By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
The best horror film of the year has finally arrived and will supply all the spine-tingling terror and suspenseful mystery you could want. “Hokum” is an old school haunted house type of movie, but with an added layer of Irish folklore. The story is riveting and well told with an almost Hictchcockian flare that cinephiles will appreciate.
While on a trip to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, anti-social author Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) finds himself dealing not only with his own personal demons, but also with the strangeness of the property itself, which is rumored to be haunted by a witch. When a staff member goes missing, Ohm’s curiosity gets the better of him, and he seeks to unravel the perplexing mystery. The one plaguing question that he keeps circling back to is why no one is allowed in the honeymoon suite.
Damian Mc Carthy is an Irish writer/director who was responsible for one of 2024’s best horror films in “Oddity,” and he once again strikes the right fear-inducing chord with “Hokum.” This filmmaker operates like a seasoned veteran, showing patience in cultivating the story first and foremost and refraining from rushing headlong into generating simplistic thrills. The slow burn strategy works very well without becoming too slow as he layers the plot with an intriguing breadcrumb trail of Irish folklore, the main character’s depth and backstory, richly mysterious side characters, and hair-raising supernatural elements. He keeps viewers invested with small reveals throughout that come together like a well-constructed puzzle. The only noticeable thing Damian could have improved upon is more explanation to expand on the Irish folklore he introduces to provide more context for the witch’s presence.
Like he achieved in “Oddity,” Damian uses a classical approach to developing the horror by building an intense atmosphere through the story and cinematography that acts like a narrator. Similar to Alfred Hitchcock, he favors the camera over dialogue to reveal key elements of the story that appeal to a more observant audience. He captures this old-fashioned ghost story vibe using lighting and a claustrophobic style, locking in with POV shots, pivotal close-ups, and deliberate negative space with slow movements that trap viewers in the stillness and terror of the scenes. He further facilitates a creepy feeling by purposefully lingering over dark spaces, filling viewers with a sense of dread as they wonder what could be lurking there in the shadows. Clearly, this filmmaker continues to improve with each film and is solidifying himself as one of the premier directors in the horror genre.
The script is incredibly well-written, allowing every actor in the cast to shine in their respective roles. However, it is Adam Scott in the lead role that supplies a form-fitting haunting performance that perfectly complements and carries the slow-burn tone of the film. He slowly peels the layers back on his character that begins as an abrasively unlikable snob who wields sarcasm as a weapon, revealing a relatable depth with a fractured spirit. As he becomes more obsessed with understanding the mystery of this hotel, he brings the audience right along with him, especially when his cold façade starts to crumble. Adam will have another movie coming out later this year called “The Whisper Man,” which he stars in alongside veterans like Robert De Niro and Michael Keaton, in addition to his Emmy nominated recurring role in the TV series “Severance.”
This is not only the best horror film to release so far this year, but also one of the better films overall. “Hokum” exquisitely mixes a whodunnit murder mystery with a classic supernatural horror that will chill you to the bone while also stimulating your brain. Forget the big budget blockbusters, give this one a chance in theaters, you won’t be disappointed.
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