'Hokum' Review
- Connor Petrey
- 14 hours ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 6 minutes ago
Release Date: 05/01/26 [Cinemas]
Genre: Horror.
MPAA: Rated R.
Distributor: Neon.
The Verdict: A Must-See
Being in a dark theater with an invested crowd, ready to experience an absolute nightmare, and coming out of it with numerous near-anxiety attacks - Hokum is possibly the most horrifying experience I’ve had in quite some time.
Adam Scott as a troubled novelist trapped within a cursed hotel - some Jack Torrance ego coming through. Scott fully embodies the character and all his comedic alter egos we instantly connect with him float away instantly as you are fully submerged into the turbulent journey of the nightmares ahead of him.
There’s a mystery at play as well, from a missing employee of the establishment to the rumors of what lurks within the Honeymoon Suite. As we torture ourselves alongside Scott’s Ohm, the hidden horrors can be much more treacherous than what’s on the surface.
Hokum dives into a folklore territory, embedding and combining lore from all over to best compliment the story being driven here. This is my introduction to Damian Mc Carthy and it’s safe to say this is a horrifying way to begin his filmography, but one that leaves a lasting impression on the filmmaker’s talents.
From top tier performances that influence pause, to brilliant cinematography and sound design that make our stay all the more terrifying to sit through. Hokum is a haunting experience full of high tension moments throughout, making it easily the scariest movie of the year and the best film SXSW had to offer.
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