Hokum (2026) | Film Review

There’s something deeply satisfying about a horror film that knows exactly what it wants to be, and Hokum wastes absolutely no time proving it does. Blending grimy crime-thriller tension with eerie folklore horror, the film creates an unsettling atmosphere that only grows heavier as the story unfolds – and by the end, it leaves you wishing you could spend even more time inside its terrifying world.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its pacing. Hokum never drags, never overstays its welcome, and constantly feeds just enough mystery to keep you locked in. The crime-story framework meshes surprisingly well with the supernatural folklore elements, grounding the horror in something gritty and believable before slowly pulling the audience into something far darker and far stranger.

And honestly, the folklore side of the film is phenomenal.

If there’s one complaint to be made, it’s that you almost want more of it. The mythology and creature lore are so intriguing, so unnerving, that every glimpse feels like a tease. But in a way, that restraint works in the film’s favour. Hokum understands that what you don’t fully see is often far more frightening than what’s put directly in front of you. The little we do get is enough to linger after the credits roll.

The horror itself is genuinely effective too. Not just creepy in a surface-level jump scare way, but properly eerie. There’s a constant feeling of dread hanging over the film, and when it wants to be frightening, it absolutely succeeds. Some of the visuals are pure nightmare fuel – twisted, disturbing imagery that feels ripped straight out of old folklore warnings whispered around campfires.

Visually, the film looks fantastic throughout. The cinematography leans heavily into shadows, bleak locations, and oppressive framing, giving the entire movie a cold, suffocating atmosphere that perfectly complements the story. Combined with a solid soundtrack that knows when to swell and when to stay unnervingly quiet, the film builds tension incredibly well.

The cast are excellent across the board, but Adam Scott completely steals the show.

What makes his performance so impressive is how convincingly unbearable he becomes. Scott has always had this naturally friendly, approachable charm, which makes his transformation here even more effective. He plays an intolerable, narcissistic arsehole with such confidence that you genuinely forget you’re watching one of the most likeable actors working today. It’s a fantastic performance, and easily one of the film’s highlights.

Hokum (2026) | Film Review

Overall, Hokum is creepy, atmospheric, tense, and genuinely unsettling in all the right ways. It’s a film that understands folklore horror isn’t just about monsters – it’s about mood, paranoia, and the feeling that something ancient and terrible is lurking just out of sight.

Absolutely worth watching, and out now.