‘Oddity’ Review – A Truly Haunting Tale Of Loss And Grief In The English Countryside

We all process loss and grief in our own ways, especially when it comes to the loss of a loved one. Some sit in it for months or even years and never really get past it, some put it in the rearview mirror and never look back. There’s no correct initial response, but we will reap the repercussions if it’s not dealt with responsibly and intentionally. In writer-director Damian McCarthy’s brilliantly imagined horror film, Oddity, we see two characters at opposite ends of the grief spectrum butt heads. Upon the first anniversary of the brutal murder of Ted Timmis’ (Gwilym Lee) wife Dani (Carolyn Bracken), he and his new girlfriend are suddenly visited by Dani’s identical twin sister Darcy (also played by Bracken). Darcy, a blind medium that can see flashes of events by touching objects related to those involved, hunts for the truth behind the murder as she and Ted’s girlfriend Yana (Caroline Menton) face unknown terrors in the same house where Dani was killed.

The spectrums of grief are on full display from the beginning. Darcy is clearly still grieving the loss of her sister and has become even more reclusive because of it, while Ted is at best indifferent to the whole situation. He’s already moved on to another woman, likely a move to distract him from his pain rather than work through it genuinely. Darcy is eager to remain a part of Ted’s life to sustain the connection to Dani, and invites herself into Ted’s home just as he is headed out for his night shift at the psychiatric hospital. Just before her arrival, Ted and Yana discover a large box delivered earlier that day containing a wooden mannequin, which is quickly revealed to be some sort of twisted gift from Darcy. 

Nearly every shot in Oddity is unnerving, being wholly displayed in a dreary color grade that many associate with parts of the English countryside. The house where much of the film takes place is so dark, with no natural light bleeding through the windows, only adding to the uneasy feeling you get as strange noises ring out throughout the home. Despite the movie’s short runtime, its slow-burn nature is still wildly effective. McCarthy doesn’t reveal his hand until deep into the film, which allows the tension to rise and haunt you until the very end. 

Early in the film, there is a scene where Dani calls Darcy from the only place she has reception in the house and exclaims “We are connected!” This is just a reference to the cell signal but is indicative of so much more. It’s often said that twins have some sort of connection that other people don’t, and this is felt throughout the story even when Dani has passed. Something about their connection drew Darcy back in to try and discover the truth of what happened to her sister, and this relationship is felt all the more through Darcy’s powers as a medium. It’s a beautiful message, that we are still connected to those we have lost. We may not believe in mediums or spirits or anything supernatural like that, but there is still a sense of connection that never leaves us. 

The performances in this are great, but none come close to the dual performance that Carolyn Bracken brings to Dani and Darcy. While they are identical twins, they couldn’t be more different people. Bracken brings a quiet, methodical mysticism to Darcy whereas Dani is played pretty straight. Her performance is the central piece and the heart of this film. It’s nowhere near as effective without her. 

The beauty of this film is in the writing, and how nothing is overly explained. There’s no scene where the whole world is laid out in explicit detail, making it abundantly clear where the rest of the plot is going. It takes true restraint for a writer to pull this off and trust the audience to meet the film where it’s at instead of spoon-feeding it to them. 

Without revealing much more, it’s safe to say that Damian McCarthy has delivered a genuinely haunting film that is well deserving of its audience awards at both SXSW and The Overlook Film Festival. It’s sure to raise the heart rate and deliver some never-before-seen frights that will stay with you for days. 

Oddity will debut exclusively in theaters on July 19, 2024, courtesy of IFC Films.