Hokum
Summary
Glenn Weldon hosts Jordan Cruciola and Monica Castillo to review the horror film *Hocum*, starring Adam Scott as a misanthropic writer in a haunted Irish inn. The guests praise the movie’s atmospheric darkness and Scott’s unlikable performance, debating whether his trauma backstory enhances or detracts from the scare factor. They also discuss director Damian McCarthy’s style and the film’s effective use of folk horror tropes.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and intro to Pop Culture Happy Hour
Guest introductions and plot summary of Hocum
Jordan Cruciola's review: Adam Scott's performance and atmosphere
Monica Castillo on cinematography, darkness, and folk horror elements
Debate on the necessity of the trauma backstory
Cultural differences in hospitality and character behavior
Director Damian McCarthy's previous films and recurring motifs
Character analysis: Jerk vs. Sociopath and narrative resolution
The history of trauma and metaphor in horror cinema
Story within a story and final recommendations
Outro, credits, and closing sponsor messages
Listen ad-free on Castria