Damian McCarthy has quietly become one of my favorite voices working in horror today. After Oddity, I couldn’t wait to see what he did next, and Hokum only confirmed that he’s one of the few filmmakers making horror that feels genuinely original. It borrows familiar genre ideas( haunted hotels, witches, folklore, ghost stories) but somehow rearranges all of those pieces into something that feels completely fresh.
At its core, Hokum is a horror film about grief, guilt, and storytelling. Adam Scott gives one of the best performances of his career as Ohm Bauman, a cynical novelist whose trip to Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes quickly turns into something far more unsettling. What begins as a slow-burning mystery gradually transforms into an increasingly surreal nightmare that constantly keeps you questioning what’s real and what exists only inside Ohm’s fractured state of mind.
What impressed me most is how confident McCarthy is behind the camera. He’s never in a rush to explain everything. Instead, he lets the atmosphere do the heavy lifting. Every hallway, every shadow, every strange sound feels purposeful. He trusts the audience to sit with the discomfort instead of constantly spelling things out, and that restraint makes the horror far more effective.
Visually, Hokum is stunning. McCarthy fills nearly every frame with gorgeous gothic imagery, rich textures, and creative lighting that constantly shifts between inviting and deeply unsettling. The production design deserves just as much praise as the performances because the hotel almost becomes another character itself. Every room feels like it’s hiding another secret.
The film isn’t interested in cheap scares as much as lingering dread. When the horror does arrive, it’s earned, and that’s what makes it so effective. Even as the story becomes stranger and more surreal, it never loses sight of its emotional core. That’s something horror films often struggle with, but Hokum manages to balance both remarkably well.
The 4K UHD presentation is every bit as impressive as the film itself. Presented in its original aspect ratio with a native 2160p transfer and Dolby Vision, this is one of those discs that immediately grabs your attention. Fine detail is outstanding throughout, from the worn stone walls and antique furniture to the smallest details in costumes and facial close-ups. The image remains beautifully filmic without ever looking overly processed. The Dolby Vision grade is where this release really shines. Since so much of Hokum plays with darkness, candlelight, and shadow, HDR has a tremendous amount of work to do, and it delivers. Black levels are incredibly deep while still preserving subtle shadow detail, allowing viewers to appreciate everything hiding within the darkness instead of crushing it into a muddy image. The contrast is excellent, giving every scene an added sense of depth and dimension.
Color reproduction is equally impressive. While much of the palette leans into muted earth tones, cold blues, and weathered grays, moments of warm candlelight, crimson blood, and rich autumn colors create striking visual contrast throughout the film. Nothing feels exaggerated. The HDR presentation simply enhances what’s already there, making the image feel richer and more immersive while remaining faithful to McCarthy’s intended look.
Overall, Hokum is one of my favorite horror films of the year. It’s creepy, emotionally resonant, beautifully directed, and refreshingly confident in its storytelling. Damian McCarthy continues to prove that horror doesn’t need to rely on loud jump scares when atmosphere and strong filmmaking can accomplish so much more.
The 4K UHD release does the film justice in every way. Between the gorgeous Dolby Vision presentation, immersive Atmos mix, and solid collection of extras, this is exactly the kind of release horror collectors should be excited about. If you’re a fan of slow-burn supernatural horror or simply appreciate films that trust their audience, Hokum is an easy recommendation and another excellent addition to the 4K format.
Have you seen it yet? Are you a fan of this movie? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Cheers,
Matt.
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