Before 'Hokum', Damian McCarthy Made This 96%-Rated Hidden Horror Gem You Must See

In 2024, Irish director Damian McCarthy released his second full-length horror movie, Oddity. It went almost unnoticed among higher-profile releases, but it was a true revelation for fans of high-quality occult horror.

McCarthy, known for his debut Caveat and the recent hit Hokum, continues to explore the dark corners of the human psyche by blending detective fiction, drama, and the supernatural.

What Is 'Oddity' About?

Blind occultist Darcy loses her twin sister when she is murdered at a country estate. The authorities suspect a patient at the local psychiatric hospital where the victim's husband worked. However, the prime suspect is also found dead.

Darcy decides to solve the case herself using a creepy wooden mannequin and her occult abilities. She travels to the home of her sister's widower, who is now living with another woman.

The story alternates between scenes at the psychiatric hospital and an old house surrounded by rough stone walls. There, Darcy falls into a trance and summons a grotesque mannequin to life.

'Oddity's Main Assets Are an Oppressive Atmosphere & a Brilliant Performance by Carolyn Bracken

A large part of the success of Oddity is due to the director's economical and cold approach to drawing the viewer into the landscape of Irish horror. McCarthy freely handles the genre, casually passing the baton from a drama about a wounded sister to a detective investigation and then to occult horror.

He teases the audience first with calculated human evil and then with the retribution of unknown supernatural forces. Even when the tones clash, McCarthy remains focused, elegantly bringing the story to its conclusion with the help of familiar yet effective occult horror tools.

The terrifying effect of Oddity wouldn't have been possible if the film hadn't been an unequivocal success for Carolyn Bracken.

Bracken had the chance to play two roles – two sisters, one living and one dead – and to fill the movie with two opposing forces, combining a cold mind with the power of intuition.

'Oddity' Is a Confident Occult Horror That Is Definitely Worth a Watch

Oddity isn't a revelation or a new chapter in horror, but it's a confident exploration of the genre. The story McCarthy tells isn't as important as the opportunity it provides to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of total mistrust and superstition.

Can you trust a stranger knocking on your door? What about a male psychiatrist who creates a new family home after his wife's death, as if nothing had happened?

Oddity is a movie for those who seek a lingering horror atmosphere.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Oddity'?

• Oddity has 96% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, Oddity scored 3.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Oddity'?

Oddity is available to stream on Hulu, AMC+, and Shudder.