2026 has seen a run of decent horror films and the latest is Hokum from writer-director Damian McCarthy. Taking its influence from ‘The Shining’ this sees author Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), a not particularly likeable author, suffering from writers block unsure how to finish his latest fantasy opus. Added to his metal turmoil is the death of his parents some while ago and is now travelling to Ireland to scatter their ashes near a hotel where they spent their honeymoon.
What to expect from Hokum…..
The hotel is one of fading former glories that’s soon to close down for the winter. More intriguingly is that the hotel’s honeymoon suite is permanently locked and gated off because inside is a venomous old harpy of a witch the sort not seen since Prince Harry’s wedding night. It’s one of the hotel staff Fiona (Florence Ordesh) who warns him off and despite his natural dislike of seemingly everyone at the hotel he takes a shine to her. So when the manager tells him that Fiona went missing on Halloween never to be found, it spikes his concern and Ohm insists that the hotel is searched again even if that does mean going into the permanently off bounds Honeymoon suite. Adam Scott, albeit looking like David Tennant’s twin brother is initially not particularly likeable, becomes more human as he is put through Hell.
There’s a creeping dread as the story unfolds with director McCarthy orchestrating throwing in a number of obligatory but effective jump scares. But far more than that, in the very best tradition of creepy horror movies he has designed set pieces and scares that at their work quite brilliantly that send shivers.
McCarthy’s previous films ‘Oddity’ and ‘Caveat’ were very good and demonstrated a director with real talent for the genre that is reminiscent of early James Wan films and his ability to produce on screen chills. Hokum is Damian McCarthy’s best film yet and it would be hoped that the big studios snap him up and give him free rein.
related feature : Damian McCarthy’s ‘Caveat’ reviewed here
related feature : 2025 horror films – What a really great year!
related feature : ‘Whistle’ director Corin Hardy talks spooky props, difficult special effects….and Evil Dead
Here’s the Hokum trailer…..
