One of the standout horror films of 2024 is Damian McCarthy’s “Oddity.” Unlike many recent horror films, “Oddity” feels different and unique. McCarthy, known for his earlier short films and the feature “Caveat,” really grabs attention with this movie.
It has strong performances, genuine scares, and keeps a consistent tone. But some viewers might find the ending puzzling, unsure if the set-up paid off. The ending of “Oddity,” where a ghost haunts one of the main characters, brings the whole story together, connecting early details with later twists.
The movie centers on Ted Timmis (played by Gwilym Lee), a psychiatrist whose wife was brutally murdered by a home invader. Before she died, a mysterious man (Tadhg Murphy) visited her to warn her about something. People think he might be the killer, especially since he came from the same facility where Ted works.
One day, Ted visits his late wife’s twin sister, Darcy (Carolyn Bracken), who owns a shop filled with strange objects that have their own stories. Ted, with his clinical mindset, dismisses these as mere trinkets and finds the shop absurd. But Darcy, who is blind, has a gift for seeing through people, including Ted.
Throughout the film, Ted repeatedly says that Darcy needs psychiatric help because she is obsessed with the supernatural. One day, Darcy visits Ted’s house, which is the same place where his wife was murdered. Ted now lives with his new girlfriend, Yana (Caroline Menton), who often says that she feels uneasy and frightened in the house and around Darcy.
It’s soon revealed that Darcy suspects Ted of being responsible for her sister’s death. The main idea of the story is that people are not always what they seem. Darcy may seem strange at first with her blunt way of talking and harsh attitude toward Yana, but she is simply protecting her sister’s memory. It turns out Ted is the one with the real problem.
There is a big hole in front of Darcy that leads to her tragic death as she steps forward. Ted sends his accomplice to the house, but he fails in his task and ends up being chased by a giant wooden man. This allows Ted to shift all the blame onto his accomplice, making him a scapegoat who gets sent to the psychiatric ward. It seems like Ted is going to get away with everything, and Darcy’s efforts were in vain. But not so fast!
Earlier in the film, Ted had ignored one of the oddities in Darcy’s shop. He decides to touch a bell, even though Darcy warned him about it. The bell was used in a haunted hotel, and if anyone else rang it, a zombie-like bellhop would appear and attack. Without thinking, Ted taps the bell, and we get one last scare as the bellhop appears, seeming like a character from a Mike Flanagan movie. The film ends with Ted finally getting what he deserves.
What makes the ending of “Oddity” special is how it connects to Ted’s character, who keeps making bad choices but gets away with them until now. He appears to be kind and trustworthy, but viewers soon realize his true nature. Meanwhile, Darcy, who seemed suspicious at first, turns out to be the hero when Ted’s guilt is confirmed.
Ted is responsible for several deaths, including Darcy, her sister, and Ivan (Steve Wall), the orderly who helped Ted kill his wife. It is satisfying to see Ted face justice, especially since there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface.
The film isn’t a simple feminist story with a happy ending, but the three main female characters are the most relatable. Yana is smart enough to leave the situation, Darcy is wise and brave, and her twin sister, Dani, is mourned by all.
In a way, Darcy challenges Ted by creating puzzles he has to solve, like bringing strange gifts or showing up unannounced. She doesn’t lower herself to his level but instead plays the game by her own rules.
McCarthy and his team excel at building tension and creating an eerie atmosphere. They also succeed in making the characters feel like real people with their own motives and ideas. Just like the oddities in the shop, these characters are not what they seem at first.
Ted thinks he knows everything about everyone and believes his violent actions will have no consequences. But his world turns upside down when Yana leaves, Darcy dies, he kills his accomplice, and he ignores all warnings.
Whether viewers connect with the film or not, McCarthy makes unexpected choices that keep audiences questioning which characters to trust or support. Ted starts as a normal and likable character but quickly becomes a monster.
Darcy might seem off-putting and intimidating, but by the end, everyone is rooting for her. The best horror films are the ones that stick with you, like “The Shining” or “The Exorcist,” because they find deep psychological and moral questions. They might be scary, but that’s not their only purpose.
McCarthy seems interested in playing with audience expectations, creating a believable and immersive world, and letting a sense of dread grow. Not every decision is perfect, but the film leans into emotional and thought-provoking areas. “Oddity” is an original and well-crafted film that takes big risks, and audiences seem to have embraced it.
“Oddity” is a unique horror film that stands out for its deep characters, unsettling atmosphere, and surprising twists. Damian McCarthy shows skill in creating tension and finding the darker sides of human nature, making “Oddity” both thought-provoking and genuinely scary.
Ted’s downfall is a satisfying and fitting end to the story, leaving viewers with a sense of justice. While the film may not fit the traditional horror mold, its willingness to defy expectations and go into complex themes makes it a must-watch. “Oddity” succeeds in making the audience question everything, even their own perceptions of good and evil.
