Cuckoo (2024) – Movie Review (Written – Potential Spoilers)

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Plot Summary

Gretchen has recently lost her mom and finds herself forced to travel halfway across the world, from the United States to Germany, to live with her dad, Luis. This isn’t ideal for either since Luis is far more focused on his new wife and daughter than his daughter from a previous relationship. What also doesn’t help is Luis has just moved to a resort that he and his wife, Beth, are supposed to be redoing, and their host, Herr Konig, is next-level weird, and Luis acts very submissive when around his employer.

This makes it so, as Gretchen encounters more and more weird things, which seem to involve her little sister, Alma, she needs anyone to believe her because something is wrong.

Noted Cast and Characters Of “Cuckoo”

Hunter Schafer As Gretchen

Gretchen is American, seemingly was part of a band back home, and at 17, recognizing her father doesn’t want her, the goal was to see if things could work, and if not, go back to the States. However, things get complicated quick, and Gretchen’s journey home takes a lot of twists and turns.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Euphoria: Season 1, Episode 1.”

Márton Csókás As Luis

Luis is Gretchen’s father who has moved on from not only her mom but, in many ways, her, and he definitely treats her like a liability rather than his first kid.

• The actor is also known for their role in “The Equalizer.”

Jessica Henwick As Beth

Beth is Alma’s mom, Gretchen’s step-mom, and Luis’ wife, who is the more social of the two, and it appears she is Luis’ business partner, not just a romantic partner.

• The actor is also known for their role in “The Royal Hotel.”

Dan Stevens As Herr König

Wealthy and eccentric, Herr Konig is a conservationist who wants to remodel a hotel resort with Luis and Beth’s help, but his desire to hire them seems far more nefarious.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Abigail.”

Mila Lieu As Alma

Alma is Gretchen’s half-sister who primarily speaks through sign language. She isn’t mute or deaf but is aware of the power of her voice, so she tries to use it only when necessary.

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

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Highlights

There Is The Creep Factor You Expect

In “Cuckoo,” one character will creep you out, deliver at least one jump scare, and present a level of intrigue that makes you want to know more. Now, as noted below, the film doesn’t necessarily deliver, but at the very least, if you came for a horror movie, you get one.

On The Fence

It Follows The Expected Playbook

While “Cuckoo” may have the vibe of an indie film and seem odd for NEON to release wide, as you watch, you see that it follows many of the expected beats of a horror/thriller. No, it doesn’t contain the almost standard serial killer or supernatural being, but that is because “Cuckoo” is seemingly working with an older playbook.

With “Cuckoo,” it wants to remind you what it feels like to be in a foreign and rural place that gives you a sense of isolation. It wants to re-engage the fear of medical professionals and make you question the amount of trust you place in them, alongside how people who seemingly have a good nature, could be the most twisted and violent people around.

Tone-wise, “Cuckoo” does well. It can feel like it largely plays it safe, even with there being gun and knife violence, but it still fits the needs of most horror fans while not pursuing much that can be considered outright new or different.

Connecting With The Characters

When it comes to Gretchen, you value her because of your fanship of Hunter Schafer. Yes, it is established Gretchen is seemingly a musician and queer, but very little is done to develop who she is beyond someone who recognizes her father doesn’t want her. As for everyone else? They feel far more bland.

Alma is just a cute kid, and her parents? It’s hard to pinpoint if they are just handling their obligation by giving Gretchen a room and food or if they are warming up to her just as Alma is trying to. Not much is put into the relationship to make it so, as things pick up, you care if they live or die, and honestly, regarding Beth, you’re left on the hook on whether a situation she is in is karma or if she is a victim.

Even when it comes to the villains or people who could live in the gray, there aren’t layers to them. So, as much as you may want to praise not having your usual serial killer, supernatural monster, or anything like that, it doesn’t really do something truly notable to make you say this is different and better than its peers because of the path it chose.

Who Is This For?

If you want a horror movie that doesn’t follow the usual storyline of a serial killer or supernatural being attacking folks, “Cuckoo” gives you something different while giving you blood and violence and putting its lead in multiple life-and-death situations as they fight for survival.

General Information

Film Length

1 Hour 42 Minutes

Date Released

August 8, 2024

How To Watch “Cuckoo”

In Theaters

Where To Watch

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Where To Buy, Rent or Subscribe To Watch This:

Official Site

Distributor

Neon

Director(s)

Tilman Singer

Writer(s)

Tilman Singer

Genre(s)

Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult

Content Rating

Rated R

Content Information

• Dialog: Cursing
• Violence: Gun Violence, Gore, Blood, Notable Fight Scenes
• Sexual Content: N/A
• Miscellaneous: Depiction of Corpses, Vomiting, Smoking

Why Is The Movie Named “Cuckoo?”

It’s named after the cuckoo bird because it puts its eggs in other people’s nests, similar to the would-be villain of the film putting its eggs into people.

Is There A Mid-Credit or Post-Credit Scene For “Cuckoo?”

Nope

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