A Modern Homage to the King of Horror
Neon’s latest release, Hokum, is officially a certified hit. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the supernatural thriller currently holds a massive 87% Critic Score (based on 119 reviews) and an equally impressive 82% Audience Score.
What is "Hokum" About?
If you are a fan of classic haunted hotel stories like The Shining or 1408, this is exactly what you have been waiting for.
Adam Scott (Severance, Parks and Recreation) leads the cast as a novelist struggling with severe writer's block. Seeking a change of pace, he travels to a remote Irish hotel to scatter his parents' ashes. However, his quiet retreat quickly descends into madness. He soon learns the local lore surrounding a witch who allegedly haunts the hotel's honeymoon suite, which is tied to the mysterious disappearance of a former staff member. As he digs deeper, the dark secrets of the hotel begin to consume him.
Adam Scott Delivers a Career-Best Performance
Critics are raving about Adam Scott’s dramatic turn in Hokum, with many calling it the best performance of his career. He perfectly captures the essence of a snarky, cynical protagonist who is slowly unraveling. If the current ratings hold, Hokum will rank as the fifth-highest-rated movie in Scott's entire filmography.
The praise doesn't stop with the lead actor. Director Damian McCarthy is receiving massive accolades for his masterful use of suspense. Leaning heavily into deep supernatural folklore rather than relying on cheap jump scares, McCarthy has crafted a deeply unsettling atmosphere. This is only McCarthy’s third feature film, but it continues his flawless Rotten Tomatoes streak; his previous horror films, Oddity and Caveat, also scored well above the 80% mark.
What is Next for the Cast and Crew?
While Hokum captures the Stephen King vibe perfectly, actual King adaptations are also thriving. Horror maestro Mike Flanagan is currently developing an eight-episode Carrie series, a Dark Tower show, and a new take on The Mist. Meanwhile, shows like The Institute and It: Welcome to Derry have already secured second seasons.
As for the team behind Hokum:
- Damian McCarthy recently revealed to Polygon that he plans to make one final, self-contained haunted house movie to apply everything he has learned before officially stepping away from the horror genre.
- Adam Scott is keeping busy with two upcoming movies this year: the sci-fi thriller The Saviors and the crime film The Whisper Man. He is also set to return as Mark Scout in the highly anticipated Severance Season 3.
Backed by a strong supporting cast including Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, and Florence Ordesh, Hokum is proving to be the must-see horror event of the season. The film is currently playing in theaters.