Hokum, a horror and thriller film directed by Damian Mc Carthy, runs for 1 hour and 47 minutes and was released on 15 May 2026. The movie has received a critic's rating of 3.0 and a similar user rating. It is best enjoyed by those who appreciate atmosphere-driven horror with well-timed jump scares, though it may feel undercooked for viewers seeking a tightly plotted narrative or deep payoff.
Story Overview
The plot follows Ohm, a novelist who travels to Ireland to scatter the ashes of his deceased parents, who had celebrated their honeymoon there. His journey takes a dark turn when he checks into The Bilberry Woods Hotel, a notoriously haunted establishment in a remote, cold town. The hotel is barely occupied and run by a skeletal staff, including the owner's son-in-law and manager Mal (Peter Coonan), bartender Fiona (Florence Ordesh), and bellboy Alby (Will O'Connell). Ohm, played by Adam Scott, is recognized by the staff but his cold demeanor keeps them at a distance. While scattering the ashes, he encounters a homeless man named Jerry (David Wilmot), who is under the influence of magic mushrooms. As Ohm tries to relax, the hotel's eerie past begins to haunt him, leading him to uncover deeply unsettling secrets.
Review
Director and writer Damian Mc Carthy, known for films like Caveat and Oddity, returns to basics with Hokum. The film is rooted in folklore and punctuated by perfectly timed jump scares. It excels in transporting the audience into a claustrophobic, dingy old hotel full of secrets and ghostly sightings, effectively feeding on fear. While the story is uneven and unfolds slowly, it offers a decent mix of real danger and psychological tension. The true star is the hotel itself, reminiscent of The Shining, brought to life through Colm Hogan's visceral cinematography, Ciara McKenna's realistic set design, and Til Frohlich's evocative production design.
Adam Scott portrays the uptight author whose desire for solitude can be mistaken for snootiness. He convincingly sells the chaos Ohm finds himself in, partly by chance and partly due to his own curiosity. The rest of the cast is passable but given limited material to work with. Joseph Bishara's background score complements the spooky proceedings. The jump scares land effectively, and horror enthusiasts who enjoy sudden jolts will find enough to stay engaged. Hokum does not attempt to redefine the genre but keeps things simple and atmospheric. The experience feels more like walking through a haunted hotel attraction than being rewarded with a superb backstory or writing strong enough to justify all the scares.
Cast and Crew
- Adam Scott as Ohm (also producer)
- Peter Coonan as Mal
- David Wilmot as Jerry
- Austin Amelio as writer
- Florence Ordesh as Fiona
- Damian Mc Carthy as director
Verdict
Hokum is a decent atmospheric horror film that delivers on jump scares but falls short in storytelling depth. It is recommended for fans of mood-first horror who enjoy a good scare in a spooky setting.
