A refreshing horror movie

I will keep this one a bit short and sweet because I don't want to possibly give any spoilers as this movie subverted my expectations (in a good way). I think Hokum is the best original (as in not a remake or sequel) horror movie to release since Zach Cregger's "Weapons". I was invested from the moment the movie started as it takes no time setting up the pace of the movie. Hokum shines its ability to flesh out its characters in a short run time.

Ohm Bauman played by Adam Scott, starts as a character that you hope gets offed ASAP but by the end of the film you are rooting for him. Each character in the supporting cast also felt important. No character felt useless or dumb (which is usually what happens to supporting characters in horror movies).

The plot was original and refreshing and all the jumpscares actually were tasteful and attributed to the overall tone and atmosphere of the movie. From the second act to the end, I felt tension but not tension that was stretched too far. Each act was well thought out and paced perfectly.

The cinematography and lighting were hands down my favorite parts of the film. So many shots were creative with its lighting and setting up a constant claustrophobic atmosphere that helped the previously mentioned tension. I was constantly left wondering if I was supposed to be seeing something, but that felt like the point until I actually saw something.

I highly recommend this film as it felt like a breathe of fresh air in the horror genre, especially in the subgenre foreigner vacations of at a hotel where something is off.