• Release year: 2024
• Director: Tilman Singer.
• Producers: Thor Bradwell, Markus Halberschmidt, Ken Kao, Ben Rimmer, Josh Rosenbaum and Maria Tsigka.
• Screenplay by: Tilman Singer.
• Cinematography by: Paul Faltz.
• Music by: Simon Waskow.

Shotgun Commentary: the definition of a cool horror film. It has its issues, but it is mostly quite fantastic.

Review

Cuckoo is a fresh, compelling horror film that oozes cool. The style creates the perfect atmosphere for the story that’s being told, combining beauty and horror in a beautiful canvas where both blend while also staying sufficiently independent to be enjoyed separately. The cast brings the narrative to life with great performances, although some choices in both actors and text are questionable.

A peculiar tale, indeed

First things first, the account follows Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) a seventeen-years-old girl who is forced to move into the middle of nowhere with her family so they can build a resort. The beginning is weak, random and astonishingly incoherent. However, a strange encounter in a public bathroom hints you that the lack of logic is very much intended.

Gretchen’s life only gets weirder from that moment on, with some guest appearances by an incredibly creepy woman who seems intent on getting to her. Each of the mysterious woman’s arrivals is accompanied by an overcoming feeling of dizziness and déjà vu for Gretchen, who tries her hardest to fight her all on her own.

If that wasn’t enough, her parents act completely indifferent to the fact that her daughter is being harassed and attacked over and over again, claiming that she is imagining things and always putting her younger sister first. The family dynamics, as well as Gretchen’s behaviour, feel off from the get-go and do nothing but worsen with time. One can sort of imagine the reason as the film carries on, but it is never outwardly explained.

A divided audience

This decision has surely been controversial as lots of spectators feel that the movie is in unintelligible and absurd, but this author is of the opinion that letting people draw their own conclusions is best. Nowadays, audiences are used to being given stories all chewed up, like baby birds waiting to be fed. This is a mistake.

While an easy film can be a great experience from time to time (an occasional Hallmark is always good for the soul), viewers need to get used to thinking again. Sure, cinema can be one of the most passive arts in existence, but it doesn’t have to be. Films that encourage you to fill in the gaps as you wish are works to be cherished and protected. Plus, let’s be honest, this film is no 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), it’s pretty comprehensive and to the point. As such, it is intriguing, fun, and just mysterious enough to excite your brain instead of putting it to sleep.

Not everything is gold

As previously mentioned, the feature does have some flaws. The most important of them being the cast choice. In particular, the selection of Jessica Henwick as Beth. Henwick delivers a great performance. The issue doesn’t lie in her talent, but in her appearance. She looks like she’s the same age as Gretchen, which might be the point, but it is certainly confusing, especially at the beginning, when it is still not clear whether she’s Gretchen’s BFF or younger sister.

Of course, when you realise she’s supposed to be her stepmother, your brain breaks a little. It is not uncommon for men to divorce and go for women the age of their daughters, but it is still incredibly cringe and wrong in so many levels. So, if that was not the intended reaction they expect from the audience, Henwick was not the woman for the role, at least not without some ageing makeup or prosthetics.

Make way for the queen

The rest of the cast is marvellous, they are all brimming with talent and their roles suit them like a glove. Schafer has positioned herself as a very strong scream queen in the making. She undoubtedly has a great future in the genre, should she choose to go for it. Much like Jenna Ortega and Samara Weaving, she brings her own charm into the roles she plays, managing to distinguish herself from all other generic final girls and women in horror.

All in all, Cuckoo is an incredible horror addition to 2024, a year that has had a lot of powerful movies in the genre. A brilliant cast and talented crew deliver a fascinating story that offers originality and entertainment at a moment in time where all you can find in horror are dragged on stories about people in the woods. Yes, Speak No Evil (2024) and Never Let Go (2024), we are looking at you.

Advice to take from this movie:

• There is a moment to leave and not look back. It is important to know when that moment presents itself.
• You know it’s gonna be good sh*t when Astrid Bergès-Frisbey shows up. Most of the time… still confused about her Syrena phase.
• Dan Stevens is awesome, he was awesome in Downton Abbey (2010-2015). He was awesome in Legion (2017-2019). He’s still awesome now, and there’s a very promising possibility that he’ll remain awesome his whole career.

What’s your take? Have you watched Cuckoo? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