Adam Scott and Damian McCarthy Discuss Paranormal Experiences in Hokum

Actor Adam Scott and director Damian McCarthy are discussing the intersection of folklore and fear during the promotional rollout for their new supernatural horror film, Hokum, which opened in U.S. Theaters on May 1, 2026.

The film features Scott as Ohm Bauman, a cynical author who travels to a secluded inn in Ireland to scatter the ashes of his parents. Upon arrival, Bauman discovers the location is hiding something deeply unsettling, leading to a narrative rooted in Irish folklore and the haunting of a honeymoon suite.

Speaking with On The Red Carpet, Scott noted the unique challenge of the production, as he was required to carry a significant portion of the story alone. He recalled that a few weeks into the shoot, McCarthy informed him that the schedule included 3 weeks of just you in a room, a prospect Scott described as a little daunting.

Subverting Horror Tropes

Damian McCarthy, previously known for the films Caveat and Oddity, designed Hokum to challenge the expectations of seasoned horror audiences. McCarthy explained that because viewers have seen so many entries in the genre, they often attempt to predict the timing of scares.

“They’ve seen so many horror movies so, ‘I bet it’s going to happen now’ and then my job, I feel, is to go ‘No. Good guess, but it’s actually going to be now’ and then you catch them out.”

Damian McCarthy, Director

This approach to pacing is intended to keep the audience off-balance, moving away from predictable jump scares toward a more calculated tension.

Real-Life Paranormal Encounters

During the press tour, both the lead actor and director addressed whether their own life experiences informed the film’s eerie atmosphere. Neither reported a definitive paranormal encounter, though both admitted to feeling unsettled by certain environments.

McCarthy stated that while he has felt a bad vibe in some places, he has not experienced anything out and out that would be super spooky.

Scott shared a more specific instance involving a potential rental property. He described walking into a house he intended to rent and feeling an immediate, overwhelming need to leave.

“There’s only one experience that I had where I walked into a house, I was supposed to be renting… But to… There was something there that, whether it was completely in my imagination or a vibe, whatever, I had to get out of there and not come back, so I promptly went and found a hotel room.”

Adam Scott, Actor

The film marks a departure for Scott, who has frequently appeared in ensemble casts. In interviews with The Independent, the role of Ohm Bauman has been described as a return to a more abrasive, cynical character archetype for the actor.

Hokum is currently playing in theaters.