Cuckoo (2024)

After the sadness of her mother’s passing, Gretchen (Hunter Schafer), her father Luis (Marton Csokas), and his new family are moving to the German Alps. Gretchen’s father had received a contract to help build a new hotel and when they arrive, Herr König (Dan Stevens) oversees their work and progress. From the beginning, Gretchen is dissatisfied and unmotivated in many aspects of her life. Upon their arrival and after some small talk, Herr König offers Gretchen a job at the front desk, requiring her to work long shifts and late nights. Gretchen accepts the job.

As Gretchen tries to settle into her new home, she notices several strange and unexplainable occurrences. She observes odd behaviour from the people around her and begins to hear mysterious noises. Even more terrifying are the haunting visions that start to plague her—she sees a woman who screams while attempting to chase after her. Is something sinister happening in Gretchen’s surroundings, or is she losing her grip on reality?

Cuckoo is a horror film combining thriller and mystery elements. I can confidently say that Cuckoo is quite different and unique as a film, and its story is unlike anything else. The movie was written and directed by Tilman Singer, who is known for his previous works, including the feature film Luz (2018) and the short film The End of the World (2016). One of the most vital points I can highlight about this film is its atmosphere and intriguing mysteries. I often felt tense and slightly on the edge of my seat, not fully grasping what was happening around Gretchen. I found myself invested in the story and curious to uncover the truth alongside her.

In terms of performance, it’s evident that most of the cast, notably Dan Stevens, is enjoying their roles in this film. However, some performances feel familiar or lack originality. Without giving away any spoilers, I was delighted with the first and second acts of the film, but I must admit that the third act and finale were disappointing. Certain moments in the finale felt wacky, outrageous, and silly. Along with this, the plot was complex, and some aspects were not clearly explained, making it difficult for me to engage with the story fully. Ultimately, audience reactions to the plot and its conclusion will vary. It didn’t resonate as much for me as I had hoped, but the scares and creepiness certainly delivered.

Overall, Cuckoo creates a captivating, haunting atmosphere and features mysteries with numerous unique layers that leave you baffled and extremely curious about what’s happening. Certain actors deliver outstanding performances, and their enjoyment while working on this project is evident. With such a robust setup in the first and second acts, I felt disappointed when the film took a wacky and complex turn in the conclusion. Can I explain anything about this film? Not really, but perhaps that’s part of its charm, making it utterly fun and delightfully bizarre. Or should I say, “Cuckoo”?

Cuckoo (2024) is Now Available on Blu-ray & DVD, thanks to Via Vision Entertainment!