[SXSW 2024] ODDITY -- A Well-Crafted Scarefest

Review by Jonathan Berk

The midnight movie section of any film festival is often a cherished experience for horror fans. Both horror and comedy benefit from a packed house, and if a movie connects with the audience, the communal experience is elevated. Writer and director Damian McCarthy's film Oddity got the packed house to jump, laugh, and gasp multiple times. It's a great example of a film that knows where it came from yet feels fresh and memorable. 

Oddity opens with Carolyn Bracken (You Are Not My Mother and The Gone) working on renovations at her giant home. She tells her husband, played by Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody and The Tourist), that she'll be there working all night. Things get scary before the film cuts to a shot where we meet her blind twin sister (also played by Bracken) and learn that night's events did not go well. 

Bracken is remarkable in this dual performance. The costuming benefits the two characters, and the script format allows her to develop both characters to be distinct. The shop where the twin works is essentially an antique store specializing in "oddities." When we first meet her, she warns the person who entered the shop not to steal. She states that every item in the store is cursed, but curses end at the time of purchase. It's one of many organically funny lines that convey some of her character.

Everyone in the cast delivers equally well. Lee is excellent. Tadhg Murphy, Caroline Menton, and Steve Wall are the other actors who get more than just a few flashes on screen. Each brings something to the story and contributes to the overall success of this horror film. Menton and Bracken have one of the best exchanges in the film, demonstrating how well-written and focused the film truly is.  

McCarthy's script works wonderfully. The film has a blend of genres, with horror at the center. A whodunnit element of the film keeps the audience on their toes. The set design and visual effects lend themselves to building the tension. He establishes the possibility of the supernatural and how various characters feel about the idea early on, helping pull the audience into the world the characters inhabit. The characters feel like real people, so when humor is injected into the tense moments, it feels like people trying to defeat an uncomfortable situation. There is no wasted space, and the set-ups truly pay off. 

Oddity was a total blast and a prime example that a film can use established tropes and still feel original. There is no question that McCarthy is a student of the genre, but his movie shows that he's got a clear voice. There is evidence on the screen in this movie that everyone involved is working to deliver a fun thrill ride. 

Oddity is screening at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which runs March 8-16 in Austin, TX.

Rating: 4/5