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Adam Scott is stepping into pure nightmare territory this May with Hokum, a bone-chilling Irish folk horror film from the visionary director behind Oddity. The Severance star descends into a haunted inn where an ancient witch awaits, promising screams and psychological terror.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: May 1, 2026 exclusively through Neon
- Director: Damian McCarthy, who directed Oddity and Caveat
- World Premiere: March 14, 2026 at SXSW Film Festival
- Rating: R for violent, disturbing content and language
Severance Star Adam Scott Enters a Haunted Irish Inn
Adam Scott plays Ohm Bauman, a reclusive novelist who retreats to remote Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes. What begins as a solitary pilgrimage becomes a descent into psychological horror when staff tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite consume his mind. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance pull Ohm toward his darkest traumas.
The windswept isolation of the Irish countryside becomes a character itself, amplifying dread with every frame. McCarthy crafts an atmospheric pressure cooker where past and present collide violently.
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Director Damian McCarthy Returns With Audacious Irish Horror
Damian McCarthy proves his mastery of folk horror after stunning audiences with Oddity and Caveat. Hokum represents his sharpest, most terrifying exploration yet of supernatural dread. The Irish filmmaker taps into primal fears rooted in ancient legends and psychological fragility.
At SXSW, Hokum screened to cheers and screams, establishing McCarthy as a bold voice in contemporary horror cinema. His distinctive visual style commands silence and suspense in equal measure.
Cast, Release, and Distribution Details
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | May 1, 2026 in US theaters |
| Distributor | Neon Films |
| Main Cast | Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Austin Amelio |
| Production Companies | Spooky Pictures, Image Nation, Tailored Films |
The compelling ensemble includes Peter Coonan (The Alienist), David Wilmot (Station Eleven), and Austin Amelio (The Walking Dead). Producers Roy Lee and Steven Schneider from Spooky Pictures shepherded this unsettling vision to completion.
“Damian McCarthy is the new king of horror. The Irish filmmaker has previously thrilled audiences with the mind-bending Caveat.”
— Mashable, Film Review (March 18, 2026)
What Audiences Should Expect From This Folk Horror Masterpiece
Hokum delivers a nonstop fright factory of psychological terror and atmospheric dread. The film explores how past traumas resurface in haunted spaces, blurring reality and nightmare. Viewers should expect unsettling imagery, shocking character moments, and visceral scares without relying on cheap jump scares.
This is cerebral horror for audiences who respect intelligence mixed with pure terror. The film arrives at a symbolically significant date: May 1 marks Walpurgisnacht, a witches’ holiday in German folklore, adding thematic layers to the release timing.
Why Horror Fans Must Mark Their Calendars for May 1
Adam Scott’s return to rare darker territory represents a career milestone for the beloved character actor. After years of comedy excellence, Scott proves his range encompasses genuine terror and vulnerability. Hokum could establish him as a horror leading man capable of carrying deeply unsettling narratives.
With 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and festival acclaim already secured, early word suggests Hokum arrives matured, confident, and absolutely masterful. This is required viewing for serious horror cinema lovers in 2026.
Sources
- Bloody Disgusting – Hokum trailer breakdown and Damian McCarthy director profile
- Wikipedia – Complete film credits, release details, and SXSW premiere information
- Rotten Tomatoes – Critical consensus scores and early audience reviews
