BIFF2024: 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 Available on Blu-ray & DVD from January 8th, thanks to Via Vision Entertainment!

FILM SCORE: 6.5/10

Published: 5th November 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden

THANK YOU FOR VISITING!

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Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) is living in a hospice, facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. Offering her comfort and joy is a sweet black and white cat named Frodo. After she attends a group counselling session, Samira's nurse, Reuben (Alex Wolff), invites her to join other...

Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Once again, we follow Gru (Steve Carell) as he continues to work secretly for AVL (Anti-Villain League). During his most recent undercover operation, Gru successfully apprehended a new kind of supervillain named Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), who has a massive...

Woman Who Came Back (1945)

Near Boston lies a small town, Eben Rocks, a quiet and peaceful community- at least on the surface. Three hundred years ago, the town saw significant upheaval as innocent people were branded as witches. As a result, some were unjustly condemned to death and burned at...

Interview: Lance Larson / Deadland (2023)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Lance Larson, director and one of the writers of Deadland (2023), available on Digital from June 26th in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to Lightbulb Film Distribution. Let's...

Deadland (2023)

Angel (Roberto Urbina), a U.S. border Agent, and his partner Ray (McCaul Lombardi) run a tight ship maintaining the border. One day, while patrolling, Angel receives a call and satellite coordinates about suspicious activity nearby. When he arrives and investigates...

The Promised Land (2023)

Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) has returned home after twenty-five years of service in the German army. To start his life anew, he seeks permission to cultivate the barren lands of Jutland Heath. However, the leadership of the King at The Royal Treasury informs him...

The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)

Harold Pelham (Roger Moore) is a successful business executive who lives with his wife and two children. One morning, Pelham drives to work and unexpectedly is involved in a tragic car crash. Fortunately, he survives and eventually makes a full recovery. After...

The Exorcism (2024)

Actor Anthony Miller, also known as Tony (Russell Crowe), is preparing for an upcoming audition for a dramatic horror film.  At the same time, his daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), returns home after being suspended from school.  Tony hopes that succeeding in...

Inside Out 2 (2024)

It’s been a while since we last saw Riley (Kensington Tallman). Recently, Riley turned thirteen and has officially entered her teenage years. Once again, we delve into her mind's lively range of emotions - joy, disgust, sadness, fear, and anger. There have been...

The Watchers (2024)

Mina (Dakota Fanning) is a young artist who works at a pet store in western Ireland. Aside from her job and passion for drawing, she enjoys assuming different identities at local bars to pursue one-night stands. Mina frequently receives phone calls from her sister,...

Frogman (2023)

On August 7th, 1999, a family was on vacation, making several stops.  During their travels, they ended up in a town called Loveland and discovered something strange near some bushes.  Thanks to a family video recorder, the family's youngest member,...

Uptight (1968)

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee and was buried in Atlanta, Georgia. His death had a significant impact on the community of Cleveland, Ohio, leading to ongoing crowds and riots. Four days after King's funeral, we follow Tank...

The Music of Chance (1993)

Jack Pozzi (James Spader) is a professional card player and gambler. One day, he is found lying on the side of the road in a suit covered in blood. Jim Nashe (Mandy Patinkin), who is driving by, offers Jack a ride, and a friendship begins. Living off a large...

About Last Night (1986)

Danny (Rob Lowe) and Bernie (Jim Belushi) are good friends who live in Windy City. While walking around the streets, Bernie boasts about his latest romantic conquest, and Danny listens eagerly. Later, they enjoy playing baseball with their close friends, and a group...

Delia’s Gone (2022)

Louis (Stephan James) lives with his sister Delia (Genelle Williams). One day, when Louis and Delia are driving into town, Delia requests that Louis stop the vehicle and pull over. Delia leaves the car with a gun, which surprises Louis, but when he questions the...

Alice in Terrorland (2023)

After a tragic fire takes her parents' lives, Alice (Lizzy Willis) must move in with her grandmother, Beth (Rula Lenska), in a woodland home. As Alice tries to cope with the loss of her parents, Beth offers her various forms of comfort and support, including reading...

