Cuckoo Movie Review, Streaming & Download

“Cuckoo” becomes increasingly perplexing as it delves into its storyline. The more writer-director Tilman Singer elaborates on the peculiar events driving this eerie thriller, the less captivating it gets. Trying to unravel the intricacies of this twisted mystery serves as a distraction that the film never quite overcomes. Either more information was needed, or less would have sufficed. Maintaining ambiguity might have been the preferred option; Singer’s ominous atmosphere was strong enough to keep viewers engaged. Instead, the audience transitions from intrigue to confusion.”

Despite this, the dedicated performances of Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens manage to hold our interest, at least temporarily. Both actors showcase contrasting approaches, generating both humor and tension from the outset. Stevens, known for his roles in diverse films like “The Guest” and “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” effectively utilizes his striking appearance to convey a sinister presence. Schafer, on the other hand, delivers a more straightforward portrayal, recognizing the underlying issues in the film’s seemingly perfect setting. However, akin to Florence Pugh’s character in “Midsommar,” her warnings fall on deaf ears in this alluring yet perilous foreign environment.

Schafer plays Gretchen, a 17-year-old American coping with the recent loss of her mother. Amidst her grief, she relocates with her father (Marton Csokas), his new wife (Jessica Henwick), and their silent young daughter (Mila Lieu) to a resort in the Bavarian Alps. Collaborating with cinematographer Paul Faltz, Singer portrays this picturesque location as a stark prison, underscoring Gretchen’s sense of confinement.

Stevens’ character, Herr König, manages the resort and convincingly welcomes the family to stay while he collaborates with Gretchen’s father on a development project. From the start, ominous shadows and cold reflections hint that this is no ordinary vacation spot. Herr König’s behavior escalates from subtly passive-aggressive to overtly controlling, intensifying Gretchen’s desire to escape. His exaggerated pronunciation of her name adds an element of both amusement and symbolic cruelty.

However, supernatural forces seem to be keeping her in place. A gripping nighttime sequence shows Gretchen biking home after a reluctant shift at the hotel’s front desk, revealing just enough to evoke fear. The film uses expert pacing and editing to build tension, incorporating a repetitive structure that culminates in startling moments. Although initially disturbing, the sound design choices eventually become tedious once their origin is unveiled.

Gretchen’s struggle with grief blurs the lines between reality and manifestations of trauma. Her ambiguous torment evokes both sorrow and unease, while her attempts to find solace through messages left on her late mother’s answering machine yield no catharsis. Schafer’s emotional range allows viewers to experience Gretchen’s journey, rooting for her resilience. Amidst the escalating absurdity, Schafer’s deadpan delivery provides a touch of comic relief within the tension.

As the plot unfolds, a dark fairy tale surrounding women’s autonomy over their bodies emerges, yet this message becomes lost within the chaotic narrative. Whether fully comprehensible or not, “Cuckoo” is sure to challenge viewers’ perceptions and potentially induce a sense of madness.