Hokum
The brief
Damian McCarthy turns what could be standard haunted hotel fare into something genuinely unnerving, letting dread seep in through creaky floorboards and half-heard whispers rather than cheap scares. Adam Scott sheds his comedic persona completely, playing the grieving novelist with a brittle intensity that makes you question everything he tells us about his past. The pacing is deliberately slow-burn, building an atmosphere so thick with unease that when the supernatural elements finally surface, they feel inevitable rather than shocking. Perfect for fans of The Changeling or anyone who thinks modern horror relies too heavily on jump scares instead of actual fear.
The verdict
If you crave atmospheric horror that builds genuine dread through slow-burn tension rather than cheap jolts, this is a masterclass in psychological terror anchored by Adam Scott's transformative dramatic performance. If you prefer fast-paced scares or can't tolerate deliberately methodical pacing over nearly two hours, skip this for something with more immediate thrills.
Watch with
- 👤 Horror fans who appreciate atmosphere over jump scares
- 👫 Those seeking genuine psychological terror
- ⚠️ Skip if you need fast-paced scares
Heads up
- Disturbing supernatural imagery and visions (moderate)
- Character disappearance and implied violence (moderate)
- Themes of grief and psychological breakdown (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Damian McCarthy
- Cast
- Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Connell, Michael Patric, Siox C
Official synopsis
When novelist Ohm Bauman retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents' ashes, he is consumed by tales of
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Both feature isolated protagonists haunted by past trauma in claustrophobic settings.
Total runtime: 1h 47m + 1h 29m = 3h 16m
