Hokum 4K Review: Adam Scott Leads an Atmospheric Folk-Horror Nightmare

Hokum arrives on 4K Ultra HD on August 11, 2026, from NEON.

Folk horror has long been one of my favorite corners of the genre. There’s something inherently unsettling about stories rooted in centuries-old legends, isolated locations, and communities that believe wholeheartedly in things an outsider dismisses as superstition. The Wicker Man has long been viewed as the perfect execution, and for a while Midsommer was the only modern attempt that rivaled it. But Writer-director Damian McCarthy (Oddity, Caveat) understands the genre’s appeal, using the remote Irish setting of Hokum to craft a horror movie in which mood and atmosphere are every bit as important as outright scares.

Adam Scott stars as Ohm Bauman, an American novelist who travels to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes near the place where they honeymooned. Ohm quickly becomes entangled in the local folklore surrounding a witch supposedly haunting the inn’s sealed honeymoon suite. McCarthy allows that mythology to slowly envelop both Ohm and the audience, creating an effective slow-burn descent into the supernatural.

Why Hokum matters

Atmosphere is everything in Hokum. McCarthy uses the isolation of rural Ireland, the aging inn, and the surrounding folklore to establish a persistent sense that something isn’t quite right. Rather than constantly throwing monsters or violence at the screen, the movie allows its setting to do much of the heavy lifting. The location feels steeped in history.

Adam Scott (Step Brothers, Madame Web) is perfectly suited to that approach, delivering a performance that is solemn, snarky, and emotionally walled off from practically everyone around him. Scott never overplays those characteristics. Instead, he delivers a restrained performance that allows glimpses of grief and vulnerability to emerge beneath the character’s abrasive exterior. It’s a significantly darker performance than audiences accustomed to his comedic work may expect, and his skepticism makes him an ideal protagonist for a story built around ancient superstition.

At times, Hokum moves a little too deliberately for its own good. The emphasis on mood means viewers looking for constant scares may find stretches of the movie uneventful. My teenage daughter emphatically declared the movie “boring,” but I disagree. I appreciate the slow-burn approach to building atmosphere and building towards a significant payoff. For fans of folk horror, that patience is largely rewarded. McCarthy understands that sometimes the suggestion of something lurking just beyond our understanding is more effective than simply showing it.

Video quality

Presented in 2160p Ultra High Definition, Hokum looks fantastic on 4K. The film’s muted photography and shadow-heavy environments are perfectly suited to the format, with strong detail allowing the textures of the aging inn and surrounding landscape to shine.

More importantly, the presentation preserves the gloomy visual aesthetic that’s so essential to the movie’s atmosphere. Dark interiors remain detailed and appropriately ominous, while the exterior locations emphasize the isolation that drives so much of the film’s tension.

Audio quality

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is equally effective. Hokum isn’t the type of horror movie that requires a bombastic sound mix, instead relying on environmental sounds, subtle movement, and moments of silence to create tension.

Dialogue remains clear throughout, while the surround channels effectively expand the atmosphere beyond the screen. It’s a restrained mix that complements McCarthy’s approach to horror rather than overwhelming it.

Special features

• The Making of Hokum
• Jack the Donkey: A Family Favorite
• Feature Commentary with Damian McCarthy
• Teaser
• Trailer

It’s a solid collection of supplemental material, with The Making of Hokum and McCarthy’s feature commentary providing the most substantial insight into the production. Jack the Donkey: A Family Favorite is a fun addition that highlights one of the movie’s more memorable supporting players.

Packaging and presentation

The 4K arrives in a standard case housed inside a slipcover utilizing the film’s theatrical artwork. It’s an attractive presentation that captures the dark, mysterious tone of the movie, even if collectors hoping for newly commissioned artwork won’t find it here.

Does it have a slipcover? Yes

Does it feature original artwork? No

Does it include a digital copy? No

Is it worth buying on 4K?

Yes. Hokum is exactly the type of horror movie that benefits from a strong physical-media presentation. The atmospheric photography looks excellent in 4K, while the 5.1 audio allows the quieter elements of McCarthy’s soundscape to become an important part of the experience.

The movie itself isn’t flawless, and its deliberately slow pacing won’t work for everyone, but its commitment to Irish folklore, unsettling atmosphere, and Scott’s wonderfully closed-off central performance make it an easy recommendation for folk-horror fans.

Is it worth a blind purchase?

Yes, especially if you appreciate slower-burning horror that values atmosphere over outright scares.

Hokum isn’t interested in delivering a relentless barrage of horror. Instead, it allows its setting, folklore, and characters to gradually build an overwhelming sense of unease. For viewers who enjoy that style of filmmaking, this 4K release is absolutely worth adding to the collection.

Purchase your copy of Hokum on 4K from Amazon here.