By Jack Ransom August 27, 2024
It feels like it has been a long while since the first cryptic still from 'Cuckoo' was released and after a couple of release date delays it has finally creeped onto the big screen. Its been a strong year for horror this year: 'Abigail', 'The First Omen', 'Longlegs', 'Alien: Romulus'… and 'Cuckoo' flies into that list with its gleefully grisly reveals, discomforting atmosphere, locked in performances and sharp direction.
Synopsis
'Cuckoo' sees seventeen-year-old Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) reluctantly leaves America to live with her father (Martin Csokas) at a resort in the German Alps. Plagued by strange noises and bloody visions, she soon discovers a shocking secret that concerns her own family.
Review
'Cuckoo' immediately sets a prickly and off-kilter tone as the family arrive in the isolated German Alps and are greeted by the wide-eyed and leering Dr. Koenig (Dan Stevens), from here the Gretchen’s growing suspicions, fear and overwhelming trauma come to the forefront as the layers of the resort are peeled back. The film takes a little while to nestle into a rhythm, but when it finds its feet, it locks into solid pacing as its plot unfurls (I won’t be going into details too much as the trailers have been fittingly cryptic and I don’t want to take away from the first-hand experience). I will say that the balance of familiar thematic overheads such as trauma and grief, balance effectively with the injection of disturbingly ‘out there’ Hammer Horror behind the scenes.
The film is consistently exciting and interesting to look at. From the vast, harsh and cold cinematography of the hospital/laboratories, the modern sheen of the resort and the unique usage of shadows and focus during the tense set pieces. There is also a certain spoilerish stylistic choice involving time and sound which is incredibly effective. The jump scares inject a jolt and the mysterious antagonist is unnervingly presented, with director Tillman Singer utilising the frame for many effective tension building sequences.
Hunter Schafer is fantastic here. Her snark, suspicion and underlying sadness and anger at her family’s situation is well explored and she also delivers the cunning ‘final girl’ traits and tropes. Dan Stevens is having a ball as the overtly friendly, overbearing, flute playing Koenig. Jan Bluthardt’s persistent and driven police detective and both Martin Csokas and Jessica Henwick also deliver in their supporting roles.
'Cuckoo' is a blast and another standout original horror flick! Its eerie, unnerving atmosphere, schlocky and grisly reveals, creepy antagonist and standout direction and performances overshadow its jumpy structuring and familiar beats.
Star Rating
'Cuckoo' is out now in cinemas
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