films seen
2
average score
3.25*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking

Movies


Caveat

2020 / 88m - UK
Horror
3.5*/5.0*
Caveat poster

A dark and unsettling little horror film. With a very limited cast and a single location, Mc Carthy relies on a meticulous build-up, stellar sound design, a creepy location and some prime props to make his film stand out. And boy is he successful, if you like a good slowburner that is.

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The little bunny contraption is genius, the setting is uncanny and the lead actors do a great job. There are some unnecessary flashbacks in the middle and it might've been better if the film had left a few more things unexplained, but the superb score keeps the tension high and the film is creepy from start to finish. Good stuff.


Oddity

2024 / 98m - Ireland
Horror
3.0*/5.0*
Oddity poster

Mc Carty's latest film confirms he has a nose for horror cinema, but the film itself is a bit plain and predictable. Caveat has a nicer and more intriguing premise, whereas Oddity is a standard haunting story. If there's anything original here, it's more in the added crime elements, but they felt a tad unnecessary.

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It's hard to fault the film for specific parts. The performances are good, the presentation is stylish, and the pacing and runtime are perfect. It's just that the haunting are quite tame and the payoff is a bit basic. Mc Carty is one to watch, that much is clear now. I just hope he goes for a better script next time around.