On May 1, director Damian McCarthy’s horror film “Hokum” was released.
“Hokum” follows American novelist Ohm Bauman as he travels to a remote Irish hotel, where his parents honeymooned, to scatter their ashes. Ohm quickly discovers that the hotel’s honeymoon suite is allegedly haunted by a witch, and this proves true as a mysterious disappearance and frightening visions plague Ohm at the hotel.
“Hokum” is not McCarthy’s first foray into horror, with past credits including “Oddity” and “Caveat.” However, “Hokum” is certainly his most successful film to date, likely due to the star power of lead actor Adam Scott.
Scott is truly responsible for leading the movie, as his character, Ohm, is the focal point of the entire film. Ohm’s character development throughout the film — something that is not typically highlighted in a horror movie — takes center stage in many moments, which calls for powerful acting.
Scott initially rose to fame in the hit sitcom “Parks and Recreation” as the lovable auditor Ben Wyatt. Scott’s character became very popular for his comedic talents and ability to play a “straight man” against the many other quirky characters on the show.
His other standout role, which diverged from comedy, is in Apple TV’s “Severance” as Mark Scout. “Severance” is a psychological thriller that explores a world in which people can elect to undergo a procedure that surgically severs their work consciousness from their home consciousness. A concept as complex as this certainly requires top-notch acting, which Scott delivered with his Emmy-nominated performance.
Scott’s performance in “Hokum” is equally as impactful. Ohm begins the movie as a sardonic, rude individual, but over the course of the film, he works through his traumatic past and chooses a more positive outlook. Scott skillfully portrays such a personality change, while also reacting appropriately to the many horrifying moments of “Hokum”.
Aside from Scott’s character, the standout performance was David Wilmot’s portrayal of the endearing man who lives in the woods behind the hotel, named Jerry. Jerry is a very quirky character whom Ohm meets after arriving at the hotel, and his kind-hearted spirit drives the plot along and creates more emotional impact.
The horror sequences of “Hokum” are undeniably strong. From the supernatural horror of the witch who lives in the basement of the hotel to psychedelic-induced visions, there is not a dull moment. Although “Hokum” relies on jump scares in many moments, the dread and suspense built by the cinematography, music and acting are uniquely strong.
The setting of the film also stands out in creating a horrific environment. In the honeymoon suite of the hotel, where much of the action takes place as Ohm is trapped there, there are many interesting antiques and design choices. For one, there is no shortage of ominous carvings of cherubs, which seem to watch Ohm in his terror. Additional details, such as the clock, the bathtub full of water and the retro television set, create an all-around disturbing atmosphere.
“Hokum” also features some notable imagery, such as that of rabbits. One hotel employee goes missing on Halloween while wearing a somewhat eerie rabbit costume, and a drug-induced hallucination Ohm faces includes a terrifying rabbit-man who is the star of a fictional kids’ TV program. While the meaning of the rabbit imagery is not explicitly clear, it is reminiscent of similar rabbit imagery in other horror-adjacent films like “Donnie Darko” and builds intrigue.
Another interesting aspect of “Hokum” is the way it skillfully blends the supernatural world with realistic, human horror. While the obviously otherworldly horror of the witch is frightening, the witch acts as a backdrop for the true horror of what people can do to each other. This blending of ideas strengthens both concepts, instead of overloading the film.
Perhaps the strongest part of “Hokum” is the messaging. It is not uncommon to come across horror movies that focus more on scares than being a film of real quality, but “Hokum” strives for more than just terror. Ohm begins the film as a fairly unlikeable character, but is changed for the better by the horrifying ordeal he undergoes. This choice to include a deeper emotional core to the plot truly improves upon an already strong movie.
Hopefully, audiences can expect to see more from director McCarthy in the future.
