ORCAL

Oracle is a chilling 2023 American supernatural horror thriller directed by Daniel di Grado, with a screenplay by Michael Arlen Ross and Corey Harrell, based on a story by Harrell and Jaime Primak Sullivan. Produced by James Lopez and Will Packer under Universal Pictures and Will Packer Productions, the film was released on October 1, 2023 via the Max streaming platform.

At its core, Oracle tells the unsettling tale of Shay, portrayed by Ryan Destiny. Shay, an African-American college student majoring in African-American History, is struggling with financial hardship alongside her roommate, Jasmine. A chance encounter with a rideshare driver who senses her unease leads him to offer a reassuring gesture in the form of his contact card — a small but telling moment that underscores Shay’s feelings of isolation.

Their fortunes seem to shift when Shay is approached by Kate, played by Heather Graham, who has returned to her ancestral plantation home despite its dark and painful past. While Kate expresses a kind of polite remorse for the home’s troubling legacy, there is something off about her — an unsettling disconnection that hints at deeper secrets lurking beneath the surface.

Initially, Shay declines Kate’s job offer to help at the estate, unsettled by the strange atmosphere. However, when Kate, desperate due to her ailing mother’s needs, increases the pay to $500 and asks Shay to stay the night, Shay reluctantly accepts. This decision sets in motion the film’s main thread of suspense and horror.

Soon, Shay begins to experience disturbing visions and realizations. The nightmares that plagued her as a child appear to be connected to malevolent forces that still inhabit the plantation house. The building itself becomes a character, its history seeping into every creak of the floorboards and shadowed hallway. The film cleverly plays on the idea that “the past is a presence,” making history a living, breathing force that cannot be ignored.

With a compact runtime of 85 minutes, Oracle wastes no time in tightening its grip on the audience. The story is propelled by an atmosphere of creeping dread, aided by Luca Del Puppo’s moody cinematography and precise editing by Linda Jildmalm and Ken Blackwell. The plantation setting is more than a backdrop; it is an oppressive presence that forces both characters and viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about heritage, guilt, and the lingering weight of history.

The cast is small but effective. Ryan Destiny delivers a grounded and empathetic performance as Shay, capturing both vulnerability and quiet strength. Heather Graham’s portrayal of Kate walks the line between polite cordiality and eerie detachment. Ariel Martin, as Jasmine, provides warmth and contrast to the film’s colder, more sinister moments. The inclusion of Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti as Andrew and Chase adds further depth, hinting at how the haunting reaches across generations.

Though it may not have achieved widespread critical attention, Oracle stands out for its blend of supernatural horror and historical reckoning. It is a story about how the past refuses to stay buried, how old wounds continue to fester, and how confronting them can be as terrifying as any ghost. Taut, atmospheric, and thematically resonant, Oracle delivers both chills and substance, leaving a lingering unease long after the credits roll.