Film Review: Oddity (2024)
I’d heard whispers about Oddity in horror circles—claims that it was one of the year’s most unsettling films. Naturally, I was intrigued: a horror movie that didn’t seem to revolve around teens trapped in yet another haunted cabin or a couple that forgot to read Zillow’s warning about “potential demonic activity”! Instead, what I got was a chilling, slow-burn descent into grief, guilt, and supernatural revenge that left me staring at the wall for an uncomfortable amount of time after the credits rolled.
“Not all curiosities are harmless.”
The setup is a doozy: Dani Odello-Timmis is a blind medium and curio shopkeeper grieving the sudden murder of her twin sister, Darcy. But this isn’t a routine murder mystery or ghost story, and events take a dark turn when a life-sized wooden mannequin from Dani’s collection becomes the film’s sinister centerpiece, playing a key role in uncovering the truth behind Darcy’s murder. Ghost story? Yep. Revenge flick? Sure. Whodunnit? Oh, you better believe it. Somehow, Oddity balances all these elements without feeling like a mess—though it isn’t afraid to introduce a bit of effective chaos to keep the viewer guessing.
The story dives deep into the complexities of grief and guilt while simultaneously creeping you out with eerie totems, ghostly whispers, and secrets that gnaw their way to the surface. It’s like the filmmakers dumped their worst nightmares into a blender and hit “puree.”
“In the darkness, the past finds its way home.”
If Oddity were a car, Carolyn Bracken is the driver flooring it through foggy, haunted backroads. She’s phenomenal as both Dani and Darcy—vulnerable, fierce, and capable of anchoring this wildly surreal story with a performance that feels raw and believable. While other elements of the film are uniformly good, her performance is the standout, and really pushes the film toward achieving its goals.
The supporting cast is solid as well: Gwilym Lee plays Dani’s husband, Ted, a guy who’s clearly wrestling with how to help his wife without getting swallowed whole by her strange, esoteric world. Meanwhile, Tadhg Murphy as Olin Boole exudes “I know too much” energy, adding to the film’s growing sense of dread. The Irish countryside itself becomes a character, thanks to cinematography that somehow makes green hills and rocky coastlines look like they’re hiding secrets.
What lingers most, however, is the emotional weight. Dani’s grief is suffocating, a shadow on every scene. Her relentless pursuit of revenge, though understandable, makes her a complex protagonist—and not always a sympathetic one. At one point, she takes the life of an innocent man in her dark quest, a choice that forces the audience to question her morality. It’s unsettling to root for someone so consumed by pain that they’re willing to cross ethical lines. The film also doesn’t shy away from this discomfort, making it a story that sticks with you long after it’s over.
“Every relic has its reckoning.”
Let’s talk scares. Oddity builds a suffocating tension, layering dread like a master chef makes tiramisu (but, you know, terrifying). And the poppet? Don’t even get me started. That thing radiates menace without even moving, proving that practical effects still reign supreme when done right.
The poppet—a life-sized wooden mannequin—is more than just a creepy relic. It’s the conduit for Dani’s dark magic, a tool she uses to channel her grief into supernatural revenge. Its presence is almost a character in itself, silently watching as events spiral out of control. it serves as a haunting symbol of how Dani’s pain has been weaponized, and every scene it’s in hums with a sense of impending doom. Few horror props in recent memory have managed to evoke such visceral unease.
What really sets the horror apart here is how it intertwines with the emotional weight of the story. Sure, the ghostly whispers and eerie relics are spooky, but the real fear comes from the film’s exploration of how grief warps our perceptions—and what happens when we refuse to let go of the past.
“Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.”
For all the praise I’m glad to give it, Oddity has a few flaws. The middle act drags a bit, being decidedly less nightmarish than the excellent setup and conclusion, and there are a few subplots that feel like afterthoughts.
But these gripes are minor. This film sticks with you, crawling under your skin in a way that few horror movies manage these days. It’s unsettling, emotional, and refuses to hand out easy answers. If you’re looking for a film that dives headfirst into the darkness—both literal and emotional—Oddity is worth your time. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself side-eyeing every antique store mannequin from now on.
Score: 8.0
Strengths
A unique, haunting premise blending grief, guilt, and the supernatural
Carolyn Bracken’s tour-de-force performance as Dani and Darcy
Atmosphere rich with tension, where the confined spaces of an isolated house amplify the feeling of dread
Weaknesses
The middle act? A little slow—like the filmmakers collectively stopped for a pint and forgot to pick up the pace
A few undercooked subplots that could’ve added even more depth