{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 117 - Hokum","description":"\ud83c\udfac Mindframes Show Notes Hokum (2026) Directed by: Damian McCarthy Written by: Damian McCarthy Starring: Adam Scott IMDB: https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt35628972\/  Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss Hokum (2026), a slow-burn Irish folk horror film from Damian McCarthy centered on a cynical horror writer who travels to a haunted inn to scatter his parents\u2019 ashes\u2014only to uncover hidden violence, buried grief, and a terrifying supernatural presence lurking within the hotel. The discussion explores the film\u2019s atmospheric craftsmanship, old-school suspense techniques, creature design, and overwhelming sense of dread. Along the way, the hosts compare Hokum to films like The Shining, Hereditary, The Witch, and Barbarian, while debating whether the film\u2019s emotional revelations are genuinely effective or too indebted to familiar Stephen King-style trauma storytelling.  \ud83e\udde0 Thematic Discussion Hokum explores the relationship between hidden spaces and hidden emotional wounds. The film presents grief as something buried, locked away, and left unresolved until it begins to poison both individuals and communities. Through the haunted architecture of the inn and Om\u2019s suppressed guilt surrounding his parents, the film suggests that what we refuse to confront eventually manifests externally\u2014whether psychologically, socially, or supernaturally.  \u23f1\ufe0f Timestamps    Time Segment     00:00 Intro &amp;amp; setup   00:35 Film premise + synopsis   01:20 Damian McCarthy discussion   04:10 Adam Scott performance discussion   10:15 Atmosphere &amp;amp; cinematography   14:20 Use of space, darkness, and suspense   17:30 Sound design analysis   19:40 Creature design discussion   22:10 Stephen King influences   26:00 Michael\u2019s criticism of exposition   30:00 \u201cOld-school suspense\u201d discussion   34:10 Dave\u2019s review (\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606)   39:00 Michael\u2019s review (\u2605\u2605\u2605\u00bd\u2606)   41:30 \u26a0\ufe0f Spoiler section begins   42:00 The witch interpretation debate   45:10 Om\u2019s grief and trauma reveal   49:20 The hidden room &amp;amp; Fiona mystery   53:00 The hotel as metaphorical space   56:15 Discussion of suicide &amp;amp; repression   01:00:40 Theme breakdown: hidden truths   01:05:00 Final interpretation debate   01:08:30 Closing thoughts     \ud83c\udf9e\ufe0f Films &amp;amp; Directors Mentioned   The Shining   Hereditary   The Witch   Barbarian   Heretic   The Monkey   Men   Caveat   Oddity   Stephen King   Alfred Hitchcock   Ari Aster    \ud83d\udcec Contact \ud83c\udf10 https:\/\/mindframesfilm.com \ud83d\udcd8 Facebook: Mindframes \ud83c\udfa7 Now Playing Network \u2709\ufe0f info@mindframesfilm.com ","author_name":"Mindframe(s)","author_url":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mindframesmovies","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41402260\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/202248795"}