Reviews: Extra Ordinary (2019) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Comedy
Subgenres: Comedy, Possession, Campy, Exorcisms, Maniac, Satanic
HellHorror’s review of Extra Ordinary (2019) breaks down the plot, scares, cast performances, and its lasting impact on the horror genre.
Extra Ordinary (2019), directed by Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman, is a delightfully offbeat Irish horror-comedy that blends ghostly absurdity with deadpan wit. With its charming performances, quirky tone, and surprisingly heartfelt moments, the film strikes a rare balance between spooky and sweet — and it manages to be laugh-out-loud funny while doing it.
Extra Ordinary (2019) – Ghosts, Romance, and Possession with Irish Charm
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
Set in a quaint Irish town, the film centers on Rose Dooley (played by Maeve Higgins), a lonely driving instructor with a secret — she can communicate with the dead. After a traumatic childhood incident involving her ghost-hunting father, Rose has tried to suppress her abilities. But when Martin Martin (Barry Ward), a mild-mannered widower, seeks her help with his haunted house (and the ghost of his nagging wife), Rose is pulled back into the supernatural world.
Complicating matters is Christian Winter (Will Forte), a washed-up American one-hit-wonder rockstar who has struck a deal with dark forces to reignite his fame by performing a virgin sacrifice — and Martin’s daughter is his chosen target. What follows is a chaotic series of exorcisms, possessions, demonic rituals, and awkward romance, all handled with dry Irish wit.
Thematically, Extra Ordinary explores grief, loneliness, self-acceptance, and the longing for connection, but it wraps these ideas in absurdity and slapstick. Rose and Martin are both gentle souls trying to navigate loss, and their emotional growth is surprisingly touching amid the ectoplasmic chaos. It’s a rare horror-comedy that balances emotional depth with jokes about haunted garbage bins and ghostly roadkill.
Acting and Cinematography
Maeve Higgins, in her breakout role, is endlessly watchable as Rose. Her comedic timing is subtle and self-deprecating, and she brings warmth and sincerity to the character. Barry Ward matches her tone perfectly, grounding the film’s wilder moments with understated sweetness. Their chemistry is both awkward and endearing, making their slow-burning romance genuinely satisfying.
Will Forte, as the villainous Christian Winter, is a scene-stealer. His over-the-top performance brings just the right amount of theatrical evil, channeling the energy of a Saturday morning cartoon villain while keeping it just grounded enough to stay funny. His interactions with his wife Claudia (Claudia O’Doherty) add even more ridiculous fun.
Visually, the film is modest but effective. The cinematography leans into its rural Irish setting, using wide shots of grey skies and green hills to contrast with the ridiculousness happening onscreen. The special effects are intentionally low-budget, which adds to the charm. Ghosts appear with goofy animations, objects float with visible effort, and demonic rituals look more like community theater props than hellish ceremonies — and it works beautifully in the film’s comedic context.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Directors Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman clearly have a deep love for the horror genre and a sharp eye for comedy. Their direction is confident and cohesive, leaning into the absurdity without ever losing sight of the characters’ emotional core. The humor ranges from dry and witty to bizarre and slapstick, often in the same scene, yet it never feels tonally inconsistent.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its commitment to its weirdness. It doesn’t try to sanitize or streamline its humor — it embraces the awkward, the gross, and the bizarre with gleeful confidence. While the film might not appeal to everyone, especially those expecting traditional scares or a polished horror experience, it succeeds completely on its own terms.
If there’s a weakness, it’s that some gags go on a bit too long or repeat a familiar rhythm. But even when a joke overstays its welcome, the film’s heart and originality shine through.
Strengths:
Hilarious and heartfelt script with tons of originality
Maeve Higgins and Barry Ward’s chemistry is a joy to watch
Will Forte’s unhinged performance is pure comedic gold
Inventive and goofy supernatural moments that feel fresh and fun
A well-balanced tone between horror, romance, and comedy
Weaknesses:
Some jokes drag slightly, especially in the second act
Visual effects are purposefully lo-fi, which might not work for all viewers
Niche humor may not land with audiences unfamiliar with Irish sensibilities
Final Verdict & Score: 7/10
Extra Ordinary is a refreshing entry in the horror-comedy genre — weird, warm, and wickedly funny. With its lovable characters, bizarre plot twists, and heartfelt moments, it offers a genuinely original cinematic experience. It’s the kind of cult classic in the making that feels both comfortingly familiar and delightfully strange. For fans of quirky supernatural stories with emotional depth, this one’s a must-watch.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Extra Ordinary Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 7.52/10
- IMDB: 6.4/10
- MetaCritic: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9.8/10
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