Hokum: Director Damian McCarthy’s Scary New Horror Movie Starring Adam Scott

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Adam Scott has steadily become a major star. He first gained attention with memorable supporting roles in films like Step Brothers and shows like Party Down and Parks and Recreation, though those shows struggled to find a wide audience. Eventually, Severance transformed him from a familiar face into a leading actor. This Apple TV+ show, a darkly funny look at work-life balance, resonated with viewers. Set in a strange near future where employees can surgically separate their work and personal memories, Severance tapped into the feelings of being overworked and underpaid that many people experienced after the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’ve been so impressed watching Scott’s career take off! His performance as Mark Scout really put him on the map, and now he’s in this amazing position where he can choose any role he wants – it’s incredible. What I really admire is that he’s using that freedom to do what he loves – horror! He’s not chasing awards, he’s fully embracing the genre, and honestly, he’s become the new leading man in horror, and I’m loving it!

Fans were delighted by his brief appearance at the beginning of The Monkey, and The Saviors promises to be genuinely frightening. This summer, Scott will appear alongside Robert De Niro in the thriller The Whisper Man, but audiences can see him in another horror film starting this weekend.

Hokum is easily Scott’s most thrilling horror project yet. It’s a film built around him, really showcasing his special abilities. The movie cleverly contrasts Scott’s relatable, down-to-earth personality with genuinely frightening supernatural events – think of a character like Ben Wyatt suddenly confronting a truly terrifying demon. Like all great horror films, Hokum is best experienced in a theater, with a crowd, and opening weekend is the ideal time to see it.

Hokum Is Damian McCarthy’s Follow-Up To Oddity

Damian McCarthy continues to prove himself as a unique and compelling voice in horror with his latest film, Hokum. Following his earlier, lesser-known film Caveat, McCarthy gained attention in Hollywood with Oddity (2024), a surprise hit about a blind psychic who uses her collection of strange objects to find her sister’s killer. This success gave McCarthy creative freedom for his next project, and Hokum is the result – the film he wanted to make most.

The movie Hokum feels like something Stephen King might write. It follows an author who goes to the Irish countryside to spread his parents’ ashes, only to stumble upon something unsettling. It’s a fresh take on the haunted house story, similar to The Shining, but with a clever twist – it’s not just a haunted hotel. The film’s use of Irish folklore creates a genuinely creepy and believable atmosphere, and Adam Scott gives a fantastic performance, carrying the movie with ease. He clearly puts the same dedication into his horror roles as he does into his more dramatic work in shows like Severance and Big Little Lies.

Poorly executed jump scares can ruin a horror movie, making it feel predictable and cheap. However, when done right, they can be incredibly thrilling. Thankfully, Hokum gets it right. Director McCarthy is a true expert at building tension and delivering perfectly timed scares. Hokum is a fantastic throwback to classic supernatural horror, and it’s best experienced in a theater where its unsettling atmosphere can truly captivate you.

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2026-05-02 00:10