by Austen Terry, Contributing Writer
Over the past several years, horror fans have been treated to some excellent movies with new ideas, thrills, and haunts. The last three years in particular have brought plenty — some bad and some good. As we get closer to October, there is always more coming out. Foreign horror is a new branch for me to take, and though some good ones have been available in recent years, I have never quite taken the plunge. That was until recently, when the new horror movie Cuckoo came across my radar. Knowing nothing about the film going in — which is hard these days — I was pleasantly surprised.
Cuckoo tells the story of Gretchen (Hunter Schafer), who, after losing her mother, has to move to Germany with her dad, Luis (Marton Csokas), his wife, Beth (Jessica Henwick), and their daughter, Alma (Mila Lieu). Their new home is on a resort, which Gretchen’s dad will be rebuilding for owner, Mr. König (Dan Stevens), and strange stuff almost immediately starts to happen. Gretchen is repeatedly getting hurt, while something is happening to Alma; all the while, Gretchen is trying to figure out what is truly going on. This is a film that should be seen without spoilers, because I don’t want to say much more.
Schafer has charmed so many, including me, playing Jules in Euphoria. Writer/director Tilman Singer made a wise choice in casting her as Gretchen. She is a talent that you can feel as her character goes through the film. Schafer works well with everyone she is paired with here. She goes through it not just physically, but emotionally. The pain you can feel for her is deeply expressed in her performance, and she gives it her all. On a positive note, the practicality of the injuries that she sustains while investigating what’s happening, and how everyone thinks she is lying or crazy, helps to fuel her journey.
Stevens is also a well-known name — earlier this year, he even appeared in Abigail. Singer pulls the crazy out of Stevens, as he slowly becomes more evil as the film goes on. The way you can hang off his every word makes you believe in him that much more. His creepy demeanor makes you immediately suspect him, but also almost understand what he’s doing in the film. He and Schafer brilliantly go head-to-head, and you almost lose track of who to root for. Stevens has been showing off his horror chops lately, and I am here for it. Here’s hoping we see him in more roles like this.
Singer crafts a great journey that holds you as you go along, and even his main antagonist is something truly terrifying. He doesn’t rely on jump scare, and there are some captivating camera moments as well. One at night very early on has stuck with me; it shows Singer is someone to keep an eye on. Cuckoo is only his fourth project, and I hope he continues to do more. From the sounds, to the score, to not knowing what time you are in, Cuckoo is one to remember.
Rating: High Side of Liked It
Cuckoo is currently playing in theaters
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