Atmospheric Horror Film Elicits Bone-Chilling Dread

A patient from the asylum where your husband works shows up at your house in the middle of the night, warning that a man slipped inside during a few moments when you stepped out to retrieve something from your car. The patient tells you that your front door was left wide open, making it an invitation for anyone to enter. He asks to come inside to help defend you against the possible intruder. However, you don’t see anyone else inside. Do you let this stranger in, or take your chances that he’s either mistaken or trying to deceive you?

That’s the dilemma Dani (Carolyn Bracken) faces in the opening scene of *Oddity*, a movie that consistently draws horror from a simple premise. As a woman, Dani’s problem is particularly haunting. What would I do if I were in that situation? I really don’t know. Unfortunately for Dani, her decision results in her murder, supposedly at the hands of the patient, Olin Boole (Tadhg Murphy), who is later found horrifically murdered at the hospital.

Dani’s sister Darcy (also played by Bracken in a phenomenal dual performance), a blind psychic who runs an oddities shop, is convinced that Olin didn’t kill her sister. Determined to uncover the truth, she visits the house where Dani died to conduct her own investigation into her death. This visit annoys Dani’s widowed husband Dr. Ted Timmis (Gwilym Lee), who has already moved on with a new girlfriend, Yana (Caroline Menton). Darcy brings with her an eerie wooden mannequin with a gaping mouth, adding another layer of creepiness to her quest.

*Oddity* is crafted by writer and director Damian Mc Carthy, known for his previous film *Caveat*, which featured an equally freaky toy bunny. In *Oddity*, Mc Carthy effectively combines folkloric horror with the home invasion genre, resulting in a film that successfully delivers on its terrifying premise with precision.

Mc Carthy’s strength lies in his ability to build suspense, creating one of the most dread-inducing horrors seen this year. The film elicits full-body chills at various moments and includes a few genuinely shocking jump scares. In terms of ambiance, the film is comparable to Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series *The Haunting of Hill House*, which also utilized its setting to great effect.

*Oddity* induces a breath-stealing intensity that frays nerves and keeps viewers riveted. By the time the film ends, you might find crescent moon marks embedded in your cheek from gripping your face in horror.

Whether you’ve seen *Caveat* or not, *Oddity* is a must-watch. Although it is a smaller release from IFC Films and Shudder, it deserves attention. It’s one of the most acclaimed horror movies of the year for good reason.

The film is currently available to rent or buy on demand. *Oddity* will start streaming on Shudder next Friday, September 27.

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