At CinemaCon 2026, actor Adam Scott, known for his versatile career spanning comedy and drama, including the hit Apple TV+ series "Severance," was honored with an award for Excellence in Acting. During an exclusive interview with Collider's Steven Weintraub, Scott delved into his latest horror film "Hokum," his profound love for the genre, his film preferences, and provided updates on the highly anticipated upcoming season of "Severance."

Scott, a self-proclaimed massive fan of horror, is returning to the genre with Neon's folk horror movie "Hokum," which is set to open in theaters on May 1. Written and directed by Damian McCarthy, the film follows author Ohm Bauman (played by Scott) as he travels to a secluded inn in the Irish countryside to scatter his parents' ashes. His personal retreat takes a sinister turn when he encounters mysterious folktales of a witch haunting a closed-off honeymoon suite. What begins as a seemingly harmless fairy tale quickly becomes terrifying, leading to a shocking disappearance that forces Bauman to confront his past. Scott praised McCarthy as a special filmmaker who prioritizes character and story, making "Hokum" "uniquely terrifying" and deeply involving for the audience. He recounted screening the film at South by Southwest, where full screams erupted from the audience, affirming its scary impact.

Reflecting on his passion for horror, Scott shared that he grew up in the 1980s, a "great time for horror movies," citing classics like "Friday the 13th" films, "The Thing," "Poltergeist," and "The Shining" as formative experiences. He particularly enjoys the communal experience of watching horror films in theaters, noting "Hereditary" as an "incredible experience." This love for the genre influenced his decision to take on "Hokum," drawn by its character-driven approach which ensures emotional involvement before the scares begin.

The interview also explored Scott's cinematic tastes, revealing a discerning eye for filmmaking. When asked about his favorite directors, Scott quickly named "Inception" as his top Christopher Nolan film and "Pan's Labyrinth" for Guillermo del Toro. His pick for Martin Scorsese proved more "controversial": while "The King of Comedy" is a strong contender, Scott passionately defended "The Irishman" as a "masterpiece," recalling seeing it twice in a movie theater and emphasizing the importance of viewing it in a single sitting or theatrical setting to fully appreciate its depth, despite its three-and-a-half-hour runtime. For Steven Spielberg, "Temple of Doom" stood out. His favorite Stanley Kubrick film is "The Shining," which he has seen the most, but he also expressed deep admiration for "Barry Lyndon," especially after experiencing a remastered 35-millimeter version at Cannes, marveling at its visuals and performances, particularly the candlelit scenes.

Scott also touched upon the challenges and joys of watching movies as an industry insider versus a fan. He recalled hitting a "wall" as a teenager, struggling to enjoy films like "Awakenings" due to too much technical knowledge. Now, for highly anticipated films, he prefers to avoid all behind-the-scenes information, plot details, or stories, wanting his "powder to be as dry as possible" to allow for pure immersion. However, he noted that it's possible for both things to happen simultaneously: admiring the craft and performances while still becoming emotionally invested in the story and characters, likening it to the "suspension of disbelief that we all crave" when going to the movies. He playfully referenced Nicole Kidman's famous AMC ad, concluding that "it feels so good to get hurt in a place like this."

Regarding "Severance," fans can anticipate an exciting new season. Scott confirmed that filming for the upcoming season is set to begin "soon." He has read the scripts and expressed great enthusiasm, assuring fans that "it's going to be great." He noted the excitement among the cast and crew, who are "raring to get back" after a couple of years since they wrapped Season 2, indicating a readiness for what is likely Season 3. While tight-lipped on details, his excitement suggests a promising continuation for the acclaimed series.