EP. 117 Hokum (2026)
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The hosts of *Two Guys, One Screen* deliver a chaotic, self-aware, and relentlessly vulgar review of the 2026 horror film *Hokum*, directed by Damian McCarthy. What begins as a joke-filled intro—complete with AI-generated banter about their own podcast name—quickly devolves into a stream-of-consciousness critique of the film’s failed atmosphere, underdeveloped horror, and confusing narrative structure. The podcasters dismiss *Hokum* as a visually atmospheric but emotionally hollow experience, criticizing Adam Scott’s emotionally flat performance, the underwhelming witch antagonist, and the film’s reliance on psychedelic ambiguity that undermines its own stakes. They argue the movie tries to be a folk horror mystery but lands as a pretentious, over-stylized mess with too many half-baked themes—Irish folklore, guilt, hallucinations, and a mysterious 'door hopper'—that never cohere. Despite some strong cinematography and a few eerie moments, the hosts conclude it’s a film that promises terror but delivers only vibes. Their final verdict? A lukewarm 2.5 to 3.5 out of 5, with one host calling it 'Keeper' but executed worse, and both agreeing it should’ve gone straight to streaming. The episode is less a review and more a performance of comedic dysfunction—filled with absurd tangents about goat symbolism, 'heifer' definitions, Patreon exclusives, and personal rants about bad theater experiences.
Hokum fails as horror because it prioritizes atmosphere over payoff—'all bark and no bite,' with weak jump scares and no emotional stakes.
Adam Scott’s performance is emotionally flat, making his character’s trauma feel detached and unconvincing despite the heavy backstory.
The film’s central twist—revealing the protagonist was on psychedelics—undermines the entire narrative, making viewers question what was real.
The witch and her 'pit' are visually inspired by Disturbed’s album *The Lost Children*, but the symbolism lacks depth and delivery.
The movie’s setting—a haunted hotel with a basement, kitchen, and mysterious shaft—is confusing and illogical, undermining its own mystery.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Podcast Intro: AI Knows Us
The hosts open with surreal, joke-heavy banter, including a fake AI conversation with Grok that correctly identifies their podcast name, intro, and even their last name. They celebrate Grok’s 'recognition' of their identity.
Theatrical Misery & Bad Coke
Nick recounts a disastrous moviegoing experience: getting a work call mid-screening, sitting next to a couple, and being stared down by a massive man. He vents about AMC’s flat Coke and the theater’s poor service.
Hokum: A Visual Vibe, No Substance
The hosts begin reviewing *Hokum*, noting its visual similarities to *Oddity* and its atmospheric, neon-heavy aesthetic. They express confusion about the film’s tone and structure, calling it 'horror adjacent' rather than true horror.
Cast Reactions: 'Not Fucking It'
The hosts mock the cast with a running joke: 'I’m not fucking this guy.' They critique Adam Scott’s performance, Peter Coonan’s name, David Wilmot’s red hair, and Will O’Connell’s Ice Cream Man role.
Narrative Confusion & the Psychedelic Twist
The hosts dissect the film’s central twist—Adam Scott was on psilocybin the entire time. They argue this retcons the entire movie, making it feel like a 'high tension' film with a lazy narrative escape.
“Honey, I shrunk your labia. Honey, your labia fucking shrunk.”
“It's literally like, what's that movie you fucking hate that I like? And it's... I think it's French. High tension? Yeah, it's like high tension.”
“I'm giving it a three and a half. That's high? To me. If you liked it, you liked it. That's fine. I don't care.”
Hosts
nick
person
gerald
person
adam scott
person
grok
product
polar express
media
damian mccarthy
person
little shop of horrors
media
rick moranis
person
elis roth
person
big spooky productions
organization
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