June 2026 Movie Reviews: Hokum, Pressure, Power Ballad
It’s been a few months since I’ve seen any recent releases that I found truly worthwhile. Fortunately, whether you’re in the mood for horror, a war drama based on a true story, or a lighthearted musical comedy, this roundup features three films that are all worth watching.
Hokum (2026)
Neon, 107 minutes
Hokum is the newest horror film by filmmaker Damian McCarthy. In 2024, I reviewed another of McCarthy’s films, Oddity, a movie that was more creative and original than Hokum, but not as good a film overall.
If there’s one major knock against Hokum, it is that its story isn’t particularly unique or different. It seems like many newer horror films do try to find a creative hook that really differentiates them from other films of the genre. Hokum is more of a classic haunted-hotel-type of story, though it’s an extremely well-crafted one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The film has some quality acting, particularly from lead Adam Scott, who plays a writer who travels to an old inn in Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes, unaware that the inn harbors a sinister presence. Hokum features better-than-standard atmospheric horror, and there are some genuinely frightening moments.
Ultimately, this is one of the better newer horror movies I’ve seen. I’d definitely recommend it to horror fans, specifically those in the mood for a creepy haunting tale.
Grade: 8/10
Pressure (2026)
Working Title Films, 100 minutes
Pressure is a war drama that tells the true story of what transpired before the launch of the D-Day invasion. Specifically, the movie centers on whether General Dwight D. Eisenhower should postpone the attack due to the weather. James Stagg serves as the film’s protagonist. He’s the chief meteorologist called in to assess what the weather will be like on June 5th, the date the operation is scheduled.
The movie takes a microscope to an element of D-Day (and its preparation) that’s seldom talked about: the role of weather and how important it was to the outcome. Due to this focus, the movie is dialogue-heavy with most of the scenes being people in rooms talking. For a war movie, there certainly isn’t much in the way of actual action.
This makes sense considering the film is based on a similarly title stage play. Pressure does still very much maintain a play-like feel with relatively few locations.
Overall, if learning about meteorology’s impact on the invasion planning seems interesting to you, you’ll likely enjoy Pressure. It’s a well-made film with some quality acting, though none of its components are fantastic or groundbreaking in any way. The movie is a tad short, but I found the subject matter engaging enough for this to be a film I’d recommend to history buffs.
Grade: 7.5/10
Power Ballad (2026)
Lionsgate, 98 minutes
Power Ballad is a musical comedy drama from filmmaker John Carney. Carney is best known for his 2007 film, Once, a movie that I’ve watched multiple times and really like. While Power Ballad is nowhere near as good as that one, it’s still an enjoyable film that’s a great choice for those looking for something lighter to watch.
The movie follows a wedding singer named Rick who gave up his dreams of stardom to start a family. After performing at a fancy wedding, Rick meets a former boy band singer named Danny who’s looking to revitalize his career. To say more about what happens from there would venture into light spoiler territory. There aren’t exactly twists or anything, but I think it’s the type of film that might be more fun to watch not knowing more.
The performances from leads Paul Rudd, as Rick, and Nick Jonas, as Danny, are solid. There is really only one original song that features prominently, not multiple quality songs, as was the case with Once. Still, if you’re looking for a feel-good film that isn’t too long, give Power Ballad a watch. It’s not groundbreaking, but it is entertaining.
Grade: 7.5/10