Hokum (2026)
I had one of those rare, quietly joyful moments recently, or actually more like two of them. First, I got invited to see a movie with some newly found friends. Yes, me. Invited out. Incredible I know. The second surprise was that they suggested a movie I was already interested in seeing. I don't know for you, but having to go by others movie suggestions is usually a pretty torturous experience. Anyways, that suggested movie was Hokum.
Hokum follows an unapologetically asshole writer, played by Adam Scott, who I’m happy to see wandering back into the horror genre (I still remember him from Hellraiser… whichever number that was). He travels to Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes, and from the moment he arrives, the film wastes no time immersing us in misty landscapes, small-town charm, and local folklore. And by folklore, I mean ghost stories… or more specifically, tales of a penis-stealing witch (yes really). I loved the cozy, slightly-off-kilter vibe of the town and the quaint hotel where he stays. It’s the kind of setting that feels safe until you realize it isn’t.
The horror elements themselves? I’d call them decent. The jump scares were predictable, and the film leans on that familiar horror trick of turning something innocent into something nightmare-inducing. Think scary clown but swap in bunnies. None of that was mind blowing to be honest. What did impress me, however, was how much heart the movie had all while keeping a steady tension humming through.
The film takes its time peeling back the layers of a character we’re not supposed to like. Slowly, we’re pulled into his childhood trauma, his clumsy attempts at being a better person, and eventually his desperate fight to survive. By the time things get truly messed up, we’re no longer just watching him but rooting for him.
SPOILER: One of the most interesting parts of Hokum is how Ohm (Adam Scott) eventually rewrites his bleak ending novel from where it was in the beginning of the movie. Instead of the novel ending with the horror gut-punch, the story leans into redemption. It mirrors the character’s own arc: messy, painful, but hopeful. As someone who generally appreciates that gut-punch/shocking way of ending things, it tells you how genuine the thought and care was in making something a little more special. Not cheesy, not shockingly depressing, but a third other way.
In the end, Hokum is a well-written, well-shot horror film that delivers more than just scares. It offers genuine emotional beats, thoughtful character work, and a surprisingly touching core. I’m torn between a 3.5 and 4 stars, but either way, I’d recommend it to both horror fans and people who usually avoid the genre.