'Cuckoo' (2024) - A Spoiler-Free Film Review
A Bizarre Tour De Force...
SYNOPSIS (source, Wikipedia): “Seventeen-year-old Gretchen reluctantly leaves America to live with her father at a resort in the German Alps. Plagued by strange noises and bloody visions, she soon discovers a shocking secret that concerns her own family.”
I’ll start this review off by saying I really, really love movies. Everyone who knows me knows this about me. It blows my mind when people ask me what I want for birthdays/holidays, because the response is almost comical. “Take me to the movies, or get me a gift card to the movies.”—I’m most uncomplicated when it comes to this. That said, as mentioned in the past for those who’ve read my Introduction post, I have always had a particularly deep love for horror films. I relish the fear factor, the shock of gore, the bated breath before even the tackiest of jump scares, and root for every fresh ‘Final Girl’ thrust upon my screen.
But the films I love the most, are the ones that really get me. The off-beat, eclectic thrills that are equal parts THIS IS ACTUALLY SO CREEPY and WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST WATCH!?…yeah, those are the ones I get sold on every single time. So, I am pleased as punch to write that the freshly released Tilman Singer film Cuckoo did not disappoint.
Now, I feel this next part is important to note: going forward I want it to be known that this is a *spoiler free* review. So, it will be relatively short and sweet. Why? Well:
1: I want people to see this film
2. I want to hear people’s thoughts on this film.
In fact, if you see the film after reading this review, please leave a 1comment below and feel free to let me know your thoughts! :)
This film is not Tilman Singer’s first brush with directing. His debut was a delightfully weird, super-8 styled 2018 German release called Luz. However—it’s worth noting Cuckoo is not only his highly-anticipated second major film but also a co-produced German/American wider market release. A good fit for a film as absolutely BONKERS as this one.
The film is packed with stunning camera work. Cuckoo has a creepy atmosphere tucked away into the German Alps, that serve as a well-done dual setup. On one-part it’s a beautiful, peaceful landscape (think Bob Ross painting), that two-part shifts seamlessly into a suffocating, inescapable hell trap of retro colored hues and reproductive nightmare fuel.
Another thing I found impressive with the film was the top-tier writing. There were plenty of spunky dialogue bits spoken by the films’ protagonist Gretchen, that hit close to home in the sense that anyone sane under the film’s circumstances would say or think the exact same way. It puts the viewer so thoroughly into the the plot, that as it unfolds…you can’t help but to feel like you are simmering into the same madness. And trust me when I say it’s non-stop WTF madness that is *only* escalated by the excellent cast performances. Which brings me to…
Hunter Schafer. Now, like most Millennials under the sun at this point…I know her best from her work in Sam Levinson’s hit HBO teen-drama Euphoria. She sparkles alongside the effervescent Zendaya, as the scene-stealing character Jules Vaughn. So, in short: I already knew to expect a great performance from her. However—this film does what the other work she’s done, does not.
In this film, Hunter Schafer is the de-facto shining star. And I so hope her career continues to sky-rocket as it’s been! I would love, love, LOVE to see her lead more projects. Playing the spunky, rebellious, all-too-real Gretchen is so well portrayed by Ms. Schafer, her performance is second nature. Her acting is so relatable, real, and compelling. It only shines further in every scene she shares with the charismatic, yet deeply disturbed Herr König played by Dan Stevens. As well as all the other cast performances in the movie.
To summarize Cuckoo is a wild, beautifully bizarre gem that deserves not only the praise of it’s leading stars, but keeps you on your toes the entire time. It teeters on the precipice of utter uniqueness and something that feels nostalgic in the sharp, muted tones and smooth direction. I was so pleased with this film from start to finish, and am so glad that my excitement to see it paid off.
I think anyone who appreciates a twisty thriller, a healthy dose of horror, nuggets of sci-fi, and a story-centric, yet fast paced action-mystery will love Cuckoo. It’s everything it’s name suggests it is!
My official rating: 8/10.
Excellent review! I really enjoyed reading it. Have you seen 'A Tale of Two Sisters'? It's a South Korean psychological horror film from about 20 years ago. Think it would be right up your alley.
I do love this genre, but with toddlers I won't get to see it soon :( Great review!