Cuckoo

Cuckoo is a movie in a genre I love, and in a subgenre I frequently enjoy. I also regularly love complex movies that keep you guessing. I also love really weird movies. To say "this movie is not for me" would be inaccurate. Yet I pretty much hated it.

As the movie went along, I understood less and less. I couldn't fully grasp what was happening. I kept telling myself to be patient, and maybe it will pay off. But nope. There is nothing satisfying if you wait it out. And there are tons of unanswered questions and things that make no sense.

But the biggest failure is the inability to make me care about the characters or story at all. During the climax, I repeatedly thought, "I don't care." I just wanted it to end so I could go home.

There are some creepy moments. I'm a fan of actors Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick, but they aren't given much to do. And in the end, I had a terrible time with this movie.

(1 viewing, opening night 8/8/2024)

Saw it at Berlinale - Hunter Schafer is good and we, on a emotional level, really believe everything she is asked to do by the director. Her performance ankers this movie, there isn't much to complain about on her part. The main reason why this movie does not work is the main antagonist - from the first time we see him he comes of as strange, not in a creepy or uncanny way which this movie would have needed but like he didn't belong into this movie. The character is obviously supposed to be off-putting and mysterious with an eccentric touch but apart from the latter his performance fails to convey this. The plot gets more and more obscure with time, and it is clear a somewhat logical ending will not be possible. Which a movie does not necessarily need by the way! But it tries to string it together and that does not work, it becomes laughable at times and misses it's mark. Not to mention the irrational choices made by the other family members. Maybe the way it tries to explain itself is what ultimately breaks it. The multiple tonal shifts and pace changes as it gets closer to the credits result in losing emotional connection, but I can see how they could work for some viewers. A performance that really worked besides Schafers is her young sister. The cinematography is good. It may get you with some jump scares but if you are familiar with the genre you will see most of them coming.

I went to the "Secret Screaming" screening of "Cuckoo" last night, though I was pretty confident, based on the fact it's already out in the US, that this would be the film that Cineworld were going to show. My feelings about the film remain mixed, even having taken a night to ruminate on it.

Following the death of her mother, Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) moves with her father Luis (Marton Csokas), Stepmother Beth (Jessica Henwick) and Stepsister Alma (Mila Lieu) to a cabin resort in the German Alps. The family are there to design an expansion to the complex, at the request of Herr Konig (Dan Stevens), the owner of the resort. Konig offers Gretchen a job working at the hotel's reception, but on the strict understanding that she must not work the late shift, and definitely won't cycle home through the woods at night.

Just because it's an easier place to start, I will say that I don't think I found "Cuckoo" particularly scary. There's an excellently framed set piece near the start of the film - that was unfortunately mostly featured in the trailer, and a couple of body horror moments that work, but it's really more of a thriller than a genuine horror film.

I will say that I imagine that a fair proportion of people will be shaken off by the film. It's not particularly accessible, being wilfully stylish and trippy and taking a while to get to its explanations - though if you stick with it, they are coming. Dan Stevens, always amazing, is back again (for this, my third film of his this year) and he's having a great time as the eccentric Herr Konig. Schafer (also, ironically in a third film of the year for me) carries the movie though, she's in every scene and manages to keep you onside despite her character doing some questionable things. She has some more dramatic scenes as the film progresses and her emotional (and physical) suffering is well done.

I suppose the best I can do is say that I don't regret watching "Cuckoo", which has enough scenes and moments to make up for the slightly unsatisfying whole. I'll never need to watch it again though.

Few nice ideas are falling apart with really bad scenario at the end. The movie wants to be a horror, but at the end it becomes kinda bad and silly action movie. With a bad acting, non logic actions and hilarious staging.

I really live the ideas of creatures. Instead of fierys from debut picture of "Watchers", "Cuckoo" really has something new to offer.

And it evolving really good until 75% of the movie when everything starts to fall apart. Seems like screen writer did not know what to do with all of the beautiful concept he made.

Never let the movie break into different genres when you don't know what to do Mr. Screenwriter.

While its narrative and style feels incoherent, the interesting atmosphere, beautiful camera work, and bizarre stylistic choices does offer some genuine fun moments.

Tilman Singer's direction on the camerawork, atmosphere, and style does offer some fun in-sights with its narrative, concept, and the characters in the setting and environment. Including great sound designs and great performances from Hunter Schafer & Dan Stevens. Schafer's energy and Stevens chaotic devilish personality within his character was entertaining to observe. Including some solid dialogue moments.

The writing and concepts are interesting but unfortunately loses focus within itself and feels way too silly. There are clear tones that it's being approached as a B-movie or giallo horror approach but the movie does take itself a bit too seriously at times which makes it not understand what it wants to be at times. Including dull characters and pacing problems.

Nevertheless, it's still a decent German horror flick with some great moments but I wish it did feel more coherent.