X
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- Neon
- 1 h 42 m
- 2024
- R
- Neon
- 1 h 42 m
Summary Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen 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, her father's boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen's mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn't seem r...
Directed By: Tilman Singer
Written By: Tilman Singer
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- Neon
- 1 h 42 m
- 2024
- R
- Neon
- 1 h 42 m
Cuckoo
62
5.8
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Summary Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen 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, her father's boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen's mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn't seem r...
Directed By: Tilman Singer
Written By: Tilman Singer
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 Critic Reviews
62
53% Positive
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
47% Mixed
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 Critic Reviews
62
53% Positive
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
47% Mixed
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Cuckoo isn’t a horror movie for people who dislike unanswered questions, since Singer, who also wrote its script, is far more interested in emotional logic than the literal kind.
If you’re willing to just go with it, no questions asked, “Cuckoo” is an entertaining horror offering. But I must warn you that trying to make sense of the plot will drive you, well, cuckoo.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 59 User Ratings
5.8
51% Positive
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
29% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
20% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 59 User Ratings
5.8
51% Positive
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
29% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
20% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
Hunter is a new scream Queen.
The soundtrack and The cinematography is gorgeous.
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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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All this gives “Cuckoo” a strange, lusty vigor that’s hugely entertaining.
As with many horrors, the big reveals were, for this critic, a little underwhelming — a strained attempt at a unifying theory for this weird place that doesn’t add much ultimately.
Sure to be a cult classic, it’s quite literally cuckoo – and often gloriously so.
It’s a line that all horror movies must walk. The characters must be stupid enough to get themselves into trouble, but not so stupid that we don’t start thinking of them in Darwinian terms. Somehow, “Cuckoo” stays on the right side of that line, but barely.
Exuding more uncertainty than discipline, this wackadoo horror-thriller from German writer-director Tilman Singer can’t decide if wearing a smirk will see it through a sloppily developed plot, which keeps promising more than it delivers.
It starts very strong and could be one of those genrebending dreamlike films that give the genre its good name. But the third act is a mess. Anyway, the general atmosphere, the pace and the scares at the beginning, the setting, the design and the performances are worth it.
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'Cuckoo' is often more about atmosphere than substance, but it makes you think "WTF!" occasionally. Director Tilman Singer builds a highly cryptic mystery in an idyllic setting like the Bavarian Alps, which slowly makes sense as the plot progresses. The film manages to disorient and confuse with its enigmas, fantastical concepts, and disturbing images. Although the execution is erratic at times (especially with a protagonist who is narratively undermined by some story situations), certain resources related to the editing manage to keep your attention, despite an extremely absurd plot that demands to be taken very seriously. Hunter Schafer doesn't disappoint as a final girl, and Dan Stevens is completely unhinged. Here is a horror thriller that, despite its inconsistencies, addresses loss and motherhood from an undoubtedly monstrous point of view.
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Boring garbage. I much prefer the song “Cuckoo” by The Monks. No real fault of the lead actress, but the film is boring and tedious. It is like an overlong sci-fi channel Twilight Zone episode. The shrieking sound effects and tweaking seizure inducing camera cuts are overused, obnoxious, and amateurish in place of any actual real tension. Will put you to sleep, and not in a good way. In competition with “Latency” for worst “horror” movie I’ve seen this year. Hard pass on this one.
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Hunter Schafer's portrayal in "Cuckoo" falls flat, leaving much to be desired. While the film attempts to weave a chilling narrative, Schafer's acting feels more like a series of forced gestures rather than a genuine performance. Her attempts at conveying fear and tension lack the depth needed to engage the audience, resulting in a disconnect that pulls viewers out of the experience.
The character's emotional moments come off as unconvincing, often feeling like a rehearsed script rather than a spontaneous reaction. Schafer struggles to find the nuances in her role, leading to a one-dimensional performance that fails to evoke any real empathy or connection. In a genre where authenticity is crucial, her portrayal feels hollow, diminishing the film's overall impact.
Moreover, her interactions with the supporting cast highlight her shortcomings, as they often overshadow her with more compelling performances. "Cuckoo" had the potential to be a standout horror film, but Schafer's lackluster acting ultimately leaves it feeling mediocre at best. This role may not be the right fit for her talents, and it raises questions about her suitability for leading roles in intense narratives.
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Production Company
Fiction Park,
Neon,
Waypoint Entertainment
Release Date Aug 9, 2024
Duration 1 h 42 m
Rating R
Tagline Fear its call.
Awards
Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film (BIFFF)
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Berlin International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
SXSW Film Festival
• 1 Nomination