Honestly, as I walked out of the theater after Hokum, I felt a weird mix of disappointment and relief. Disappointment because the movie didn't quite live up to its eerie potential, and relief because it was over. I kept thinking about that one scene in the honeymoon suite though—it's still rattling around in my head. The whole experience was like a lukewarm cup of chai: you want it to be spicy and strong, but it ends up just being okay.
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What's Hokum About?
Hokum follows novelist Ohm Bauman, played by Adam Scott, who goes to a remote inn to scatter his parents' ashes. But he gets tangled up in local legends about a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. As he digs deeper, he starts having disturbing visions, and when someone suddenly disappears, Ohm has to face some dark truths from his own past. It's a horror-mystery that tries to blend psychological dread with a whodunit.
What Works in Hokum
- ✓ Adam Scott is genuinely great here. He brings a weary, haunted quality to Ohm that makes you root for him even when the plot gets silly. His slow-burn panic felt real to me.
- ✓ The cinematography is gorgeous. The remote inn and its foggy surroundings are shot with such moody, shadowy care that you almost feel the chill. That alone kept me watching.
- ✓ The first 30 minutes are brilliant. The setup is tight, the mystery is intriguing, and I was genuinely creeped out by the witch legend. It had me hooked.
- ✓ Florence Ordesh has a small role but she absolutely steals the show. Her scene in the bar is the most alive the movie gets. She brings this raw energy.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The middle act drags terribly. It's like the movie forgot its own plot and just wandered around the inn for 20 minutes. I checked my watch more than once.
- ✗ The mystery is too predictable. I guessed the twist about Ohm's past about halfway through, and the final reveal felt like a letdown after all that buildup.
- ✗ The horror relies too much on jump scares that don't land. There's one with a cat that made me laugh instead of scream. That's not good.
Standout Moments & Performances
There's a scene in the honeymoon suite where Ohm is just sitting on the bed, and the shadows on the wall start moving in ways they shouldn't. It's simple, but the way the camera lingers had me holding my breath. Then there's the moment when he finds a old diary in the inn's library—the writing on the pages shifts as he reads it. That gave me actual chills. But the best is the climax in the attic: not because it's scary, but because Adam Scott's performance is so raw and emotional that I forgot I was watching a horror movie for a second.
Main Cast: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Connell
Direction, Music & Visuals
Damian McCarthy's direction is competent but not inspired. He knows how to frame a creepy shot, but he fumbles the pacing. The cinematography is the real star here—every frame looks like a painting from a dark fairy tale. The score is minimal but effective, with a few eerie violin notes that stick with you. Performances are mixed: Adam Scott carries the film on his shoulders, but Peter Coonan feels wasted in a thankless role. David Wilmot is okay, nothing special. The sound design is good in quiet moments but overdoes the loud bangs. Overall, it's a technically sound movie that just doesn't have the guts to go all the way.
Director: Damian McCarthy
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Who Should Watch Hokum?
If you're a fan of slow-burn horror with a psychological edge, you might find something to like here. Also, anyone who loves Adam Scott's more dramatic work—he really shows his range. And if you enjoy atmospheric, foggy mysteries set in old inns, this could be a cozy, spooky watch on a rainy night. But don't expect a thrill ride.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for intense scares or a tightly plotted mystery, skip this. The slow pace and predictable twists will frustrate you. Also, if you hate jump scares that feel cheap, this movie will annoy you. It's more talky than terrifying.
Final Verdict
Hokum is a film with a lot of potential that doesn't quite deliver. It has beautiful visuals, a solid lead performance, and a genuinely creepy first act. But the middle drags, the mystery is too easy to solve, and the scares are hit-or-miss. I wouldn't watch it again, but I don't regret seeing it either. It's a decent one-time watch for horror fans who want something atmospheric. I'd give it a cautious recommendation—with the warning to keep your expectations low. It's not a bad movie, just an average one that could have been great with tighter editing and a more daring script.
