Damian Mc Carthy: Master of Uncanny Horror
Damian Mc Carthy is known for his elegant style, exquisite cinematography, and controlled editing in the world of horror films. What sets him apart is the spine-tingling effect of his movies that make viewers feel like they are looking into a mirror and seeing another face reflected back at them. His latest work, Oddity, delivers some of the scariest moments seen on screen in recent times.
The first 11 minutes of Oddity are a true masterpiece of tension, set in a centuries-old Irish country house where Dani (Carolyn Bracken) is staying for the night with her husband Ted (Gwilym Lee). The couple is renovating the primitive stone structure, with Dani camping out in what will eventually be their living room. With no electricity, heat, or decent cell-phone signal, Dani is vulnerable. When a stranger knocks on her door, it sets off a heart-pounding sequence that uses shadows and empty space to create a sense of dread and monsters lurking in the dark. This approach builds up to a truly terrifying jump scare that will leave audiences on edge.
Oddity is filled with intense nail-biting suspense scenes, interwoven with a classic EC Comics-style morality tale. After Dani’s tragic death in the opening, Ted, a doctor at the hospital where Dani’s killer supposedly escaped from, continues with his life. He moves his coworker and girlfriend Yana (Caroline Menton) into the house, and the two carry on as if nothing has happened. However, Dani’s twin sister Darcy, played by Bracken, enters their lives, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Darcy’s presence, strikingly similar to her deceased sister, adds an eerie layer to the story.
The mysteries surrounding Darcy deepen as the story progresses, revealing her unusual powers and knowledge of cursed objects in her antique store. The film takes a supernatural turn in its later acts, blending the paranormal with themes of lust and revenge. While some plot points may seem predictable, the film maintains its eerie tone throughout, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of dread akin to a haunting nightmare.