Stopmotion (2023)

Ella (Aisling Franciosi) is a highly skilled stop-motion animator. While working on her newest project, animating various monsters, we discover that her mother, Suzanne (Stella Gonet), is watching and guiding Ella's every move. Suzanne is guiding the entire film,...

Sight (2024)

Set in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2007, we follow a successful laser surgeon, Dr Ming Wang (Terry Chen), who works at the Vision Institute. Dr Wang has spent over a decade bringing young children out of darkness by fixing their vision. Many in the media and public claim...

The Beast (2023)

The film opens with a woman (Léa Seydoux) acting in a room surrounded by nothing but a large green screen. Instructions are given, and the actress is informed where key objects are. Lastly, the actress is advised about the location of ‘The Beast’ so she can react....

The Garfield Movie (2024)

When a tiny kitten is abandoned by his father and left alone in an alleyway in the rain, he discovers a restaurant serving hot pasta and pizza. Sitting all alone inside the restaurant is Jon (Nicholas Hoult). By luck, Jon discovers the tiny orange kitten outside the...

Clawfoot (2023)

Janet (Francesca Eastwood) is a housewife living in a luxury upper-class suburb. Upon waking up, she finds her husband, Evan (Nestor Carbonell), has apparently vanished. Despite supposedly going away on a work trip, his luggage is still in the house. To make matters...

Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever (2023)

In an interrogation room, a young man named Bent Segenius Midjord (Casper Kjær Jensen) is being questioned by an officer named Kramer (Paprika Steen). Bent is covered in blood, and Kramer accuses him of cutting a vicar's throat. During the interview, Bent claims that...

Corner Office (2022)

Orson (Jon Hamm) is a new employee at The Authority Inc. On a snowy morning, he parks his car and begins his first day, hoping for great things ahead.  Walking through the front door, he feels at peace, as if he has come to the right place. Through narration, we...

Jericho Ridge (2023)

In North Washington, Deputy Tabby (Nikki Amuka-Bird) wakes up and prepares for her day as a sheriff. She takes various pills, and we see her moving about with a crutch due to her bad limp. While Tabby has been a sheriff for some time, she has been on leave due to her...

Crocodile Swarm (2024)

Four friends decide to enter an old cave that used to be a mining system. As they enter the mine, they discover a lighting system that, once powered up, makes it far easier to wander around instead of just relying on lighting from their helmets. Soon, they hear...

The Taste of Things (2023)

In 1889, in France, we follow the story of Dodin (Benoît Magimel), a highly skilled chef, and Eugénie (Juliette Binoche), who works as a cook closely by his side. The movie begins with Dodin and Eugénie preparing various meals, and Eugénie selecting vegetables from a...

Golda (2023)

In 1974, Golda Meir, played by Helen Mirren, attends a hearing where she is asked to speak about The Yom Kippur War in 1973, during her tenure as the Prime Minister of Israel. Sworn in to tell the truth, she reflects and recounts her experiences. Despite dealing with...

Skeletons in the Closet (2024)

Mark (Terrence Howard) lives with his wife, Valentina (Valery M. Ortiz), and their daughter, Jenny (Appy Pratt), in a peaceful home. One morning, Mark prepares himself for work, speaking positively about himself to build confidence and ask for a pay raise. Meanwhile,...

Infested (2023)

A group of men carrying large knives and other equipment are exploring a mysterious desert, hoping to discover riches or perhaps a rare species. When one of the men lifts a large rock and finds a strange hole in the sand, he’s curious to see what’s inside. Instead of...

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

When Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is surrounded and attacked by a group of unknown armed men—whether to kill him or for some other reason-, he does what he does best: uses his sword to protect himself and his sidekick Malak (Tracey Walter). After defending himself...

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)

The story follows a blind man named Zatôichi (Takeshi Kitano). We meet him as he takes a break from walking on a dirt road, and a group attempt to rob and murder him. He easily defends himself despite being completely blind. Zatôichi is a master swordsman with a...