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Horror film

Hokum (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Hokum (2026) movie poster

Hokum is a 2026 horror film directed by Damian Mc Carthy, starring Adam Scott as Ohm Bauman, Michael Patric and Brendan Conroy. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $25 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$25M
Echo Score
79
Metascore
76
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Hokum (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Damian Mc Carthy
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hokum About?

The premise of Hokum without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a secluded inn to scatter his parents' ashes, only to become entangled in the legend of a witch that haunts the honeymoon suite. As unsettling visions mount and a sudden disappearance occurs, Bauman is forced to confront the darkest corners of his own past.

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Cast & crew

Hokum Cast & Characters

Adam Scott leads the cast as Ohm Bauman, with Michael Patric as Fergal and Brendan Conroy as Cob. Directed by Damian Mc Carthy; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hokum

· 8 more
From the director

More from Damian Mc Carthy

More films directed by Damian Mc Carthy, best-rated first: Oddity, Caveat, Hands and How Olin Lost His Eye.

Full filmography
Ratings

Hokum Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hokum 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (70).

79 /100

Hokum Echo Score Breakdown

Hokum delivers a solid genre entry that leans heavily on atmospheric horror and effective set pieces. The film’s visual style and Adam Scott’s performance provide clear high points, while the narrative occasionally falters under its elongated, occasionally convoluted structure. Audience reactions note strong scares and inventive set design, though some find the ending underwhelming. In sum, the movie offers an enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, experience for horror enthusiasts.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    Visually, the film employs a restrained color palette and purposeful camera movement that accentuates its gothic setting. The composition of cramped corridors and a looming dumbwaiter shaft contributes to a claustrophobic mood. Editing maintains tension through well‑timed cuts, especially during jump‑scare moments. Overall, the craftsmanship supports the horror tone effectively.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    The central performance anchors the story, with the lead portraying a morally ambiguous figure that balances humor and menace. Supporting roles provide enough contrast to highlight the protagonist’s descent. Emotional beats are delivered through restrained reactions rather than overt exposition, creating a measured resonance. Consequently, the character work sustains audience investment throughout most of the film.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The plot follows a haunted hotel premise that intertwines personal quest with supernatural threats. Early acts establish clear stakes and maintain a measured pace, yet later sections stretch the narrative, introducing excessive subplots that dilute momentum. Originality lies in blending classic horror tropes with puzzle‑room mechanics, though the resolution feels somewhat abrupt. Overall, the story remains engaging despite uneven pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The sound design layers ambient creaks, faint radio static, and punctuated stingers that heighten tension. The score underlines key moments without overwhelming the scene, reinforcing the film’s eerie atmosphere. Visual effects are restrained, favoring practical set pieces that lend authenticity. Combined, these sensory elements create an immersive experience that aligns with the film’s gothic aesthetic.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Replay value rests on the film’s inventive set pieces and the satisfaction of uncovering subtle visual clues on subsequent viewings. The atmospheric build‑up and occasional humor reward repeated exposure, while the moderate runtime keeps the experience concise, though the uneven latter half may diminish enthusiasm for repeat watches. Overall, it offers reasonable incentive for genre fans to return.

Plot

Hokum Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Hokum from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Two travelers pushing through a harsh desert horizon—the air dry, the ground cracked—find their pace slowed by thirst and fate. A battle of will unfolds between a lone conquistador and a small boy as a red circle marks their path in the sand. The man clutches a bottle carrying a rolled scroll, trying to smash it open, while the boy aids in digging with a rock and pushing toward some unseen destination. ” The moment twists in on itself, revealing that the desert sequence is not a grim finale but the pages of an epilogue for a book by Ohm Bauman, Adam Scott, a celebrated writer who is wrestling with endings while typing at his desk.

Full summary

The whole story of Hokum, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Hokum Box Office & Budget

Hokum grossed $25 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 5.0 times what it cost. $17 million came from the US and Canada and $8 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2026 box office

Worldwide gross

$25M

5.0× its budget

US & Canada
$17M
International
$8M
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Hokum Trailers & Videos

12 videos: 3 trailers, 7 teasers, 1 clip and 1 featurette.

All 12 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
  • Teaser Fado
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Hokum?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor portrays the main character Ohm Bauman?

Seen Hokum?

FAQ

Hokum FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Hokum, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Hokum?

Hokum runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Hokum released?

Hokum was released on May 1, 2026.

Who directed Hokum?

Hokum was directed by Damian Mc Carthy.

More films by Damian Mc Carthy

Who is in the cast of Hokum?

Hokum stars Adam Scott as Ohm Bauman, Michael Patric as Fergal and Brendan Conroy as Cob, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Hokum make at the box office?

Hokum grossed $25 million worldwide ($17 million domestic, $8 million international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is Hokum rated?

Hokum has 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Hokum have a post-credit scene?

No. Hokum has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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