Adam Scott Was Excited Returning To Rare Villain Role In New Horror Movie Hokum

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Adam Scott is returning to horror films with Hokum, and he’s excited to play a villainous role – something he doesn’t often get to do.

Damian McCarthy, known for his film Oddity, directs this new horror movie. It stars Scott as Ohm Bauman, a writer who retreats to a secluded Irish inn after his parents pass away. The inn is where his parents spent their honeymoon, and Ohm initially plans to scatter their ashes there. However, he soon discovers a disturbing history connected to the inn’s honeymoon suite. When an employee disappears, Ohm is plagued by unsettling visions linked to his own past.

Following his role in the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Monkey, Scott stars in the new horror film Hokum alongside Peter Coonan (known for Bad Sisters), David Wilmot (House of Guinness), Austin Amelio (The Walking Dead), and Florence Ordesh. Hokum premiered at SXSW on March 14th and has received mostly positive reviews so far.

To celebrate its debut at the festival, ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan spoke with Adam Scott and Damian McCarthy at SXSW about their new film, Hokum. Scott, a four-time Emmy nominee, explained he was drawn to the project because of the writer/director’s previous work, specifically calling their 2024 film Oddity “extraordinary.”

Scott praised the script for Hokum, calling it “super interesting.” He was particularly excited about playing Ohm, as the character gave him a chance to portray a villain – a departure from his usual roles. Scott is known for playing likeable characters in shows like Parks and Recreation and Little Evil, but he’s been looking to switch things up and take on roles that allow him to play someone less friendly and more complex.

I was really captivated by the character Damian created and the path he took him on – it was both fascinating and genuinely scary. The script itself was disturbing, but in a good way, and I found it very enjoyable. That’s really what drew me to the project. It’s also great when a strong story supports the character work, and I felt like this had everything I needed. My main goal was just to do the script justice and not mess it up.

McCarthy explained why he chose Scott for the lead role in Hokum, noting the biggest challenge with the character of Ohm is that he’s largely on his own for much of the film and has extended periods without speaking. Because of this, McCarthy needed an actor who was compelling to watch, describing the film as similar to a one-person show, and believing Adam Scott fits that bill perfectly.

The writer and director admitted that an early note from Scott – that the character wasn’t very likable – presented a real challenge. They worried it could cause viewers to tune out right away, putting them in a difficult position to regain the audience’s interest. However, McCarthy believes Ohm made the character compelling, even at his worst or when he was unkind to others, and was thrilled Scott was eager to take on the role.

It was a really enjoyable experience. While filming, I recall a point a few weeks in where the script suddenly had no dialogue for three weeks. We’d finished one part of the movie and I was just filming scenes of myself in a room, which was pretty intimidating. I realized I’d have to carry that section of the film without speaking at all. I honestly don’t think I could have done those scenes if I hadn’t been able to communicate at all.

Hokum’s Title Has A Unique Thematic Tie To Scott’s character

ScreenRant: What is Hokum? What does that mean?

Damian McCarthy feels the word is simply absurd and a bit silly. He believes this reflects the main character, Adam, who dismisses local stories about witches and ghosts, and perhaps hints at a deeper understanding of Adam’s personality and motivations.

ScreenRant asked if the films Caveat, Oddity, and Hokum were related, noting their single-word titles and similar poster styles.

Damian McCarthy explains that the stories aren’t connected in a larger way. While you might see familiar elements like props, locations, or characters, it’s not building towards a shared universe. He emphasizes that watching the other films isn’t necessary, but he enjoys the occasional references between them.

ScreenRant asked about the things that inspire my work. They wanted to know who or what has influenced my films, both this one and my work overall.

I’m heavily influenced by John Carpenter films like ‘The Thing’ and ‘They Live,’ especially stories about someone trying to survive a single night. I also drew inspiration from movies like ‘Evil Dead II’ and siege films, where a lone character faces wave after wave of challenges. A lot of my inspiration comes from 1980s cinema – it feels timeless. With this film, and my others, I intentionally keep the setting and time period vague. There’s a lack of modern technology, and the costumes and cars are all older. This deliberate ambiguity is meant to subtly disorient the audience and create a unique atmosphere. It’s not immediately obvious when or where the story takes place, and that’s intentional.

Here at the SXSW festival – a really exciting event where film and music come together – I’ve been asking people a simple question: What’s your all-time favorite movie soundtrack?

Adam Scott: Oh, that’s a good question. Like score or compilation of songs?

People are constantly asking me to explain something, but honestly, I’m not sure what the answer is. I think it just depends on what happens first.

Damian McCarthy mentioned the movie Southland Tales, which has a really interesting soundtrack. Moby composed the music, combining original score with existing songs, and Muse also contributed. He’s always enjoyed it because the film is unusual, but the music is what keeps drawing him back to it.

I’d say there are a couple of movie soundtracks that really stand out to me. First, Grosse Pointe Blank – everyone should see that movie again, or for the first time! It’s fantastic, and the music is amazing. It’s built around an ’80s vibe because it’s about a class reunion, but the songs are put together in a really clever and enjoyable way. I also love the soundtracks to Stand By Me and Animal House. It’s definitely music from a different generation, but I listened to those a lot growing up. Stand By Me actually came out when I was around the same age as the characters in the film, and that really resonated with me.

ScreenRant asked, “Is there anything else about the movie you’d like to share with the audience before it’s released?”

I think the movie strikes a good balance – it’s genuinely frightening, but also has a lot of humor. It’s a really entertaining story about Adam and the unusual people he encounters on his journey. Overall, I think audiences will enjoy it.

Adam Scott believes Damian has a truly original way of looking at things, and consistently finds unexpected ways to create suspense and fear. This is a key element of what makes him such a distinctive and captivating filmmaker.

Be sure to dive into some of ScreenRant‘s other SXSW coverage with:

  • Sun Never Sets Review
  • Dead Eyes Review
  • One Another Review
  • Kill Me Review
  • Ready or Not 2: Here I Come Review
  • Saviors Review
  • Family Movie Review
  • Power Ballad Review
  • Seekers of Infinite Love Review
  • Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice Review
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2026-03-16 23:45