Adam Scott stars in a haunted hotel horror film that wastes its potential through uneven execution and predictable scares. The Irish-set supernatural thriller, titled Hokum, joins the crowded haunted house subgenre—but it struggles to justify itself beyond a familiar setup and jump-scares borrowed from better films.

What ‘Hokum’ Actually Delivers

Scott’s character checks into a remote Irish resort with a dark past. On paper, this works—isolation, atmospheric setting, and Scott’s comedic timing could make for solid horror. The film doesn’t capitalize on any of it.

Instead, you get cheap scares and characters you don’t care about. The horror effects revolutionizing modern cinema have raised expectations significantly, and this haunted hotel thriller falls short.

Why This Haunted Hotel Misses Its Mark

The script doesn’t give Scott much to work with. His character lacks depth, and the pacing limps through the opening before rushing through moments that should matter.

The haunted hotel’s backstory feels borrowed from films like The Shining or The Haunting—except without the psychological depth that made those films stick with you. By the third act, you’re scrolling through your phone instead of gripping your armrest.

Here’s the thing: the filmmakers cared more about mood than actual storytelling. A haunted hotel needs rules, consequences, and real danger. This one delivers none of that.

Adam Scott’s Performance Can’t Save It

Scott brings his signature deadpan humor to the role. Even his timing can’t salvage thin material, though. He’s done better work in horror-comedy projects that actually understood how to balance both genres.

Here, he’s trapped in a story going nowhere—both literally and narratively.

Should You Watch?

Don’t bother. The haunted house subgenre has produced much stronger films recently. If you want atmospheric supernatural horror, look elsewhere for something with real stakes and originality. This one’s forgettable—and that’s the real horror here.