The filmmaker behind 2024’s most terrifying movie just delivered another nightmare. NEON released the first teaser trailer for Hokum, Damian McCarthy’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed Oddity, and it promises to haunt your sleep with practical horror effects and a disturbing grinning entity lurking in the Irish woods.
Hokum Film Release Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | May 1, 2026 (United States theatrical) |
| Director/Writer | Damian McCarthy (Oddity, Caveat) |
| Lead Star | Adam Scott (Severance) |
| Distributor | NEON |
| Filming Location | West Cork, Ireland |
| Production Companies | Cweature Features, Image Nation, Spooky Pictures |
What the Trailer Reveals
The 45-second teaser wastes no time establishing dread. It opens with narration about an ancient witch who lived deep in the woods “long, long ago,” immediately followed by unsettling imagery of Adam Scott’s character Ohm Bauman wandering through a foggy Irish forest. The most disturbing visual comes at the end—a grotesque donkey-like humanoid face with an unnaturally wide grinning smile that will likely trigger nightmares.
The trailer deliberately keeps plot details minimal, focusing instead on atmosphere and practical horror effects that made McCarthy’s previous work so effective. Eagle-eyed horror fans noticed the entity’s mask bears resemblance to the wooden golem from Oddity, sparking speculation about a possible “McCarthy Extended Universe” connecting his films through recurring imagery and themes.
The Story: Grief Meets Supernatural Terror
Hokum follows reclusive horror novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes and fulfill their final wishes. Upon arrival, the inn’s staff share local legends about an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite—stories that begin consuming Ohm’s thoughts and blurring the line between folklore and reality.
As disturbing visions escalate and a shocking disappearance occurs, Ohm finds himself drawn into a nightmarish confrontation with the darkest corners of his past. The premise suggests McCarthy is exploring how grief and guilt can manifest as literal horror, a theme he masterfully handled in Oddity with its story of a blind medium seeking truth about her twin sister’s murder.
Why This Film Matters
Damian McCarthy has rapidly established himself as one of horror’s most exciting voices. His 2021 debut Caveat impressed critics with its claustrophobic tension and practical effects on a shoestring budget. But Oddity—which premiered at SXSW 2024 and won the Midnighter audience award—elevated him to must-watch status among horror enthusiasts.
Oddity became one of 2024’s most discussed horror films, earning spots on numerous “best of the year” lists for its slow-burn terror, inventive practical effects, and emotional depth. The film proved McCarthy’s ability to craft genuinely frightening experiences without relying on jump scares or CGI, instead using antique props he personally discovers while browsing vintage stores to create unsettling atmospheres.
McCarthy’s approach to horror emphasizes authenticity and craftsmanship. He acquires many props from antique shops rather than creating them artificially, lending his films a tactile, lived-in quality that makes the supernatural elements feel disturbingly real. The main witch mask in Hokum may very well be another such discovery.
Adam Scott’s Horror Debut
Hokum marks Adam Scott’s first major horror leading role—an interesting expansion for an actor best known for comedic performances in Parks and Recreation and dramatic work in HBO’s Severance. Scott’s casting as a reclusive novelist dealing with parental loss and psychological unraveling suggests McCarthy wanted someone who could convey vulnerability and intellectual deterioration convincingly.
The supporting cast includes Peter Coonan (Bad Sisters), David Wilmot (Bodkin), Florence Ordesh, Will O’Connell, Michael Patric, Brendan Conroy, Siox C, Austin Amelio, and Ezra Carlisle—a mix of Irish acting talent that should enhance the film’s authentic regional atmosphere.
NEON’s Horror Dominance
NEON’s acquisition of Hokum at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival continues the distributor’s impressive horror streak. The company has become synonymous with elevated horror through releases like Longlegs (2024), which became one of the decade’s highest-grossing horror films, and other acclaimed titles that balance artistic ambition with commercial appeal.
By pairing McCarthy’s proven horror craftsmanship with Adam Scott’s star power and theatrical distribution, NEON appears positioned to deliver another box office success. The film’s modest budget combined with McCarthy’s growing reputation and Scott’s mainstream appeal makes Hokum a strong bet for profitability.
For more horror film news and entertainment updates, visit TechnoSports.
Production Background
Principal photography took place in McCarthy’s hometown of West Cork, Ireland, in 2025, utilizing the region’s naturally atmospheric landscapes—misty forests, ancient stone buildings, and isolated countryside that perfectly suit Irish folk horror traditions. Filming locally allowed McCarthy intimate knowledge of locations while supporting Irish film production.
The production team includes Image Nation (Late Night with the Devil), Spooky Pictures (Barbarian), and Team Thrives as co-financier, bringing together companies with proven horror credentials and resources to realize McCarthy’s vision.
What Makes McCarthy’s Horror Special
Unlike modern horror that often relies on CGI creatures and excessive gore, McCarthy crafts fear through suggestion, atmosphere, and practical effects. His films reward patient viewers willing to sit with discomfort rather than demanding constant stimulation. The dread in his work comes from what you glimpse briefly or sense lurking just off-screen rather than explicit violence.
His narratives also ground supernatural terror in genuine human emotion—grief, guilt, trauma—making the horror feel personally relevant rather than abstract. When characters encounter the supernatural in McCarthy’s films, it often represents externalized psychological suffering, creating horror that resonates emotionally while delivering visceral scares.
Anticipation for May 2026
With horror having an exceptionally strong 2025—including hits like Longlegs, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Smile 2—2026 is positioned to continue the genre’s theatrical success. Hokum arrives early in the year when horror releases face less competition, potentially allowing it to dominate conversation through word-of-mouth.
The May 1 release date strategically positions Hokum ahead of summer blockbusters while giving it breathing room to build an audience. If it matches Oddity’s critical reception and McCarthy’s growing fanbase shows up, Hokum could become 2026’s first major horror success.
Check out the Hokum trailer now on NEON’s official channels, and prepare for your nightmarish Irish vacation when the film opens in theaters May 1, 2026. For comprehensive horror movie coverage and entertainment news, follow TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to watch Oddity before seeing Hokum?
Q: Will Hokum receive a wide theatrical release?
A: Yes, NEON acquired worldwide distribution rights at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and plans a theatrical release in the United States starting May 1, 2026. NEON typically gives its horror acquisitions significant theatrical support, as seen with Longlegs’ successful wide release in 2024. While international release dates haven’t been confirmed yet (including UK distribution), the film should receive proper theatrical exhibition given NEON’s confidence in McCarthy’s commercial appeal and the success of Oddity, which demonstrated his ability to attract audiences beyond hardcore horror fans.
