Adam Scott’s Horror Movie ‘Hokum’ Is A Must-Watch

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Adam Scott is well-known for his work in horror, and his upcoming film, Hokum, is already generating a lot of buzz as one of the most anticipated releases of 2026. The first trailer for this Irish folk horror movie has just dropped, and it’s truly unsettling. While the trailer doesn’t reveal much about the story, it does showcase creepy visuals and suggests that something sinister will happen to Scott’s character – a writer who travels to Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes.

Horror is booming in Hollywood right now, so a new supernatural film really needs to stand out. Hokum seems promising, and that’s largely thanks to its director, Damian McCarthy. The Irish filmmaker not only directed the movie, but also wrote the script, and that’s why horror fans are so excited about Neon’s latest release.

‘Hokum’ Director Damian McCarthy Has An Excellent Track Record


IFC Films / Shudder

While Damian McCarthy might not be as well-known as horror directors like Leigh Whannell, James Wan, or Osgood Perkins, his films are just as strong. His first movie, the creepy Irish horror film Caveat (released in 2020), has received positive reviews – currently holding an 81% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics particularly appreciate its slow pace and the feeling of intense dread it creates.

Okay, so 2024 was the year director McCarthy really arrived. His horror film, Oddity, was genuinely terrifying and ended up on a ton of ‘Best of the Year’ lists. Critics loved it – it’s got a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes – and it’s a really smart, chilling story about revenge, with some seriously effective jump scares. Now, he’s following that up with Hokum, and the idea of him working with someone as talented as Scott, plus getting a much bigger budget to play with, is incredibly promising. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he does with it!

The ‘Hokum’ Trailer Indicates McCarthy Is Staying True to His Ultra-Creepy Roots

Both Caveat and Oddity were made on very low budgets, costing less than $1 million each. Interestingly, they were filmed in the same converted barn in County Cork, Ireland, where the director, McCarthy, developed the stories. With a reported $25 million budget for Hokum, he’ll likely have more resources to create bigger scares and a more visually refined film compared to his previous work. However, the increased budget doesn’t seem to have changed his core approach to building suspense and fear.

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The trailer for Hokum is full of startling and unique visuals, and director McCarthy continues to expertly use darkness and tight spaces to build tension. He’s proven with films like Caveat and Oddity that he can create truly memorable and frightening creatures, and the rabbit-like being featured in Hokum‘s promotion looks to be his most unsettling creation yet. Given full creative control as writer and director, and with a larger budget than his previous works, Hokum is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror releases of 2026.



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2026-03-15 19:17