AceShowbiz - Hokum has emerged as a fresh horror movie that powerfully captures the essence of Stephen King’s storytelling style. Known as the King of Horror, Stephen King has crafted iconic tales of suspense and terror, with classics such as Misery, The Dark Tower, The Shining, and The Mist. Since his debut novel Carrie in 1974, many of King's works have been adapted into films and television series, inspiring a wave of filmmakers to emulate his chilling narrative voice. Recent films like Scott Derrickson’s The Black Phone and Robert Eggers’ The Witch reflect this enduring influence. Now, Neon’s supernatural thriller Hokum joins this lineage, earning strong acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Hokum holds an impressive 87% approval rating based on 119 critical reviews, while audience scores are nearly as positive at 82%. The film’s storyline centers on a haunted hotel, evoking echoes of King’s famed settings in The Shining and 1408. The plot follows a novelist, played by Adam Scott, who travels to an Irish hotel to scatter his parents’ ashes while battling writer’s block. Upon discovering local lore about a witch haunting the hotel’s honeymoon suite and the mysterious disappearance of a staff member, he gradually uncovers dark and unsettling truths.

Many critics have singled out Scott’s performance as a career highlight, praising his nuanced portrayal of a snarky yet emotionally vulnerable protagonist. If the current ratings hold, Hokum would rank as his fifth highest-rated film to date, behind Passenger Side, Little Evil, Who Loves the Sun, and Other People. The film’s director, Damian McCarthy, has also garnered acclaim for his ability to craft a suspenseful atmosphere rooted in supernatural folklore and punctuated by well-executed jump scares. This is McCarthy’s third feature as a filmmaker, following two well-received films, Oddity and Caveat, both of which scored above 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.

In a review for ScreenRant, Brandon Zachary commended McCarthy’s work on Hokum, calling it “a terrifically composed throwback that knows when to play things grounded and when to embrace the horror for its full potential.” Awarding the film 9 out of 10 stars, Zachary also highlighted Scott’s performance as “finding the right balance of silence, snark, and sincerity to deliver a top-tier horror lead role.”

While Hokum is not based directly on any of King's novels, several adaptations of his work remain in development. Notably, horror specialist Mike Flanagan is working on an eight-episode series adaptation of Carrie, a television show based on The Dark Tower, and a new film adaptation of The Mist. Additionally, series like The Institute and It: Welcome to Derry have been renewed for second seasons, keeping King’s legacy active on screen.

Looking ahead, McCarthy has revealed plans to create “one more out-and-out horror film” to apply all he has learned so far. Speaking with Polygon, he described this upcoming project as “self-contained, almost like a classic haunted house movie.” However, he also indicated that after this film, he intends to move away from the horror genre.

Meanwhile, Adam Scott has a busy year ahead with two more movies slated for release: the sci-fi thriller The Saviors and the crime drama The Whisper Man. He will also return as Mark Scout in the upcoming third season of the Apple TV series Severance, although production has yet to begin.

The supporting cast of Hokum includes Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, and Florence Ordesh. The story was penned by McCarthy, who also directed the film. Producers on the project are Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Derek Dauchy, Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde, and Mairtín de Barra. Hokum is currently playing in theaters nationwide, continuing to build momentum among horror fans and critics alike.