‘Hokum’: The Author, the Witch and the Dumbwaiter …

Being a writer, I was drawn to the 2026 horror movie Hokum because it revolves around an author. Another bonus is that it stars Adam Scott. I’m fond of Adam Scott in the same way I’m fond of Paul Rudd—they seem like such normal and relatable guys. Scott could be my neighbor or that co-worker who plays pickleball with the boss. 

In the movie, Scott’s Ohm Bauman is a successful, but also bitter and hard-drinking, novelist. One reason for his unhappiness may be that he’s haunted by the death of his mother, who died when he was young. He decides to travel to a remote place in Ireland where his parents honeymooned and were happy to scatter their ashes.

When he arrives, he overhears the hotel owner telling two kids the story of the local witch. Later, the hotel staff tell Bauman there is a witch in the honeymoon suite. It’s always locked so she can’t escape. 

One of the staff goes missing during Bauman’s stay. After the hotel closes for the season, he breaks in with a friend who’s convinced the missing woman is in the honeymoon suite.

This may not be an especially memorable movie, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I like how it relies on the old hotel’s dingy corridors, dim lighting and dark corners to evoke a pervasive atmosphere of dread. 

There are also a few memorable characters. I liked Scott’s Bauman even though he’s an irascible and thoroughly unpleasant character. Also worth mentioning is bellhop and aspiring writer Alby. Yes, most authors will do anything to push their books. Alby’s persistence, however, reaches a whole new level. 

Most of the movie’s scares come in the second half, when Bauman is in the honeymoon suite. My spine most definitely tingled, and kudos to the film for its effective use of a dumbwaiter to ratchet up the tension. 

I recommend the movie if you’ve some time to while away, and you’re not up for anything gory or too scary. You’ll enjoy it even more if you like Ireland and Irish folklore.