Oddity Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A blind psychic twin investigates her sister’s murder, only to discover her brother-in-law is a terrible decorator, possibly a worse murderer, and definitely owns a very unsettling wooden mannequin.

🍿 Oddity: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder of Dani Timmins

Dani Odello-Timmis, wife of psychiatrist Ted Timmis, is brutally murdered in their newly acquired country house. Just prior, Olin Boole, a former patient of Ted’s, attempts to warn Dani that someone else is in the house. Olin is initially believed to be the murderer, but he is later found dead himself, adding to the mystery.

Darcy’s Supernatural Investigation

One year after Dani’s death, her twin sister, Darcy Odello—a blind clairvoyant with psychometric abilities—visits Ted at the remote country house where the tragedy occurred. Darcy arrives unexpectedly, coinciding with the delivery of a large crate containing a strange, life-sized wooden mannequin from her oddities shop. She subtly begins her own investigation into Dani’s murder, sensing a deeper, more sinister truth.

Yana’s Terrifying Stay

With Ted away on his night shift at the hospital, his new girlfriend Yana is left alone with Darcy in the house. Yana quickly becomes terrified by inexplicable events, including the wooden mannequin moving on its own and glimpses of what appears to be Dani’s ghost. After discovering strange objects hidden within the mannequin and having her phone destroyed, Yana manages to find her keys and escape the house, deeply disturbed by the experience.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Darcy Odello (Carolyn Bracken): The blind clairvoyant twin sister who uses her psychometric powers to investigate her sister’s murder.
• Ted Timmis (Gwilym Lee): Dani’s psychiatrist husband and the mastermind behind her brutal murder, who later attempts to cover his tracks.
• Dani Timmins (Carolyn Bracken): Ted’s wife and Darcy’s twin sister, whose mysterious murder sets in motion the central investigation of the film.
• Yana (Caroline Menton): Ted’s new girlfriend who becomes a terrified witness to the supernatural occurrences linked to Dani’s death.
• Ivan (Steve Wall): A brutish orderly from the psychiatric hospital who serves as Ted’s accomplice in Dani’s murder.
• Olin Boole (Tadhg Murphy): A former patient of Ted’s who attempted to warn Dani before her death and was wrongly implicated in her murder.
• Wooden Man (Ivan de Wergifosse): A cursed, life-sized mannequin with powerful supernatural abilities, brought into play by Darcy to exact revenge.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Yana: “Do I look stupid?” – Said by Yana with a challenging tone during a tense verbal exchange with Darcy, who is blind.
• Darcy Timmins: “I have no idea what you look like. You sound stupid.” – Darcy’s sharp and witty retort to Yana’s question, highlighting her blindness while cuttingly dismissing Yana’s demeanor.
• Darcy Timmins: “It’s haunted by the ghost of a bellhop who died in a local hotel and kills whoever rings it.” – Darcy explains the malevolent history and power of the small call bell to Ted, setting up the film’s chilling climax.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,200,477
• Worldwide Gross: $1,850,519

💥 Oddity Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Oddity’ really got under my skin, especially that infamous wooden man! I went in with some expectations because of the buzz, and while it wasn’t a non-stop fright-fest, the atmosphere was incredibly unsettling. The way Darcy, the blind sister, navigates the house and uses her ‘gifts’ felt so unique and genuinely creepy. There’s a scene with the wooden man and the girlfriend, Yana, that had me gripping my seat, and the ending? Absolutely wild and satisfying in its own dark way. It’s a slow burn, but it definitely left a lasting impression.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of atmospheric slow-burn horror.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy supernatural mysteries and psychological thrillers.”
  • “Those who appreciate unique indie horror films with a focus on tension and dread.”
  • “Audiences looking for a horror movie with clever twists and engaging dialogue.”
  • “People interested in Irish folklore and haunted house themes.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of murder and violence.”
  • “Intense jump scares and sustained atmospheric dread.”
  • “Discussions of mental illness and asylum settings that some may find disturbing.”
  • “Brief scene involving implied cannibalism.”
  • “Unsettling imagery, particularly involving a wooden mannequin.”

Professional Reviews

• Screaming Pixels: “Oddity masterfully crafts a thick, pervasive dread through its unsettling atmosphere and inventive scares. Carolyn Bracken delivers a captivating dual performance, anchoring a narrative that cleverly blends supernatural horror with a chilling murder mystery. Director Damian Mc Carthy demonstrates a confident hand, transforming simple settings into genuinely terrifying spaces. A standout indie horror that avoids cheap tricks for lasting psychological impact.
• Cinema Digest: “While ‘Oddity’ certainly delivers on atmosphere and a few truly effective jump scares, its narrative often feels like a slow burn without a significant payoff. The intriguing premise sometimes succumbs to predictability and character motivations that stretch belief. Despite strong performances, particularly from Carolyn Bracken, the film struggles to maintain its initial grip, leaving a sense of untapped potential.
• Midnight Movie Maven: “‘Oddity’ is a breath of fresh air in the horror genre, seamlessly blending old-school ghost story vibes with a modern psychological thriller. Its unique approach to tension-building, relying on pervasive unease rather than constant jump scares, sets it apart. The eerie wooden man and the nuanced performances create a memorable and genuinely unsettling experience that will linger long after the credits roll.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were thrilled by the chilling atmosphere and the surprisingly effective, well-placed jump scares.: Audiences largely praised the film’s unique blend of mystery and supernatural horror, the standout performance by Carolyn Bracken, and the unsettling presence of the wooden mannequin.

