Hokum lands in a remote Irish hotel where a skeptical writer encounters something he can’t deny. Damian McCarthy’s horror aims for chills and emotion, but its script leans on familiar scares rather than fresh ideas.
Premise
Adam Scott plays Ohm Bauman, a prickly best-selling author whose success has hardened him. He dismisses supernatural happenings even as a witch is whispered to haunt the honeymoon suite.
When Fiona, a young bartender, vanishes during a Halloween party, Ohm’s stubborn stance gives way to a determination to uncover the truth.
Tone and visuals
The film relies on jump scares and recognisable horror imagery. A rabbit-like specter echoes Donnie Darko’s Frank, while other apparitions—a 50s housewife and a ragged hag—feel like stock silhouettes. The setting, though clearly Irish, is staged with generic tropes that could fit any locale.
Drone shots skim the hills and a prized copy of Irish Folklore in Fiona’s hands remind us of the locale, but these flourishes fail to elevate the material.
Character and emotion
Ohm’s internal battles with family trauma weave through the plot, attempting a sentimental through-line. Instead of adding resonance, the emotional threads come across as heavy-handed, underscoring the film’s lack of originality.
Verdict
Hokum sticks to well-worn horror terrain, delivering predictability rather than surprise. If you crave a conventional haunted-house tale with a prickly lead, it may entertain; otherwise it registers as a forgettable ride.
Source: Original article
