Adam Scott is stepping deeper into the shadows. Neon has released the first teaser for Hokum, a folk-horror film that places the Severance star at the center of an unsettling descent into grief, folklore, and something ancient that refuses to stay buried.
Directed by Damian McCarthy, the filmmaker behind the breakout horror hit Oddity, Hokum signals another chilling chapter in Neon’s increasingly dominant horror slate, one that leans heavily into atmosphere, practical terror, and psychological unease.
A Grieving Writer Drawn Into the Dark
Scott leads the cast as Ohm Bauman, a reclusive horror novelist still reeling from the deaths of his parents. Seeking closure, he travels to a remote Irish inn to honor their final wish, scattering their ashes in a place tied to family memory.
Instead of peace, Ohm finds warnings. Locals speak in hushed tones of an ancient witch said to haunt the surrounding woods, and what begins as folklore quickly bleeds into reality. The teaser suggests that Ohm becomes trapped in a spiraling series of visions, each one pulling him closer to a past he may have unknowingly inherited.
A Teaser Built on Dread, Not Answers
Neon’s teaser is spare and deeply unnerving. It places Ohm alone in the forest, surrounded by silence broken only by distorted whispers and the creeping sense that something is watching.
The most striking image is brief but unforgettable: a grotesque, donkey-like humanoid face stretched into an unnatural grin. Paired with ominous voiceover narration identifying the presence as an ancient witch, the teaser prioritizes mood over exposition, offering just enough to unsettle without revealing its hand.
Damian McCarthy’s Signature Touch Returns
McCarthy appears to be continuing the visual and tactile approach that defined Oddity. The environments feel weathered and lived-in, and the creature design hints strongly at practical effects rather than digital shortcuts.
The mask seen in the teaser bears resemblance to the handcrafted horrors of McCarthy’s previous work, evoking antique materials and folk artifacts. Given the director’s known habit of sourcing props from antique shops, the film’s central image feels rooted in real, tangible objects, which only heightens the unease.
Adam Scott’s Expanding Horror Path
While Scott rose to prominence through comedy roles in Parks and Recreation, Party Down, and Step Brothers, his recent career choices suggest a deliberate shift. His Emmy-nominated performance in Severance proved his ability to carry psychological intensity, and Hokum looks poised to push that further.
Scott’s early genre roots also resurface here. Long before his comedic fame, he appeared in Hellraiser: Bloodline, later followed by The Return and Krampus. More recently, he played a supporting role in Oz Perkins’ The Monkey, making Hokum feel less like a detour and more like a return.
Neon’s Horror Momentum Continues
Neon has steadily transformed into one of horror’s most reliable studios. After balancing prestige hits like Parasite and Anora, the distributor has leaned aggressively into genre filmmaking.
Recent successes such as Immaculate, Longlegs, and The Monkey have proven that Neon can marry artistic ambition with audience appeal. Hokum fits neatly into that trajectory, especially with its May 1, 2026 release positioning it early in what could be a strong year for the studio.
Secrets Still Buried
The teaser carefully avoids explaining how the witch connects to Ohm’s personal history. A fleeting shot of a family photograph hints at deeper roots, possibly suggesting a multigenerational curse or inherited trauma tied to the land itself.
That restraint works in the film’s favor. Rather than spelling out its mythology, Hokum invites speculation, allowing dread to grow in the absence of clarity.
Final Thoughts
With its eerie imagery, restrained storytelling, and commitment to tactile horror, Hokum is shaping up to be another slow-burn nightmare from Neon. Adam Scott’s haunted performance, combined with Damian McCarthy’s knack for practical frights, positions the film as one of 2026’s most intriguing horror releases.
If the teaser is any indication, Hokum will not rely on jump scares alone. It plans to linger, long after the lights go out.
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