Cuckoo
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Review: ‘Cuckoo’ is a Taut and Genuinely Creepy Art House Horror Mystery
August 6, 2024Ben MK
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Although oftentimes not for the squeamish, the horror genre has proven time and time again to be one of the most versatile genres in cinema. Whether it's high-concept tales about killer dresses and infinite time loops or more familiar fan favorites about serial killers and supernatural monsters, there's truly no limits when it comes to the kinds of stories filmmakers can tell under the umbrella of what has come to be known as modern horror. It's a veritable grab bag when it comes to what moviegoers can expect when they set foot in their local multiplex to partake in Hollywood's latest horror offering. And with Cuckoo, that element of surprise is exactly what writer-director Tilman Singer is counting on, in this suspenseful tale about one teenage girl's brush with the bizarre in the Bavarian Alps. Starring The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' Hunter Schafer, the film follows 17-year-old Gretchen (Schafer), a teenager from America who moves into the Alpschatten Resort in Germany, along with her father, Luis (Martin Csokas), stepmother Beth (Jessica Henwick) and 8-year-old half-sister Alma (Mika Lieu). Hired by the resort's owner, Herr König (Dan Stevens), a man who considers himself to be a cuckoo preservationist, Luis and Beth have been tasked with helping him build a new resort — an assignment that seems innocent enough, especially considering the scenic surroundings. However, while Alpschatten can be quite picturesque during the day, after 10 pm, the atmosphere has a tendency of turning eerie and menacing. Taking on a part-time job working the resort's reception desk, Gretchen discovers this firsthand one night, when she's chased and assaulted by a mysterious woman with a banshee-like scream and glowing red eyes. But as terrifying as that encounter was, it's what happens afterwards that will have Gretchen wishing she was anywhere but here. Still recovering from her injuries, Gretchen is visited by a grizzled police detective named Henry (Jan Bluthardt), who informs her that the strange woman who attacked her is wanted for homicide, and that others, including himself, have also seen her. Unlike most murder suspects, though, Gretchen's assailant is no ordinary citizen. And despite her further assaults on other unsuspecting victims, it appears that this strange woman has taken a special interest in Gretchen herself. It's a tense and unusual situation that will force Gretchen to team up with Henry, in order to try to maintain her own safety and take preemptive action against another attack. Little does she realize, however, that the danger is closer to home than she ever expected. But when the time comes to make a choice, will she choose family over the opportunity to put an end to the terror once and for all? Suffice to say, fans of art house thrillers and unconventional horror movies will find plenty to go cuckoo for about Cuckoo, from the eclectic indie soundtrack to the unsettling yet hypnotic cinematography, both of which operate in stark contrast to what most Hollywood genre entries have to offer these days. That said, what stands out the most about the film are the performances, especially Stevens and Schafer, both of whom deliver memorable turns in their opposing roles. As the film's antagonist, Stevens follows up his more lighthearted part in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire with a disturbingly sinister turn as a man so engrossed in his self-appointed mission that he'll stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Meanwhile, as the protagonist and final girl of the piece, Schafer makes an equally strong impression, embodying just the right balance of terrified victim and defiant survivor. It all adds up to one of the most unique horror movies in recent memory. Still, for viewers anticipating something a little more in step with the majority of genre offerings, Cuckoo may not be the terrifying tale they have in mind. Make no mistake, audiences looking to explore beyond the boundaries of traditional horror storytelling will be ecstatic. For those in the mood for more familiar frights, however, you might want to pick another nest. Cuckoo releases August 9th, 2024 from Elevation Pictures. The film has an MPAA rating of R for violence, bloody images, language and brief teen drug use. Its runtime is 1 hr. 42 min. |
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