This New Horror Gem With 'Severance' Star Is a True Feast for Fans of the Genre

Director Damian McCarthy has a pleasant surprise in store for horror fans. His new movie, Hokum, is a great horror flick with a dark, mysterious story that's impossible to put down.

The main role in Hokum is played by Adam Scott, the main star of Severance, and that's one of the main reasons to check out this movie.

What Is 'Hokum' About?

Horror writer Ohm Bauman is working on the finale of his trilogy. He is struggling with the epilogue and is haunted by his mother's ghost. After having a terrifying vision, he stops working and heads to a remote Irish inn.

His late parents had vacationed there, so Ohm decides to scatter their ashes there. Then, he hears a terrifying story about a witch who supposedly hunted people in the area. Ohm, a skeptic, doesn't believe in fairy tales.

Soon, however, a man goes missing from the inn under mysterious circumstances. The writer begins investigating, and the closer he gets to the truth, the more palpable the presence of supernatural evil becomes.

'Hokum' Masterfully Captivates Despite Its Simplicity

Hokum is a fairly traditional story. While it doesn't rely on elaborate plot twists, it captivates within the standard horror format of witches and ghosts.

The movie's gripping effect is largely due to its terrifying yet captivating visuals. The believable setting of the dilapidated hotel emphasizes the story's intimacy, and the striking images of the evil spirits are etched in memory.

The smooth buildup and thoughtful, seamless narrative create a vibrant movie – McCarthy gives the story depth by seamlessly weaving an important message about the value of life into the occult nightmare.

At times, however, Hokum can feel drawn out – the leisurely exploration of the hotel's secrets sometimes feels tedious rather than exciting.

McCarthy favors melancholic, mystical thrillers with detective elements à la The Sixth Sense, so the scares in Hokum sometimes feel hesitant.

Adam Scott Is 'Hokum's Greatest Asset

Hokum's greatest asset is Ohm Bauman himself. He is an extremely callous and crude writer who manages to captivate rather than repel with his coldness. Adam Scott masterfully portrays a prickly man who hides repressed emotional pain behind a smug grin.

McCarthy provided the actor with fertile ground for drama. A haunted house forces the man to confront his inner demons, while bizarre visions and encounters with mystical evil force Ohm to grapple with both external threats and personal demons.

Hokum is a modest yet coherent horror story, it doesn't strive to impress with a grandiose scale or mind-bending plot.

Despite its rough edges, the movie draws you into the grim reality of the old hotel, making you sense that terrible secrets could lurk behind every door.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Hokum'?

• Hokum has 88% from critics and 83% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.4/10.

• On Letterboxd, Hokum scored 3.5/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Hokum'?

Hokum is currently playing in theaters.