Hokum (R)
Cast: Adam Scott, David Wilmot, Austin Amelio, Peter Coonan
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Runtime: 1 hr. 48 mins.
Genre: Horror
When reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Scott) retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind. Soon, disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance draw him into a nightmarish confrontation with the darkest corners of his past.
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Hokum is a claustrophobic horror movie that mixes supernatural elements with human immorality. Although not technically a murder mystery, aspects of that genre can be found in the bare bones of the narrative. The film's main driver is a sense of impending doom that infuses every frame; for about half the running time, the protagonist, author Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), is trapped in a haunted room, seeking escape from the darkness, a witch, and the ghosts of his past. McCarthy's script skillfully explores the intersection of grief and guilt, suggesting that the hauntings Ohm experiences might be as much psychological manifestations of his own regrets as they are spectral threats. This ambiguity elevates the film beyond a simple "ghost in the room" story, challenging the audience to decide where the man's broken psyche ends and the supernatural begins.
The movie opens with a prologue featuring a conquistador and a young child in the middle of a desert. We soon learn that this represents a scene from a novel written by Ohm, who is struggling with a severe case of writer's block. Seeking inspiration and a break from normalcy, he elects to visit Ireland and stay in the hotel where his deceased parents honeymooned decades ago. He brings along their ashes for burial. The hotel turns out to be a rather depressing place to stay: it has a sparse clientele, a crossbow-wielding handyman, a nosy busboy, and a honeymoon suite that is allegedly haunted.
Writer/director Damian McCarthy elects to present Ohm as a rather unlikable individual. He is introverted and unkind. The only person he connects with on any level is the bartender, Fiona (Florence Ordesh), but that superficial friendship has unpredictable and unfortunate consequences. Fiona is determined to find a way into the honeymoon suite to see what is there, and circumstances eventually lead to Ohm following in her footsteps. Their dynamic is one of the film's more grounded elements, providing a necessary human anchor before the narrative fully leans into its more esoteric and frightening flourishes.
Hokum contains some narrative hiccups, especially late in the proceedings. Parts of the ending feel a little too pat and the foreshadowing regarding one particular plot device is heavy-handed; the viewer keeps waiting for it to be used, and the means by which it is enabled feels forced. But the film is less about narrative than it is about atmosphere and, in that, McCarthy excels - a trait that recalls his previous outing, the creepy Oddity. The sound design deserves particular mention, as it uses silence as effectively as a discordant score. Lighting (or lack thereof), perspective (such as looking down an elevator shaft), and camera placement all play important parts in trapping the viewer in an unnerving situation alongside Ohm. However, the film is not so deeply steeped in dourness that it doesn't have time for some humor, most of which is provided by a vagabond named Jerry (David Wilmot), who has a fondness for "shrooms" and moonshine.
Adam Scott, currently best known for his work in the Apple TV+ series Severance, brings his characteristic low-key approach to Ohm. Although the character eventually grows on the viewer as key details about his past are revealed, Ohm remains a somewhat prickly presence throughout. He is also more resourceful than the typical horror film protagonist; it's refreshing not to have to suspend disbelief regarding a character's intelligence. When Ohm does something ill-advised, it is usually reasonable within the context of his reality. Scott manages to convey a wealth of internal conflict with minimal dialogue, relying on physical performance to communicate the rising tide of panic.
Ghost stories tend to work best when set in isolated locales with a limited number of characters, and Hokum checks all the boxes. It oozes creepiness and plunges the viewer into an uncomfortable situation alongside the main character. Gore is minimal, but there is enough disturbing content to keep most horror fans - even those who crave buckets of blood - engaged. As counter-programming to the early summer season's blockbusters, this delivers better than a lot of the more expensive titles against which it is competing. It serves as a potent reminder that a well-crafted atmosphere and a singular, focused vision can be far more terrifying than a hundred million dollars' worth of digital effects.
© James Berardinelli
Synopsis
When reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Scott) retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind. Soon, disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance draw him into a nightmarish confrontation with the darkest corners of his past.