Cuckoo Review
The last several years have been great for horror films, and 2024 is no different. Neon is at the top of the pack this year with Longlegs, and now Cuckoo. Both Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens deliver phenomenal performances in Cuckoo, making the film unforgettable. On top of that, the concept is unsettling and intriguing, making the one hour and forty-three minutes fly by as viewers sit on the edge on their seats.
Cuckoo synopsis: Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen (Schafer) leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Arriving at their future residence, they are greeted by Mr. König (Stevens), her father’s boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn’t seem right in this tranquil vacation paradise. Gretchen is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until she discovers a shocking secret that also concerns her own family.
Right from the very first scene, Cuckoo brings the suspense and terror, and then it never stops. As Gretchen’s family arrives at the resort, it is clear that something is off, a feeling that is only heightened when Mr. König shows up. He is a strange person and is very clearly hiding something. The more we get to know him, the more bizarre he turns out to be. He always shows up at the perfect time to stop Gretchen from discovering more about what is happening at his resort.
In the third act of Cuckoo, the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, but rather than leaving the audience feeling satisfied and relieved, they are catapulted into action-packed, thrilling sequences that will have their hearts pounding. More psychological thriller than horror, Cuckoo is going to make viewers feel uneasy, in the best way possible.
Dan Stevens seems as if he is having the time of his life in this role. He is an extremely talented actor, and has always shined in his projects, but Cuckoo is on a whole other level. He leans into strange behaviors, and thanks to his German accent, is creepy and unsettling. Mr. König is one of the most terrifying characters he has ever played, because of how subtle he is at times.
Pitting Hunter Schafer against him as Gretchen is one of the best things the casting director for this film has ever done. The two of them make for formidable opponents, and it is a joy to watch them play on screen together. Schafer has quite a few incredible performances under her belt, but she is sure to captivate audiences in Cuckoo. She is the eyes and ears for the audience, as she takes them on this journey towards the truth with her.
If you have seen the trailer, then you know of the creature in this film. It might sound strange to say, but this creature, though terrifying, is somewhat relatable. It is not the one to blame for what it is doing, not really. And that is where things get interesting.
There are jump scares, an eerie score that heightens the suspenseful scenes, and reveals that might shock some viewers. But there is also an emotional storyline underneath it all. The connection between Gretchen and her sister, Alma, is the heart of Cuckoo. It is what drives Gretchen in the end to do what is right. While there are some pacing issues in the middle, and the love interest character for Gretchen feels unnecessary, there is so much that works in Cuckoo that those flaws are forgiven.
Sometimes Cuckoo feels like an arthouse horror movie and other times it feels like a psychological crime thriller. The two intertwine perfectly to deliver one of the best thriller-horrors of the year.
Cuckoo comes to theaters on August 9th , and if you love a good suspenseful thriller, with a dash
of horror, this one is for you.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She owns Mama’s Geeky, but also is a freelance writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for more than ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association. Her passion for film, television, video games, and comic books started when she was a little girl and has only continued to grow.