Seeking shelter at a strange barn shop of antiques, what could possibly go wrong? Scream queen Adrienne Barbeau (Creepshow, Swam Thing) plays a character with a hell of an answer as the wayward shopkeeper in writer/director Tyler Savage’s literal oddity. Tight, unique little horror Oddities places Barbeau’s instantly-iconic performance at center stage in this entertaining, albeit ridiculous, movie of two women on the run who accidentally stumble upon their worst nightmare.
After a drug-fueled party at a strip club ends with an accidental death, best friends Mac (Lovie Simone) and Rose (Lillimar) flee the scene hoping to outrun the impending consequences. Their escape quickly takes an even darker turn when they stumble upon a secluded roadside shop run by an rabidly devout woman (Barbeau) and her equally bizarro son. The girls find themselves imprisoned by the fanatical family as some equally dangerous thugs begin to close in on their location wanting a taste of the pie.
Without question, Adrienne Barbeau emerges as a chilling standout. Playing the religious matriarch, she chews through each scene with gleeful mania, taunting her captives and embracing an over-the-top tone without pinpoint precision. Even when the script veers into complete ridiculousness, Barbeau stays fully committed. If there’s one thing about Oddities that should stick with viewers, Barbeau’s turn would be at the top of the list.
Savage, whose freaky rideshare horror Stalker impressed me back in 2022, loses some nuance that made that film stand out. This one feels decidedly less unique, and with outward emphasis on practical effects-aided carnage. The bursts of gore stand out in their absurdity, with pitchforks and axes and multiple levels of the antique shop being used to stage violent acts. The setting adds a unique extra layer that elevates some of the stranger elements. The friendship between Mac and Rose also works surprisingly well, with both women collaborating on ways to escape their maniacal captors. The final act takes a turn into crazy town feels a bit at odds with the grounded setup of the first act. Still, Oddities should live up to the name, and would absolutely be at home as a grindhouse VHS tape to pop on with a group of drunken pals.
Oddities screened at 2026’s Tubi FrightFest.
