2024 has been a surprisingly rich and diverse year for horror movies. We’re only in July yet there have already been strong entries into nearly every possible horror movie sub-genre. Writer-director Damian Mc Carthy adds another gem to this year’s catalog with “Oddity”, a spooky and atmospheric Irish chiller that builds some genuine suspense while keeping us guessing right up to its final frame.

“Oddity” is a cunningly crafted indie feature that adds a supernatural spin to a surprising straightforward murder mystery. As compelling as it is disquieting, Mc Carthy’s story is one of human wickedness and paranormal retribution. His direction is shrewd and methodical, often embracing elements of the horror genre but never held captive by them. That’s a big reason why “Oddity” stands out as unique despite its familiar dressings.

The movie is anchored by a brilliant dual performance from Carolyn Bracken. She plays Dani Timmis, the wife of psychiatrist Ted Timmis (Gwilym Lee). The couple recently invested in an old country house which they are in the process of remodeling. While Ted works the night shift at an area asylum, Dani decides to spend the weekend working on and enjoying their new home.

Dani is startled late one night by her husband’s former patient, Olin Boole (Tadhg Murphy). He appears at her door frantically claiming someone has slipped into her house while she wasn’t looking. A frightened Dani is confronted with a critical choice. Does she believe the man outside her door or does she stay locked in her house until Ted can get home? Her decision proves to have heavy consequences as she is violently murdered.

A year later we’re introduced to Dani’s blind and eccentric sister, Darcy (also played by Bracken). She owns and operates a small shop that sells oddities of all kinds, many of which she claims are cursed. She also claims to be psychic which keeps Ted at arms length. Meanwhile Ted has a new girlfriend, a co-worker named Yana (Caroline Menton) who just recently moved in with him. They’re caught by surprise when Darcy shows up unannounced, determined to stay the night. And that’s when things get really uneasy.

While Ted is off working his night shift, Yana is forced to stay at the house with the suddenly more hostile Darcy. To make things even eerier, Darcy brought Ted and Yana a present – a ghoulishly life-sized wooden mannequin from her shop, marked by its uncomfortable frozen scream and five finger-sized holes drilled in the top of its head. What’s the mystery of the wooden man? Is its agonized face telling a haunting story of pain? Is the carved creation housing something malevolent? Or does it represent something else entirely?

With his pieces in place, Mc Carthy begins playing with our minds by patiently revealing truths that were hidden right in front of our eyes. At the same time he does a good job ratcheting up the dread, often by something as a simple as a static shot of a door or through his clever use of lighting, shadows, and deafening silence. As you watch “Oddity” you’ll notice there’s a simplicity to Mc Carthy’s approach yet he is remarkably sure-handed. That, along with some pitch-perfect performances, helps make this another stand-out chiller from 2024. “Oddity” is now playing in select theaters.

VERDICT – 4 STARS