'Oddity' comes from an anagram of all the characters names put together. Just one of the genius ideas of director Damien.

As well as the creative storyline and tidbits, the scenery was beautiful and the acting was outstanding. I loved the comedic relief and audience POV provided by Caroline Menton who plays Yana. She was a comfort throughout the movie which you rarely find in horror films and played her part exceptionally. And of course, the dual character portrayal played by Carolyn Bracken was just brilliant.

10/10 would see it again!

I 'm not really one of those people who watch movies with the intent of sucking the fun and life out of a movie trying to get ahead of the movie by predicting it. I don't watch movies with the intent of trying to guess what's going to happen next or how it'll end. I'm trying to relax and unwind. Some people need to turn their brain off, shut up and watch the movie. With that said, I agree that it is predictable even with your brain turned off. The sister and her questions makes it VERY predictable. That and when she found out the killer, I was curious as to WHY this person would want her sister dead. Not to predict the movie but I really couldn't understand WHY would you be interested in doing this to this woman with no motive. Within a few minutes it clicked and I was 100% right. I wish the ending was more satisfying as far as justice but I guess justice is relative. Very eerie feel to the movie, especially the house. I was on the edge a bit which is unusual for me. In my opinion, this movie may have some elements of familiarity but it's a bit unique in its own way. There's horror and mystery. Even though we didn't spend much time building character development with Eyeball, I feel bad for him. His story was so sad. I wish we had more background into Bowling Ball Head.

This is a nicely crafted blend of story, dialogue and cinematography. Not so much for the ghostly effects but it's ok. I'd rather have a cleverly written story with so-so special effects than a triple A cgi title with no substance these days.

This feels more of a mish-mash of drama and murder mystery than horror. Some of the props do look creepy and unnerving and they work well to push through the story. Don't expect a lot of jumpscares, there's not a lot which is a good thing. It's all about the atmosphere.

All in all I can't find much faults except for the cheap-ish sfx and costumes, but that's only for a few seconds of the movie anyway. What matters here is the mystery to solve. Great popcorn movie.

Ah, Oddity. A movie that dares to ask, "What if we made a slow burn without the burn?" Directed by Damian Mc Carthy, this film is a masterclass in how to make absolutely nothing happen over the course of 90 minutes. Starring Gwilym Lee as Ted Timmis and Carolyn Bracken as Darcy, Oddity is aptly named, considering how odd it is that anyone thought this script was worth filming.

Let's start with the positives-well, Gwilym Lee and Carolyn Bracken do show up on screen. They say their lines and move about the sets, which I suppose is the minimum requirement for acting. The cinematography is also technically there; the camera captures the characters as they drift through a plot that's as exciting as watching paint dry. And the sound design ensures you can hear every tedious word of dialogue without any pesky distractions from, say, an engaging plot or compelling action.

Now, onto the real meat of this review: the negatives. Oddity is the cinematic equivalent of a lukewarm cup of coffee on a dreary Monday morning. It lulls you into a false sense of anticipation, hinting at a storyline that never actually arrives. Imagine waiting for a spark that never ignites, a crescendo that never reaches its peak. The film bills itself as a slow burn, but it's missing the crucial element-the burn. Instead, what we get is a painfully slow slog through mundane conversations and uneventful scenes that stretch on and on, seemingly without end.

Ted and Darcy meander through their lives with all the urgency of a snail on tranquilizers. The tension is non-existent, the stakes are laughably low, and the so-called twists are so telegraphed that you see them coming from a mile away. The supposed climax of the movie, which should be the moment everything comes together, is more of a gentle nudge towards the exit door, as if the film itself is apologizing for taking up your time.

In the end, Oddity leaves you wondering what you just watched and why. It's a cinematic black hole, sucking 90 minutes of your life into its void without offering anything in return. If you're looking for a film to make you feel something-anything-look elsewhere. This one's a real oddity, alright: a movie where nothing happens and you're left questioning your life choices for having watched it.

Starts of with an intriguimg confrontation, asking the viewer to question 'what woud you do?' Im the same situation. Setting and cinematography are very good. Acting for the most part is good, save a few wooden, soap-like, performances. Genuinely creepy props. Intriguing story, had me until around the hour mark, when a few charcter reveals kind of came out of nowhere. I will say the house is a great setting. I can imagine, even without the supernatural elements, it would raise the heartrate. Worth a watch, just don't buy into the 10/10 scores as you'll be left disappointed. More Jaws 2 than the the.