Cuckoo (2024) spoiler free review

Fear its call. Cuckoo is a 2024 science fiction horror-thriller film written and directed by Tilman Singer. The film had its world premiere on February 16, 2024 at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, and was released on August 8, 2024 in Germany, and in the United States on the following day.

A 17-year-old girl is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem.

Film synopsis

The cast includes Hunter Schafer as Gretchen, Dan Stevens as Herr König, Jessica Henwick as Beth, Jan Bluthardt as Henry, Marton Csokas as Luis, Greta Fernández as Trixie, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey as Ed, Konrad Singer as Erik, Proschat Madani as Dr. Bonomo, and Kalin Morrow as The Hooded Woman.

My opinion

Forced to live with her father and his new family at a resort in the German Alps after her mother’s death, Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) begins to have strange encounters with a hooded woman. Feeling that her life is at risk, she accepts the help of an investigator to uncover the dark secrets hidden by the resort and its strange owner Herr König (Dan Stevens).

Making it clear that the owner and the resort are hiding something, the film takes us down a path that lacks structure and coherence. What seems to be a simple but interesting plot unnecessarily entangles itself, leaving loose ends and questions. The sound design and visual style are immersive, allowing you to get hooked on the story. But, the lack of structure and explanations cause an unsatisfying ending that leaves the potential of the plot halfway.

The acting work of Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens keep the film afloat and make it a little more than average. Creating good moments of tension and suspense accompanied by inhuman presences and a touch of comedy, the film manages to maintain a balance between horror and science fiction thriller. It is at last the lack of direction and coherence that deprives Cuckoo of the opportunity to be a memorable modern horror film.