Adam Scott, are you okay?

In Hokum, Adam Scott pays Ohm Bauman, a reclusive novelist who arrives at a remote Irish inn with the intent of scattering his parent’s ashes. Devastated by his parents’ cruelty, their loss is bittersweet to him as he can’t wait to move on from them. However, things become more complicated when the staff begin to regale him with tales of the ancient witch who haunts the honeymoon suite. As things begin to spiral, Bauman is strangely drawn to the forbidden area, leading to a nightmarish confrontation with the darkest corners of his past.

Written and directed by Damian McCarthy, Hokum is a sharply written horror/thriller that is almost disturbingly entertaining. The script is dark, twisted yet never loses sight of its larger goals. This is a film that dips its toe into multiple genres, including supernatural horror, psychological thriller and even monster movie. However, at its core, this is a story about finding a way to survive in a world that cares little for your well-being.

Though the vast majority of the film takes place within its small Irish inn, McCarthy makes good use of his surroundings. This tiny location feels like a never-ending puzzle box, with secret passageways and dark hallways lit only by candlelight. Featuring strong lines and murky colours, every room feels like a prison. McCarthy ensures that every turn has the potential for danger by immersing us in the dark. And, to be clear, this is a world where things don’t just go bump or screech in the night.

They fully drag you into the shadows.

Credit must also be given to a delightfully manic performance by Scott who absolutely embraces the chaos that he encounters. Faced with witches, murder and demonic bunnies, Scott leans into the psychology of his character, highlighting the strain of his existential crisis. Known best for his affability and humour, Hokum strips him of much of what made him a star on shows like Parks and Recreation and The Good Place. Still, Scott embraces the dark side with such enthusiasm that one can’t help but empathize with his character.

In some ways, there’s a sense of irony here given that Scott also starred in last year’s horror comedy, The Monkey. While entirely different in tone and style, that was a film that wanted to speak about the inevitability of death. Having said this,Hokum may admit the inescapable nature of our own mortality yet, at the same time, it takes a slightly more optimistic view of the meaning of life.

Without giving any particular spoilers, Bauman’s time in the inn is burdened with sadness. After suffering traumatic abuse throughout his life, his time in Ireland becomes another reminder of his personal pain. Combined with the madness that he encounters in the inn, Bauman has been pushed to the brink, yearning for the escape of death. And the further he dives into the secrets of the inn, the further he is forced to delve into his own emotional journey.

Even so, Hokum doesn’t entirely leave the viewer in the depths of despair. While the imagery is dark and twisted, the film is very much about the fight to live. The world may be submerged in the darkness but, maybe, there’s some light at the end of the deep, dark tunnel.

But make no mistake. If there is light, finding it will be a battle.

After all, Bauman isn’t even sure if he believes all this nonsense about witches and supernatural entities. To him, it’s all nonsense (or, more specifically, Hokum). So, for him to be able to survive the night, he’s going to have to do more than fight. He’s going to have to believe.

And that’s part of the fun of Hokum. Tapping into multiple genres and styles, McCarthy places the viewer in a lockbox and forces them to not only face off against evil. They need to stare down their own demons as well.

Hokum is available in theatres on Friday, May 1st, 2026