The new horror film Hokum has officially arrived in theaters, marking the latest feature from Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy, director of Caveat and Oddity. The supernatural horror film was released on May 1, 2026, through Neon.
The film stars Adam Scott as Ohm Bauman, an American writer who travels to a remote hotel in Ireland connected to his family’s past. As he investigates the location and the mysterious disappearance of a bartender named Fiona, he becomes drawn into increasingly disturbing events tied to local folklore and supernatural forces.
Early reviews for Hokum have been strongly positive. Tom’s Guide described the film as one of the standout horror releases of 2026, praising Damian McCarthy’s atmosphere-driven direction, unsettling imagery, and layered mystery storytelling. The review also highlighted Adam Scott’s performance, noting the film’s focus on psychological unease and emotional isolation rather than relying heavily on jump scares.
Additional reactions from critics have emphasized the film’s eerie Irish setting, folk horror influences, and slow-building tension. Cinemablend reported that the movie currently holds a strong Rotten Tomatoes score following its debut, while several reviews praised McCarthy’s use of suspense, sound design, and supernatural ambiguity.
The release of Hokum also arrives during what several horror outlets have described as a major month for original horror cinema. Upcoming releases recently highlighted May 2026 as an unusually strong period for non-franchise horror films, pointing to titles such as Backrooms, Obsession, Passenger, and Hokum as part of a broader wave of original genre projects.
Among those upcoming releases is A24’s Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons and scheduled for May 29, 2026, alongside supernatural romance horror film Obsession, which is set for a May 15 theatrical release.
With Hokum, Damian McCarthy continues building on the reputation established by his earlier films, delivering another atmosphere-heavy horror story rooted in folklore, grief, and psychological tension.
