Oddity: A Chilling Supernatural Thriller That Defies Expectations

Winner of the Midnight Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival and the recipient of ecstatic reviews, Oddity, the genuinely frightening sophomore feature by Irish writer/director Damian McCarthy, has now landed on streaming platforms Shudder and AMC+. Set largely in the same converted barn in County Cork that housed the sets of McCarthy's creepy 2020 debut Caveat, this film works wonders with a small budget and a conventional narrative, using time shifts and sublimely crafted suspense sequences to rattle viewers.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Oddity: A Supernatural Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat

A Haunting Premise: Dani's Untimely Demise and Darcy's Arrival

The film begins with the murder of Dani (Carolyn Bracken) as she renovates a house, then jumps to a year later, when Darcy (Bracken again) arrives uninvited to stay with her dead sister's husband, Ted (Gwilym Lee), and his new girlfriend, Yana (Caroline Menton). Darcy is blind but claims to see what others can't through psychic means, and has brought with her a traveling companion in the form of a large wooden man who sits with arms spread out and mouth stretched open in a silent scream.

Unraveling the Secrets: A Slow-Burning Mystery

The slowly revealed secrets behind Dani's death likely won't shock viewers, but the expert scares most certainly will. McCarthy needs only space and movement, blocking and cutting, to turn the screw – and some truly ominous sound design. Sitting in the middle of all this tension, unnerving in its stillness and quiet judgment, is that wooden figure. It's a triumph of design, offering a creepy twist on such classic monsters as living dolls, the mummy and, in particular, the golem of Jewish folklore, a large clay figure that can be brought to life to do its creator's bidding.

Crafting Suspense: McCarthy's Masterful Storytelling

The film's ability to create a sense of unease and dread is truly remarkable. McCarthy's use of time shifts and subtle visual cues keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, constantly questioning the nature of reality and the true motivations of the characters. The slow-burning mystery at the heart of the film is expertly woven, with each new revelation adding to the overall sense of tension and foreboding.

The Wooden Figure: A Haunting Presence

The wooden figure that accompanies Darcy is a truly unsettling presence, its silent, unmoving form serving as a constant reminder of the supernatural forces at work. The way the film uses this enigmatic figure to heighten the sense of mystery and dread is a testament to McCarthy's skill as a filmmaker. The creature's connection to the golem of Jewish folklore adds an intriguing layer of cultural and mythological depth to the story.

Exploring the Themes of Grief and the Supernatural

Beneath the surface-level thrills, Oddity delves into deeper themes of grief, loss, and the blurring of the line between the natural and supernatural worlds. The film's exploration of Darcy's psychic abilities and her connection to the wooden figure raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of the mind to shape our perceptions of the world around us.

A Triumph of Indie Horror Filmmaking

Oddity is a testament to the power of independent horror filmmaking. With its small budget and unconventional narrative structure, the film manages to create a sense of dread and unease that is often lacking in bigger-budget productions. McCarthy's skill as a director is on full display, as he uses the limited resources at his disposal to craft a truly unsettling and memorable cinematic experience.Oddity is available on AMC+ and Shudder from September 27. For more scares, be sure to check out the upcoming horror movies that are sure to keep you up at night.