Bold shift ahead: Hokum is coming, and it’s destined to redefine the eerie frontier in modern horror. The next nightmare from Oddity’s brain Trust, written and directed by Damian McCarthy, has secured its release date and a fresh glimpse of what’s to come. Hokum will hit theaters on May 1, 2026, distributed by Neon.
The press material unveils a new look at Adam Scott, known for Severance and Krampus, who leads the cast. In the story, Scott plays a horror novelist who travels to a secluded Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, only to discover the inn harbors a chilling rumor of a witch lingering in the shadows.
Supporting roles feature Peter Coonan (The Alienist: Angel of Darkness) and David Wilmot (Station Eleven), underscoring a strong ensemble for the supernatural tale.
The production brings together Spooky Pictures’ Roy Lee (Weapons) and Steven Schneider (Insidious) with Image Nation’s Derek Dauchy (Late Night with the Devil) and Tailored Film’s Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde, and Mairtín de Barra. Executive producers include Ben Ross (Late Night With the Devil), Dan Kagan (Longlegs), Rami Yasin (Late Night with the Devil), and Andrew Childs (The Long Walk).
Schneider’s statement highlights the project’s promise: Damian McCarthy’s fresh, unique directorial approach paired with Adam Scott’s formidable lead performance could make Hokum something truly special. The team expresses excitement for audiences worldwide to experience their collaboration.
Controversy corner: This project raises the question of how new takes on familiar haunted-hotel tropes can balance originality with the expectations of horror audiences. Do you think a fresh vision can revitalize a haunted-inn narrative, or will it feel like a rebranded classic? Share your thoughts in the comments.
