REVIEW: ‘Oddity’ Will Make You Think Twice

Receiving a special gift from family often carries profound significance beyond its surface presentation. Objects possess an inherent power, whether acknowledged or not – they carry stories, and the emotions attached to them can endure. In Oddity, a widowed husband receives a gift from his late wife’s sister following her tragic passing. However, the object in question – a life-size wooden man – is far more than meets the eye.

Oddity is the brainchild of writer/director Damian Mc Carthy (Caveat) and stars Gwilym Lee, Carolyn Bracken, Caroline Menton, Steve Wall, and Tadhg Murphy. The film revolves around the tragic murder of Ted’s wife, Dani, shortly after the couple moves into their new home. Nearly a year after Dani’s death, Ted encounters Dani’s blind twin sister, Darcy, at her oddity shop, leading to an unintentional invitation for dinner at his home with his new girlfriend, Yana.

To Ted’s surprise and Yana’s dismay, Darcy arrives at their house for a short stay with a gift. Despite Ted’s reluctance, citing work commitments and Yana’s plans, Darcy eventually convinces Ted to let her stay. Before Ted leaves for work, Darcy presents him with a large chest containing a wooden man inside. Having lost her car keys, Yana resigns to staying home. While Darcy naps, Yana investigates the Wooden Man and unintentionally unravels the truth behind its gifting.

Nothing is reassuring about The Wooden Man’s appearance. With its gaping mouth and lifeless eyes fixed forward, its presence evokes discomfort. The film effectively conveys how The Wooden Man fills the space with its ominous aura through wide shots and close-ups of Yana interacting with it. A tense moment arises when Yana investigates the mannequin. She extracts items from its head, prompting a visceral reaction to escape my mouth. Like other horror films featuring mannequins and dolls, The Wooden Man initially appears innocuous… until he’s not…

Carolyn Bracken and Gwilym Lee deliver fantastic performances that bring this tale of terror to life. Bracken commands attention with her nuanced portrayal in her dual role as Dani and Darcy. She skillfully distinguishes between the two characters. Bracken maintains that subtle yet important connection of sisters who are both interested in the paranormal while conveying distinct differences through her body language and facial expressions. Dani exudes a lightness, whereas Darcy carries a weightiness and a subdued yet palpable fierceness. Despite her blindness, Darcy’s independence shines through, offering a unique strength that’s often overlooked.

In his role as Ted Timmis, the widowed husband of Dani, Gwilym Lee delivers a stoic performance. Ted, who works overnight shifts at a psychiatric hospital, grapples with Dani’s murder. Particularly since he wasn’t home when it took place. Despite facing such a significant loss, Ted appears remarkably cool, calm, and collected. He’s already initiated a new relationship with Yana, his colleague, mere months after Dani’s passing. While this may raise suspicions, it’s not entirely surprising. A successful and attractive man like Ted would seek solace in the company of another woman, regardless of optics.

Rounding out the rest of the cast is Caroline Menton, Ted’s new girlfriend, Yana, who portrays a closed-off and somewhat unlikable character. Steve Wall takes on the role of Ivan, a hospital staff member who works closely with Ted and exudes an unsettling demeanor that only adds to the film’s tension. Additionally, Tadhg Murphy portrays Olin Boole, a patient at Ted’s hospital who may be responsible for Dani’s death.

Oddity excels brilliantly in its handling of tension. With subtle shifts in energy within the scenes, Mc Carthy skillfully transforms once-welcoming spaces into chilling environments filled with dread. The film refrains from relying on elaborate special effects to deliver scares, instead placing The Wooden Man at the heart of the uneasiness.

Just as he did with his first feature, Caveat, Mc Carthy once again elicits unease from his audience. Every aspect of the film feels meticulously planned, ensuring his viewers are always on the edge of their seats. Additionally, Mc Carthy’s manipulation of light and darkness adds another layer to an already unsettling atmosphere, allowing the audience to use their imagination about whatever horrors are just beyond the darkness.

Due to familiarity surrounding horror tropes, the narrative is easily pieced together before certain moments occur. Because of how much potential Mc Carthy bakes into Oddity, this predictability proves more disappointing than not. However, despite the predictable nature of the ending, there is a surprising final moment reminiscent of an earlier call-back. While I wish Oddity had a tighter narrative, I also see the potential for Mc Carthy to explore the origins of The Wooden Man in a prequel.

Oddity stands out as a diamond in the rough for horror fans. Look no further if you’ve been yearning for a film that genuinely instills fear, compelling you to reach for the light switch for a fleeting sense of solace. Oddity will make you think twice about what can be attached to an object and how our past sins can return when we least expect it.

Oddity screened as a part of the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival, and will be released by Shudder Summer 2024.