Some found it a ‘masterpiece’ and ‘one of the best horror movies in years’ for its genuine scares and intriguing plot.: The film’s ability to create sustained tension and dread, rather than relying solely on cheap thrills, was frequently highlighted as a strength by its proponents.

Overall Consensus: Oddity is a polarizing but generally well-regarded horror film, praised for its unique atmosphere and effective scares, though some viewers found the plot predictable or its slow pace unsatisfying, leading to highly divided opinions.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Damian Mc Carthy deliberately ‘cherry-picked from horror tropes’ to construct the film’s overall feel, incorporating familiar elements in unique ways.”
• “The terrifying Wooden Man was directly inspired by the Jewish folklore of the golem, a clay figure brought to life through rituals to serve its creator.”
• “A unique trivia point revealed by the director is that the film’s title, ‘Oddity,’ is an anagram formed from the names of all the characters in the movie.”
• “The majority of the film’s eerie and atmospheric scenes were shot on location at Bantry House, a historic manor in County Cork, Ireland.”
• “Lead actress Carolyn Bracken undertook the challenging dual role of playing both twin sisters, Dani and Darcy Timmins.”

🖥️ How to Watch Oddity?

Currently, ‘Oddity’ is available for streaming on Shudder. For those who prefer to own a digital copy, it can be purchased or rented on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and other VOD services. The film also had a limited theatrical release starting in July 2024.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Oddity, you might like these similar films:

• Caveat (2020): Directed by Damian Mc Carthy, it shares a similar eerie, confined, and unsettling indie horror style with unique supernatural elements and a strong sense of dread.
• Hereditary (2018): Features a strong sense of atmospheric dread, family trauma, and supernatural elements, with a focus on unsettling visuals and psychological impact rather than cheap jump scares.
• The Golem (2018): Directly links to ‘Oddity’s’ trivia, as the Wooden Man was inspired by the Jewish folklore of the golem, exploring themes of animated, malevolent figures rooted in dark traditions.
• Creepshow (1982): Shares a ‘horror comic’ or ‘morality tale’ vibe, with distinct, unsettling supernatural elements and dark humor woven into its anthology segments, appealing to fans of classic horror tropes.
• Longlegs (2024): A contemporary indie horror film often debated alongside ‘Oddity’ for its unsettling atmosphere, unique visual style, and attempts to deliver genuine scares, released around the same time.

🛒 Oddity Related Products

• Oddity Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Immerse yourself deeper into the chilling world of ‘Oddity’ with this limited collector’s edition Blu-ray, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, and deleted scenes that delve further into the film’s lore and creepy elements.
• The Wooden Man Replica Figurine: Bring a piece of ‘Oddity’s’ terrifying allure into your home with this meticulously crafted replica of the Wooden Man. Standing 10 inches tall, this collector’s item captures every unsettling detail, from its perpetually screaming face to its eerie, ancient design.
• ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ Themed Escape Room Kit: Step into Darcy’s world with this ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ inspired escape room kit. Solve cryptic puzzles and uncover dark secrets, echoing the film’s blend of mystery and the supernatural, perfect for a spooky game night.
• ‘Every Murder Lives On’ Movie Poster (Framed): Adorn your wall with the striking official movie poster for ‘Oddity’, featuring the haunting tagline ‘Every murder lives on.’ This high-quality, framed print is a stark visual reminder of the film’s psychological depth and atmospheric horror.

🎧 Soundtrack

Oddity features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “There’s a River” – performed by Harry Bird

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Horror Movies 2024 🥵😱 [ New Horror Movies 2024 ] #shorts #scary #movies #2024

Curious where ‘Oddity’ stacks up against other recent horror hits? This quick list highlights some of the best new horror movies of 2024, and it’s awesome to see ‘Oddity’ recognized among them!

Her Sister Is Killed, So She Uses Cursed Items To Find The Killer And Get Revenge

Want to dive deep into ‘Oddity’s’ chilling plot without watching the whole film, or just need a quick refresher? This comprehensive recap perfectly summarizes the dark journey of revenge and cursed items – it’s surprisingly effective!

Oddity – Movie Review

Before you commit to watching ‘Oddity,’ check out this insightful review from Chris Stuckmann! He breaks down what works (and what doesn’t) in this horror flick, giving you a clear idea of what to expect.

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