Oddity (film)
| Oddity | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Damian Mc Carthy |
| Written by | Damian Mc Carthy |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Colm Hogan |
| Edited by | Brian Philip Davis |
| Music by | Richard G. Mitchell |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | IFC Films |
Release dates |
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| Countries |
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| Language | English |
Oddity is a 2024 paranormal horror film written and directed by Damian Mc Carthy. The film centers on a blind medium and curio shopkeeper who is still grieving the death of her twin sister a year prior. A wooden mannequin from her cabinet of curiosities becomes crucial to her quest to uncover the truth about her sister's murder.[1][2]
It premiered at South by Southwest on March 8, 2024, where it won the Audience Award in the Midnighter section at the festival.[3]
Cast[edit]
- Gwilym Lee as Ted Timmis[4]
- Carolyn Bracken as Dani and Darcy[4]
- Tadhg Murphy as Olin Boole[4]
- Caroline Menton as Yana[4]
- Steve Wall
- Jonathan French
- Joe Rooney
Production[edit]
The film was shot in the same converted barn in West Cork, County Cork, Ireland as Mc Carthy's first film, Caveat. Mc Carthy was developing Oddity at the same time he was working on Caveat.[5]
Effects artist Paul McDonnell created the life-size wooden mannequin with input from Mc Carthy.[1] Mc Carthy cites films like Child's Play and Creepshow as influences. "I'm a big fan of those old 'doll comes to life' films," he said in 2024. "But they're always small, and I thought it would be cool to have one that's your size, that would be a force to reckon with if it did come alive."[5]
Mc Carthy, who frequently browses antique stores, acquired many of the props for the film himself.[5]
The character Olin Boole was the subject of Mc Carthy's 2013 short film How Olin Lost His Eye, which explores the character's backstory.[6]
Release[edit]
In February 2024, Blue Finch Films acquired the international distribution rights for the film.[7] The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 8, 2024.[5] It won the Audience Award in the Midnighter section at the festival.[3] It won the Audience Award for Feature Film at the Overlook Film Festival in April 2024.[8]
The film will be released in the United States on July 19, 2024,[9] prior to playing at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2024.[10]
Reception[edit]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Vary, Adam B. (March 7, 2024). "15 Buzzy SXSW Premieres: 'The Fall Guy,' '3 Body Problem,' Travis Kelce's Producing Debut and More". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ Shanahan, Luke (January 11, 2024). "SXSW Round-Up: Sound and Colour starring Alison Oliver to have North American premiere". The Irish Film & Television Network. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Zee, Michaela (March 13, 2024). "'Bob Trevino Likes It,' 'Monkey Man' Lead SXSW Film & TV Festival Audience Awards". Variety. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Lowe, Justin (March 8, 2024). "'Oddity' Review: Damian McCarthy's Supernatural Suspenser Casts an Unsettling Spell". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Whittaker, Richard (March 8, 2024). "The Horror of Found Things in Oddity". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ Puchko, Kristy (March 9, 2024). "'Oddity' review: Your new horror obsession has arrived". Mashable. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (February 12, 2024). "SXSW-Bound Berlin EFM Supernatural Film 'Oddity' Boarded by Blue Finch Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ Zilko, Christian (April 11, 2024). "'Oddity' Wins Audience Award for Best Feature at Overlook Film Festival (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ T, Amber (June 5, 2024). "Meet The Terrifying Mannequin Of Oddity In Today's New Trailer". Fangoria. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ Carson, Lexi (June 6, 2024). "Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival Unveils 'Bookworm' Starring Elijah Wood as Opening Film, Plus Second Wave of Titles (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ "Oddity". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
