Hokum review

 

I was lucky enough to see Hokum a few days before it's official release on May 1st. Set in a hotel in Ireland Hokum is a fasciniating tale of Irish folklore, visuals and something utterly terrifying lurking beneath it's surface level. Adam Scott stars as an acclaimed writer who visits Ireland to scatter the ashes of his deceased parents as they once visited the country in what he says were their happiest days together. Now all alone and seemingly suffering from a deep depression his whole time in Ireland turns into a nightmare fuled hellscape. It's very much like Alan Wake goes to Ireland in search of inspiration for his latest novel.

Full or Irish folklore like I mentioned Hokum is visually stunning, from the Irish cliffs and moors to the inside of the hotel itself it all feels alive and packed to the brim with something truly spooky. One room in perticular deemed a no go zone by the owners it doesn't take long before the elevator is opened and the door to the honeymoon suite is unlocked leading to nothing but chaos from there on out. Director Damien McCarthy really nails the horror aspect leaning into visuals and sounds rather than constant jumpscares. It's a really refreshing way of doing it and leads to a truly horrific experience. 

Hokum isn't going to be for everyone as it does take a little bit of time to get going but once it does get going oh boy does it get going. Packed with Irish visuals, folklore and the like it is a love letter to the country and it's history all while proclaming itself as something truly unique and atmoshpheric. Hokum is easily one of the best horror movies I've seen in 2026 thus far!

★★★★