Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Oddity Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 5, 2024

“Oddity” is a horror movie released during a year that’s filled with spooky stories from a variety of filmmakers and their specific interests in delivering slow-burn creep to the masses. Writer/director Damian McCarthy returns to the tried and true approach of ghostly experiences and unstable people in the effort, which explores the death of a woman and the different ways her loved ones react to her sudden loss, turning to the unexplainable for answers. McCarthy gets farther than most with his understanding of screen tension, building a suspenseful reunion situation for the characters, while adding touches of the supernatural to keep the whole thing periodically surprising. “Oddity” is strong work from the helmer, who conjures mood and does well with mystery, generating an engrossing sit involving uneasy relationships and the addition of dark magic.

Dani (Carolyn Bracken) is fixing up her remote house, staying in the large dwelling alone while her husband, Dr. Ted (Gwilym Lee), works long hours at a psychiatric hospital. One evening, Dani is visited by Olin (Tadhg Murphy), a man with a glass eye who witnessed someone enter the woman’s home while she picked up something from her car, pleading with her to let him inside to identify the intruder. One year later, Ted is working past the loss of his wife, encouraging Yana (Caroline Menton), his girlfriend, to live with him in his house, though he remains stuck under heavy time commitments. Following through on a request, Ted pays a visit to Dani’s sister, Darcy (Bracken), a blind woman who runs Odello’s Oddities, a shop devoted to antiques and cursed items. This reunion inspires Darcy to visit Ted and Yana at their home, bringing a large wooden mannequin and a plan to use Olin’s glass eye to reach into the beyond and solve Dani’s murder.

There’s disorientation early on in “Oddity,” which sets up a prologue detailing Dani’s long night in her house. She’s by herself, going about her business, sleeping in a tent that’s being monitored by a camera that’s taking pictures of the area. Her sense of peace is disrupted by the arrival of Olin, an agitated man claiming someone has slipped into Dani’s house while she left the door open. Olin is concerned, requesting access to the dwelling, and Dani’s slowly warms to permission before the feature jumps to a year later. It’s a tense introduction to the world of “Oddity,” as McCarthy offers pieces of a mystery without defining the characters, playing a long game of clarity in the endeavor, which picks up again with Ted and his visit to Darcy, who collects strange objects for her shop, asking the doctor to bring something personal from Olin for inspection.

Darcy’s interest in Ted’s new living arrangement largely drives the second act of “Oddity,” as she accepts a vague invitation to visit the doctor’s house, where Yana is currently struggling to handle life in a remote area, often left alone. Domestic agitations are established, along with Darcy’s persistence, demanding to stay after showing up unannounced, bringing a large trunk containing a wooden doll. The object is bizarre and life-sized, connected to Darcy in unexpected ways, and she also remains fiercely protective of the creation, which sits at the dinner table. Yana and Darcy spend time getting to know each other, as Ted’s lover is unable to find her car keys, forcing her to stay with the blind woman and her strange ways. “Oddity” also explores behavior from Ivan (Steve Wall), a menacing orderly at Ted’s hospital who previously interacted with Olin, adding an additional level of intimidation to the story.

Oddity Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Oddity" explores a substantial amount of darkness. Frame information is preserved during these encounters. Detail is consistent, examining skin particulars on the cast, with many characters battered during the run time, highlighting strong makeup work. Woodsy mannequin textures are also intact. Household interiors are dimensional, surveying decorative additions. Distances are preserved in exteriors. Colors are clear, with cooler, stone-based hues in the household. Costuming carries more varied looks, and greenery is appreciable. Darcy's blonde hair is distinct. Compression largely holds together, finding very mild banding briefly detected.

Oddity Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't a furious listening event, but it generates a spooky mood for "Oddity." Dialogue exchanges are clear, handling accents with authority. Scoring provides creeping synth support, also exploring musical moods in the surrounds. Atmospherics are compelling but not overpowering, aiming more for aural details than intensity. Room movement is noted, sold through some separation effects. Low-end carries a decent rumble with horror happenings.

Oddity Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Behind the Scenes (4:40, HD) features interviews with writer/director Damien McCarthy, costume designer Suzanne Keogh, production designer Lauren Kelly, and actors Gwilym Lee, Caroline Menton, Carolyn Bracken, Steve Wall, and Tadhg Murphy. The interviewees briefly examine characterization and the material, also exploring the location. Very brief glimpses of BTS footage are included.

• "Storyboards to Screen" (3:18, HD) provides a picture-in-picture look at the opening scene in "Oddity," comparing artwork from writer/director Damien McCarthy with the final cut of the movie.

• Image Gallery features an extensive look at the manufacturing and use of the wooden mannequin from "Oddity."

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Oddity Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Oddity" toys with the unknown and the unexplained, helped along by strong performances and McCarthy's interest in building unsettling scenes featuring real and imagined threats. At the 70-minute mark, the feature gradually starts to sharpen focus on character interests, and the helmer successfully finds ways to deliver some payoff to the tale, as a few scenes prove that McCarthy might have a future as someone in charge of a "Mummy"-style study of revenge. "Oddity" delivers creepiness and satisfying closure, also capturing a sense of mystery as McCarthy works with deliberate pacing, but tries to keep the endeavor eventful through confrontation, questioning, and unexpected discoveries. Frights remain in play in the movie, which connects through genre formula and many inspired moments of pure filmmaking.