One of this year's best horror films I've seen so far. You'll find that the core plot of this movie is not something you've never come across in the horror movies, it's the way that was shot gives you the creeps and chills!

Halfway through the movie you'll get an idea on what's going to happen and who's responsible for what and though you're aware of all the plot points you'll be surprised to see how Mc Carthy achieved the endings for each of those characters in a bizarre way with tense and gloomy atmospheric settings in the back.

At one point I was frustrated with one of the plot points about a "Bell". I knew how the story's going to end and I was thinking 'what's the point of showing us that bell if nobody's going to ring it!?'. But boy! What an awesome ending Mc Carthy gave us! Though the story ended as it was supposed to be, Mc Carthy twisted it a little bit in order for the bell to be rung before the end credits roll and what a sight it was when the bell rang!

Coming to the opening sequence, I'd say that this has got one of the best opening sequences for a horror movie. With tense, chilling dark atmosphere and the to and fro conversations between the characters gets under your skin immediately. I couldn't hold my excitement filled with fear and had to forward a bit just to calm down my nerves and had to rewind once I knew what happened LOL.

One other thing which I liked about this movie is that the characters stayed true to what they truly believe, never did they try to change their core beliefs and stayed like that till the end. I'm glad that I haven't read either a review or have watched a trailer for this and I am totally satisfied by the outcome.

This film does a lot of things right. While there's a jump scare or two, the fear mostly consists of atmosphere and situations that would easily scare anyone in a similar setting. That's the right way to do horror, with the idea of something inspiring dread as opposed to cheap reaction scares that are only effective due to loud noises. It even starts out with an impossible decision that effortlessly hooks you in. Additionally, there's always something to focus on that consistently engages the audience. Shown, not immediately explained. Seen and not described. This results in mystery and guesswork that will keep you interested throughout. All in all an entertaining film, and the acting skill displayed by the entire cast is competent and fitting.

I only have two complaints. The first is that the motivation of some characters are basically nonsensical. It could be argued these people are essentially psychopaths, but even so their choices are far too extreme to be believed. Absolutely ridiculous. The second is the ending scene. I can't elaborate without spoilers, but while the concept is very cool, the execution was pretty weak. None of this ruined my overall enjoyment of the film, but there is no lasting impression because of it, which is a shame.

Campy fun with one of the scariest 5 minute sequences I have ever seen in a movie thrown in, Oddity doesn't take itself too seriously. Why not.....?

The film's first hour is so tense; Mc Carthy puts a perpetual lump in my throat through some unnerving shots. He's clearly taken some cues from Hereditary as far as the cinematography, and, in conjunction with a great premise, its quite effective. Absolutely loved the house and its use in shots; frames like the empty door frame are very well executed. Nearly every minute of Darcy's visit puts the viewer on their toes. Its just such a slow burn, and in between some of the most terrifying sequences I have ever seen was nothing but gaping anxiety. For nearly an hour I got no relief from a foreboding and uncertain tone that seemed to swallow me- I loved it. If the payoff to the opening sequence doesn't terrify you I don't know what to say.

Unfortunately, Oddity transitions from unnerving to campy after losing its best character. It seems to answer all its questions too quickly, and, being aware of this, throws in some admittedly well-executed humor to drag out its runtime. I almost can't complain, the cannibal scene is so nerve-wracking and sinister until 'mmm, feet'. The shot of the bell hop is hilarious. If the whole movie was like this I wouldn't have a problem, but Oddity's first act is so genuinely terrifying I hated such a sudden transition.

The two different tones don't fit together for me, and I hate that I can go to one point in the movie and say 'this is where it fell apart'. As soon as Darcy falls down the trapdoor, Oddity falls apart. It eats itself with self-awareness. Further, the second act really puts a spotlight on a lukewarm performance from Ted Timmis.

A film of peaks and valleys, Damian Mc Carthy's sophomore entry has some seriously stunning peaks. A great first act presents a compelling and terrifying vision I wish could have been fully realized. In spite of marked inconsistency, its nothing if not entertaining; Oddity is a truly wild ride.

6/10: Flawed but entertaining.