Oddity (2024) Review: "Interesting Start... Routine End"

Director: Damian Mc Carthy
Starring: Carolyn Bracken, Gwilym Lee, Tadhg Murphy, Caroline Menton
Producers: Justin Hyne, Patrick McCarroll
Production House: Shudder, Keeper Pictures Limited
Music Director: David Turpin
Cinematography: Kieran Fitzgerald
Editor: Tony Kearns
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Language: English
Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes

Plot:
After Dani is brutally murdered, her blind occultist twin sister, Darcy, seeks revenge on those responsible using inherited haunted items as her tools.

Performances:

Carolyn Bracken:
As Darcy Odello, the blind occultist twin, Carolyn Bracken delivers a compelling performance, convincingly portraying both vulnerability and determination.

Gwilym Lee:
As Ted Timmis, Lee's performance as the doctor is solid, carrying his role with a believable sense of purpose.

Caroline Menton:
Portraying the doctor's girlfriend, Menton is a standout, delivering a powerful performance that brings depth and attitude to her character.

Tadhg Murphy:
As Olin Boole, the murderer, Murphy effectively conveys the seriousness and menace required for the role, adding a chilling edge to the film.

Technical Aspects:

Direction:
Damian Mc Carthy crafts a film that blends a routine horror plot with psychic elements. While this unique approach brings some new thrills, the overall narrative remains predictable, which keeps the movie from reaching its full potential.

Cinematography:
Kieran Fitzgerald’s cinematography is impressive, utilizing creative camera work that heightens the tension and keeps the audience engaged.

Music Director:
David Turpin’s re-recording efforts are notable, particularly with fresh sounds that enhance the horror elements, adding a visceral impact to several key scenes.

Editor:
Tony Kearns' editing is sharp, maintaining the film’s suspense with well-timed cuts that keep the audience hooked.

Production Values:
The production values are solid, effectively supporting the film's eerie atmosphere and horror elements.

Strengths:

• Psychic concept
• Direction
• Editing

Weaknesses:

• Routine plot
• Less Horror

My Personal Take On Cinema:
‘Oddity’ is an okayish movie that starts with an intriguing psychic element but ends up with a routine plot. The direction keeps the film engaging, and the cinematography is visually appealing. Caroline Menton, as the doctor's girlfriend, delivers a standout performance. Despite these strengths, the predictability in the storyline might disappoint some viewers. It’s worth a one-time watch for its interesting start, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking by the end.

Rating: 2.5/5