A One Mann’s Movies review of “Hokum”. (2026, 4*, 15).
I see lots and lots of cookie-cutter haunted-house horror films, but not one has yet has started with a 16th-Century conquistador on a search for treasure in the desert of Abu Dhabi! Like, “WTF”!? But this is just the first hint of what’s to come from this accomplished bit of film-making from Irish writer/director Damian McCarthy. Although sometimes treading very familiar territory, “Hokum” is full of clever little twists and shocks that made this endlessly entertaining for me.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Famous author Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) travels to Ireland to the hotel where his now deceased parents spent their honeymoon. The hotel staff are preparing for a Halloween party and full of Irish craic, but the rude and arrogant American feels nothing but disdain for them. But he is warned about local folklore of a witch and wonders why the honeymoon suite is sealed shut.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC website: “Strong horror, violence, language, suicide references”.)
Talent:
Starring: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Austin Amelio, Mallory Adams, Michael Patric, Will O’Connell, Brendan Conroy, Florence Ordesh, Sioux Carroll, Ezra Carlisle.
Directed by: Damian McCarthy.
Written by: Damian McCarthy.
Running Time: 1h 47m.
Review:
Positives:
- The story is genuinely clever. I can’t think where I’ve seen the genres of murder/mystery and horror intertwined like this so cleverly.
- There are so many clever little surreal touches in the story. For example, we top and tail the film with the conquistador (Austin Amelio) and his boy guide (Ezra Carlisle) in the desert in a completely unrelated story. But the pair suddenly reappear in the sand of a large hour-glass in the hotel. In another scene we have a seamless segue from the circle of coloured sand in the desert to the ring left by Ohm’s whisky glass: it’s one of those visual moments that made me want to stand up and shout “Bravo!”.
- A solution to a non-working dumb-waiter switch is nothing short of ingenious.
- Jump scares with a big orchestral spike on the soundtrack are so ten-a-penny in these types of films. But, a bit like “Undertone” from a few weeks ago, this horror uses dark corners to great effect and slips in scares quietly and without fanfare. But the odd jump scare really made me jump!
- I wasn’t familiar with Adam Scott (he was apparently in the series “Parks and Recreation” and “Severance”) but, although looking spookily like David Tennant at times, does a solid job as the sceptic forced to face supernatural realities (or are they?).
Negatives:
- Our lead character, Ohm Bahman, is SUCH an unlikeable character that I found myself in two minds as to whether I wanted to root for him or not.
- The film takes a while to find its stride: things are superb when we get into the ‘escape room’ (as it were), but the script is a bit patchy in the first reel.
- The film really didn’t need the opening spooky goings on in Ohm’s US home: this really didn’t make any sense.
Monkeys?
There are no “monkeys” at the end of the end credits: just some spooky witchy noises on the soundtrack.
By the way, (because I’m sad like that), I note that we are up to MPAA certificate 55900 with this film: I wonder what will get the magic 56,000 number? (Ed: a search has indicated that the new Moana live action remake is 55982, so we are definitely getting near! There doesn’t seem to be a definitive directory online of this data, but let me know in the comments if you know of any films higher than this.)
Summary Thoughts:
This is a well crafted horror film that uses its scares wisely and creates some great visual imagery. The narrative is a little clunky in places, but more than makes up for that in style and film-making techniques. One of the best horror films of the year so far. I will definitely put Damian McCarthy on my ‘watch list’ for his future offerings.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nDyQWBOU.
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