Neon premieres Hokum, a horror film that pays tribute to Stephen King's style. With an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 119 reviews and an 82% audience approval rating, the film combines the atmosphere of The Shining with the tension of 1408, presenting a classic haunted hotel story that has captivated critics.
The engine of fear: how sound technology and practical effects heighten tension 🎬
The production has prioritized practical effects over CGI to maintain visual authenticity, according to reports from the technical team. The multi-channel sound design, with recordings in real abandoned hotel locations, creates an immersive atmosphere. The cinematography uses dim lighting and long tracking shots to immerse the viewer in the claustrophobia of the setting, a technique inherited from Kubrick's cinema.
Spoiler: the hotel had no wifi, but the terror has a good connection 📡
The scariest thing about Hokum is not the ghosts, but watching the protagonists without cell signal in an endless hallway. Critics praise the film for avoiding cheap scares, although the audience wonders if the true horror is not being able to order an Uber to escape. At least the 82% approval rating confirms that analog fear is still alive.