AroView: Top-drawer ghoulish fun from Ireland that will appeal to horror buffs as well as fans of old school spooks like Twilight Zone and Tales of the Unexpected.

Adam Scott plays a cynical, reclusive American writer holed up in an Irish vintage hotel where his own dark baggage gets mixed in with the suspicious shenanigans of the eccentric villagers. In classic folk horror tradition, it’s the third acclaimed feature from Damian McCarthy, a writer-director who knows how to spin a decent yarn through assured command of visuals and editing, and a seriocomic tone that is fully aware of its own absurdity. In other words, it’s ‘hokum’ in a good way.

“What could have easily been an overstuffed confluence of ideas comes together so effectively because of McCarthy’s masterful command of what scares audiences.” ~Monica Castillo, The Playlist

“The film’s simple premise is supported by smart plotting, nimble editing and evocative sound, and lands with frightening force.” ~Robert Daniels, Screen Daily

“Hokum rises above so many films like it because it takes its character’s plight seriously, never winking at the audience, even as the impossible happens.” ~Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com