Review: ‘Hokum’ delivers a unique experience for horror fans
While falling short in some areas, Adam Scott’s newest film is a refreshing take on the genre
By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org
Not even halfway through the year, 2026 has already been jam-packed with horror films. The most recent release in the genre, “Hokum,” allows for Irish folklore and psychological terror to come together and create a distinctive experience for audience members.
The film follows writer Ohm Bauman, played by Adam Scott, as he visits the hotel in Ireland where his presently deceased parents spent their honeymoon in order to spread their ashes. Haunted by a dark past, the jaded author encounters an evil unlike anything he was prepared for.
Scott fits into the character of Bauman seamlessly. The film succeeds in its effort to present a challenging personality to the audience that, despite his unlikeability and alcoholism, is still someone to root for.
Along with Bauman, there’s an interesting assortment of characters in play for this horror film. Jerry, played by David Wilmot, is a quirky Irishman that believes the unseen world may be made aware to others through consuming magic mushrooms.
Despite its brevity, the dynamic shared between Bauman and Jerry is thoroughly enjoyable, and short comedic beats fit naturally into the story without disrupting the intensity of the given situation.
Will O’Connell as Alby, an aspiring writer starstruck by Bauman’s appearance in the hotel, is also quite the endearing character. While his involvement in the story may be seemingly insignificant, his impact proves to be much larger than audiences may have anticipated by the end — one of the many subversive elements seen in the film.
The jumpscares in the film felt masterfully placed, instilling a true sense of fear into the audience. Some were more predictable than others, but still remained thrilling, with tension easy to build through the eerie setting of the old hotel. The overall pacing for the scares also allowed for viewers’ attention to remain steadfast on the screen.
Additionally, there are various moments that feel reminiscent of cultural cornerstones for horror video gaming. Although this seems unintentional on the part of the creators, the influence of “Silent Hill 2” and “Alan Wake” are felt continuously within much of the film by means of its eerie setting and unnerving visuals — furnishing the already impactful atmosphere with further embellishments.
Another possible inspiration echoed within “Hokum” was Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980). Centered around Bauman’s journey through the hotel, it’s hard not to look back on the horror genre classic.
“Hokum,” however, falls short in its attempt to tie all of its plot points together neatly. There’s a balancing act between showing viewers the supernatural elements and the realistic trauma each of the characters are facing, which falls apart toward the end of the film due to poor pacing.
Only 1 hour and 47 minutes long, the film may have benefited from more time to allow room to answer some of the questions still left unresolved in the story’s final moments; for instance, audience members never learn the backstory of the hotel’s owners or the role of the shown goat herd in the movie’s plot.
With the horror genre constantly facing new iterations and titles, it can be challenging for filmmakers to create an authentic piece for every fan to enjoy. Despite its minor weaknesses, Damian McCarthy, “Hokum” writer and director, skillfully weaves together a highly interesting tale that is rich with a blend of established folklore and new concepts in regards to the craft.
Ultimately, it is films like “Hokum” that keep horror fans engaged with modern-day takes on the genre. Incorporating various sources of ingenuity to unfold each event on Ohm’s journey and keep viewers on the edge of their seats, this solid and eerie Irish horror film gets the job done.
Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org