Introducing a unique murder mystery. Dani (Carolyn Bracken) is renovating her large, old home with her husband, Ted (Gwilym Lee). As Dani works on the renovations and their home, Ted works full-time as a doctor. While working, Dani often worries about her twin sister Darcy, who is experiencing various health complications. As a result, Dani feels the need to regularly check up on her sister by phone, ensuring she is continually receiving the necessary support and medical attention.
One night, as Dani enters her home, a stranger urgently knocks at her door and informs her that someone has just entered her house and she’s in danger. The stranger offers to help Dani if she lets him inside the home and promises to scare the stranger off. Dani is torn and unsure of what to do. What if the stranger is lying? What if he’s telling the truth and genuinely wants to help?
Sadly, the evening ends with Dani being brutally murdered. A year later, Ted visits Darcy (also played by Carolyn Bracken), Dani’s twin sister, while she’s working in her antique store. Darcy is blind but can touch objects and tap into the past, gaining secret details and revealing unique psychic abilities. She believes each object in her store is cursed until someone pays for it, and she removes the curse herself. After some small talk, Ted gives Darcy a small object related to Dani’s killer, and when she touches it, she sees a mysterious masked figure. Ted also mentions his new girlfriend, Yana (Caroline Menton), a travelling pharmaceutical rep. Naturally, Darcy’s vision and hearing of Ted’s latest love interest only a year after her sister’s death raises new suspicions about Dani’s murder. Taking matters into her own hands, she unexpectedly visits Ted’s home to ask more questions about Dani’s death and finds his new girlfriend there. Secretly, Darcy has also arranged a special delivery at Ted’s house, which she plans to use to find out the truth about Dani’s killer.
For those unaware, Oddity was directed and written by Damian Mc Carthy. His previous work includes Caveat, which I thoroughly enjoyed for its innovative horror concepts. Once again, Mc Carthy introduces a fresh idea and a storyline that goes beyond a simple creepy mystery. Oddity is a tense film with numerous gripping, spooky, and frightening moments. If anything, Mc Carthy’s work in Oddity surpasses his previous work.
The horror aspect is prominent in this film. There is much discussion of violent murders and a strong focus on ghosts. The house where Ted lives is old and has a creepy atmosphere. In addition to the overall ambience, we shouldn’t forget about Darcy, a blind psychic who brings many surprising moments to the screen. Her unsettling and unpredictable presence contributes to the core mystery.
The horror plot is incredibly refreshing, and the story is full of unexpected twists that lead to a satisfying conclusion. The storyline keeps the audience engaged and on their toes. I was never bored and was entirely captivated by the compelling tale. The special effects regarding blood and gore are also enjoyable and perfect. The performances are mostly brilliant, with Carolyn Bracken standing out for her portrayal of twin sisters Dani and Darcy. She convincingly plays twins distinctly different in their speech, appearance, costumes, and mannerisms. However, Gwilym Lee’s performance as Ted and Caroline Menton’s as Yana were less enjoyable and, at times, less believable due to some cheesy line deliveries or cliche responses.
Overall, if you’re a fan of horror films like Caveat or writer and director Damian Mc Carthy, you’ll appreciate this new, gripping, tense mystery. The events in this film are entirely unpredictable, with shocking twists that kept me on edge. Oddity feels new and original, introducing fresh concepts for horror enthusiasts, including haunted houses, ghosts, and realistic depictions of blood and gore. The lead actress performs outstandingly as twin sisters, creating two distinct and believable characters. The less you know about Oddity before watching it, the better.
8.3/10
20th August 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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