The 2024 movie lineup has been far from dull in its initial six months, featuring blood-soaked mayhem in ‘’Abigail’’ and the hypnotic allure of ‘’I Saw the TV Glow’’, among others. However, the pre-Halloween season is typically when horror movies truly shine in theaters. Recently, ‘’Oddity’’, a new horror film, quietly debuted in cinemas, earning a remarkable 97% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes despite limited hype.
If ‘’Oddity’’ doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. Written and directed by Irish filmmaker Damian Mc Carthy, the movie hit U.S. theaters amidst a bustling summer dominated by the success of ‘’Inside Out 2’’. While high-profile horror flicks like ‘’A Quiet Place: Day One’’ and ‘’MaXXXine’’ flooded the advertising space, ‘’Oddity’’ trailers have been scarce on mainstream media and social platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
This limited visibility can be partly attributed to ‘’Oddity’’’s modest release by IFC Films and Shudder. Nonetheless, the film’s impressive Rotten Tomatoes scores make a strong case for a robust marketing campaign:
– 97% Tomatometer, based on 70 reviews
– 90% Audience Score, based on 50+ ratings
It’s worth noting that ”Oddity”’s critical acclaim began well before its U.S. release. The film first gained significant attention from horror enthusiasts in March at SXSW, where it won the Audience Award in the Midnighter section. It continued to impress in April at the Overlook Film Festival, again earning the Audience Award. However, this buzz largely circulated among dedicated horror fans.
Fortunately, those aware of *Oddity* turned out in significant numbers where the film was shown. Despite a limited release in only 790 theaters, the movie grossed $555,500, placing it just outside the Top 10 at #12 and highlighting its potential despite stiff competition.
What Is ‘’Oddity’’ About?
‘’Oddity’’ centers around Dani, who is brutally murdered in the secluded country home she shared with her husband. An escaped mental patient is suspected of the crime. A year later, after the suspect’s death, Dani’s sister Darcy (Carolyn Bracken), a blind psychic and curio shop owner, visits the widower Ted (Gwilym Lee) and his new girlfriend Yana (Caroline Menton). Darcy brings objects from her shop that are crucial to her investigation.
One such object, as revealed in the trailer, is an unsettling wooden mannequin that plays a surprisingly pivotal role in the narrative.