The Ending of Adam Scott's Horror 'Hokum' Explained

Released as a captivating kickoff to the summer horror season, Hokum—written and directed by Damian McCarthy and featuring Adam Scott—delves into a psychological unraveling that intertwines Irish folklore with profound personal trauma. While the film is filled with atmospheric frights and The Shining-like tension, its conclusion leaves many viewers pondering what was real and the true significance of the final moments.

At the heart of the film is Ohm (Adam Scott), a reclusive writer who journeys to a secluded hotel in Ireland. He brings along the remains of his parents, seeking closure at the location of their honeymoon. Ohm’s character is shaped by a tragic childhood incident: he accidentally shot and killed his mother, which resulted in a lifelong estrangement from his alcoholic father and a deep-seated sense of self-hatred.

As Ohm settles into the hotel, he becomes fixated on local tales of a witch trapped in the honeymoon suite. Following a mental health crisis and a suicide attempt, he is rescued by a staff member named Fiona, who mysteriously vanishes shortly thereafter.

The narrative ultimately leads Ohm to the honeymoon suite, where he finds himself ensnared by a man named Mal. The reviewer notes that Mal acts as a “mirror” to Ohm, representing the person he might become if he fully surrendered to his rage and rejected his humanity. While there are suggestions that the supernatural elements and the witch might have some grounding in reality, much of the horror is driven by Ohm’s psychological turmoil and the lore provided by the local “encyclopedia” character, Jerry.

The key to deciphering Hokum’s ending lies in the “Conquistador” story that Ohm is crafting, which frames the film:

The Opening Vision: At the outset, we witness a Conquistador and a child lost in the desert. The Conquistador contemplates breaking a bottle over the child’s head to retrieve a map trapped inside. This symbolizes Ohm’s belief that he must “kill” his own vulnerability and innocence to escape his guilt.
The Final Rewrite: By the film’s conclusion, as Ohm recuperates in a hospital bed, he revises this scene. In the new version, the Conquistador offers the child the bottle to kill him (the angry, adult self) instead. The child declines and simply discards the bottle.

This transformation signifies Ohm’s emotional journey toward self-acceptance. Rather than continuing to punish himself or expelling his humanity, he ultimately embraces the tragedy of his past.

The film employs visual mirrors to highlight Ohm’s struggle:

The Red Circle: The Conquistador operates within a red circle in the sand, symbolizing a “circle of death” or the necessity to purge something to survive.
The White Circle: In the hotel suite, Ohm draws a white circle around his bed for protection from the witch, representing his longing for safety and healing.

Hokum ultimately tells a tale of childhood trauma and the choice between remaining ensnared in a cycle of anger or discovering the path to forgiveness. While it offers “Conjuring-style” jump scares and intense atmospheric horror, its true strength lies in its ambiguity and the absence of straightforward answers.

If you seek an even more detailed explanation, I highly recommend checking this video:

What did you think of Hokum? Did you enjoy the movie?