Director Damian McCarthy made his first low-budget horror movie Caveat in 2020 which got many great reviews even if it was not widely distributed.
Now his second feature Oddity is getting a Blu-ray release by Shudder and I can honestly say, it is one of the best horror films I have seen in a very long time.
A psychic medium attempts to uncover the truth behind her twin sister’s murder at the site of the crime. But things are not as simple as they seem as she starts to uncover the real story using her special powers and with the help of a strange large wooden figure inherited from her mother.
While the story is straightforward the way it is told and unravels is done brilliantly by excellent acting, direction and editing.
Not many films can be called scary, at least by me as I have seen so many over the years that you just can tell when things are going to happen, but this film brings in the tension very early on and constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat.
It’s what you don’t see and what you think may be happening that keeps you mesmerised and to give any more plot away would spoil it, this is a film best seen without any clues as to what it is about.
While there are a few jump scares they are done in such a way as to be unpredictable. There are some gory scenes but these are kept to a minimum and add to the shock value.
The performances are all good and the house, as well as the creepy large wooden figure, makes it very atmospheric and scary.
Old-school suspenseful supernatural thrillers are hard to find these days and it is refreshing to know that great directors and writers like Damian McCarthy are making superb films such as this one.
The Blu-ray has been released by Shudder and it has a solid transfer with even the dark scenes being comprehensible with no problems. The subtle soundtrack adds a lot to the atmosphere.
Extras on the Blu-ray include a short behind-the-scenes feature, a storyboard to screen and an image gallery and trailer.
Do yourself a favour and seek out this horror film, one of the best in a very long time.
FILM – 8 PICTURE – 8 AUDIO – 8.5 EXTRAS – 4
