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Review: ‘Hokum’ is a Clever Blend of Creepy Murder Mystery and Supernatural Horror Guaranteed to Send Shivers Up Audiences’ Spines
April 28, 2026Ben MK
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Stories of witches and dark magic have provided moviegoers with plenty of nightmare fuel over the years. But long before films like The Witch, Hereditary and The Blair Witch Project ever terrified audiences in a darkened theater, it was the cautionary tales of folklore passed down from generation to generation that had everyday people sleeping with one eye open. In Ireland, especially, legends of shapeshifting witches can be found throughout the pages of history, dating all the way back to ancient Celtic times. And with Hokum, Irish writer-director Damian Mc Carthy is drawing from that deep-rooted mythology, in this spooky story of a frustrated writer looking for some creative inspiration, who instead ends up trapped in a life-and-death battle with a malevolent supernatural entity. Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) is an emotionally distant and prickly man, and the author behind the popular Conquistador Trilogy. However, as he struggles to put the final touches on the closing paragraphs of his series' last, highly anticipated novel, he finds himself revisiting the events of his traumatic past — in particular, the death of his beloved mother (Mallory Adams), who passed away when a nine-year-old Ohm accidentally shot her with his father's handgun. Now, decades later, Ohm has finally worked up the courage to try and get some closure on that chapter of his life, by visiting the picturesque Bilberry Woods Hotel in Ireland where his mother and father had their honeymoon, scattering his parents' ashes, and perhaps even getting a much-needed change of scenery that will allow him to finish his latest book. Not long after arriving at his destination, however, Ohm discovers that there might be something sinister lurking in the hotel's infamous honeymoon suite — a witch with a penchant for shackling her unsuspecting victims and dragging them to the underworld. At least, that's the belief of the hotel's superstitious owner, Cob (Brendan Conroy), who isn't taking any chances, and who has secured the suite under lock and key, ensuring that no one goes in and that nothing gets out. But when one of the Bilberry's staff, a woman by the name of Fiona (Florence Ordesh), goes missing after the hotel's annual Halloween costume party, Ohm's curiosity will get the better of him, leading him to venture up to that forbidden section of the building to see for himself if Fiona may actually be there. It's a risky endeavor, especially with the hotel closing up for the session and Cob's son, Fergal (Michael Patric), who has already made clear his disdain for Ohm, patrolling the premises. Still, that doesn't deter Ohm from trying to rule out that possibility; and while, at first, it seems like his worst fears may not ultimately be realized, he soon comes to the terrifying understanding that some legends do in fact have truth to them. And, in this case, that there is an ancient witch haunting the hotel — one who will not let Ohm leave without claiming his very soul for herself. Guaranteed to send shivers up viewers' spines, the result is a horror movie loaded with its fair share of jump scares, but doesn't simply rely on cheap tactics in order to elicit genuine fear from its audience. On the contrary, Mc Carthy's smartly written blend of creepy murder mystery and supernatural horror is straightforward yet effective, taking its time to build to its terrifying crescendo and delivering plenty of atmospheric frights along the way. Coupled with another excellent turn from Scott, whose cameo in The Monkey made for one of the most bloody and shocking opening scenes of 2025, Hokum feels almost old-fashioned in the way it forgoes the elevated horror of such films as The Lighthouse and Get Out. Make no mistake, though, for what this genre outing lacks in contemporary cinematic trends it more than makes up for with its spooky aesthetic and solid performances, a combination that makes it one of the best horror movies of the year so far. It all adds up to a must-see for horror fans. For while the genre as a whole has been trying to reinvent itself as of late, this is a film that's unafraid to embrace a more tried-and-true approach, trading in a high-concept premise for something more firmly rooted in our own primal fears. Suffice to say, audiences in the mood for a good old-fashioned haunted house tale will find plenty to enjoy about Hokum, thanks in no small part to its clever script and creepy atmosphere. If you're expecting a movie that serves as an allegory for some societal issue or generational trauma, on the other hand, then you may want to avert your eyes. Hokum releases May 1st, 2026 from Elevation Pictures. The film has an MPAA rating of R for some violent/disturbing content, and language. Its runtime is 1 hr. 47 min. |
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