The first 11 minutes of ODDITY are a masterclass on setting up a simple, clever horror concept.
We meet Dani, wife of a Dr. Ted Timmins (Gwilym Lee from "Bohemian Rhapsody"). While he's working the night shift at a psych hospital, one of his released patients appears at the door of their new castle-like estate in the Irish countryside.
He stands at the door, warning Dani that someone else has entered the house when she turned her back. He encourages her to call the police and offers to come in and help her look for the intruder.
Then......
Flashing forward, we meet her twin sister, blind medium Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) who is determined to find out who killed Dani that night.
Ted now lives in the estate with his new girlfriend Yana (Caroline Menton).
ODDITY quietly piles up intriguing puzzle pieces.
A camera has been set up to capture possible supernatural episodes, shooting an image every 10 seconds or so.
The Timms' home seems to have some fascinating hot spots, like the Freeling house in "Poltergeist".
A wooden chest sits ominously in a corner, protecting its contents.
The mental patients and staff at Dr. Timmins hospital offer up warnings and suspects.
If you lose your keys around this lot, start running immediately.
I loved the way that Writer/Director Damian McCarthy moves the contents of the wooden crate, an ancient wooden man, around the set.
I can tell you that I personally would not interact with that thing the way these folks do. A life-size wooden man with holes in the top of his head like a bowling ball and a big gaping mouth? Yeah, I'll pass. I sure as hell wouldn't.....well, I'll let you see for yourself.....
The camera seems to always capture things just on the fringes that creep up and creep out.
The pictures on that camera are every bit as big a jump scare as the first view of the Aliens on TV in "Signs".
In the second half, music+sudden image= BOOM. Got me good. At least 4 times, you bastards....
Tadhg Murphy (The Northman) is excellent as Olin Boole, that man at the door who warned Dani during the film's opening. He's an interesting presence that keeps you guessing.
The final 30 minutes is really enjoyable if you love this sort of thing, and I do!
Writer/Director Damien McCarthy (Caveat) doesn't go for the cheap jump scare approach, although he uses those judiciously & well. He creates real tension between these characters. Darcy is one of the most resourceful blind women on film since Audrey Hepburn battled Alan Arkin in "Wait Until Dark".
No bad deed goes unpunished, in bloody fashion.
ODDITY scares up an appreciate B.
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