If you’re on the hunt for a spine-chilling film to watch this Halloween, science has got you covered. A recent study has identified the most terrifying film of 2024, and it’s currently available to stream for free.
The Science of Scare Project, established in 2020, is dedicated to identifying the scariest English language films ever made. They equipped a panel of 250 individuals with heart rate monitors and tracked their reactions while watching a variety of films to create a ranking.
The latest set of results have just been released, revealing the 2024 film most likely to have you sleeping with the lights on.
Topping the list is the Irish horror film Oddity, directed by Damian McCarthy, with a ‘Scare Score’ of 69. It narrowly beat out other releases such as Terrifier 3 (68), Longlegs (54) and The Substance (45) to secure the title of 2024’s most terrifying watch. For comparison, Shrek has a score of 3, reports The Mirror.
Oddity tells the story of a grieving doctor named Ted (played by Gwilym Lee) whose wife Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) is brutally murdered in their new home, seemingly by one of his patients. On the anniversary of her death, his deceased wife’s identical twin sister arrives with an unusual object, and the truth about what really happened begins to unravel.
One unnerved viewer hailed the film as “top choice for best horror movie of the year.” They continued: “Damian McCarthy’s follow up to his impressive directorial debut Caveat, is just as atmospheric and dread inducing but with a much more linear and involving plot, plus much more frightening.”
Another fan raved that Oddity was “gripping from beginning to end”, deeming it “a masterclass in film making”. A third viewer admitted: “I was honestly SO surprised and totally gripped by this movie. There are SO many things going on… and homages to so many different horror genres – but somehow it feels extremely well contained, and the pacing and plot never suffer for it.”
For thrill-seekers wanting to give Oddity a watch, there’s some good news. The film is currently streaming on Shudder which offers a seven-day free trial for new customers, perfectly timed for Halloween viewing.
Although Oddity currently stands out as 2024’s most frightening film, the scariest of all-time title is held by supernatural horror Sinister, with a Scare Score of 96, followed by Host at 95, and Skinamarink tailing closely with 91.
Oddity is now streaming on Shudder