Cuckoo is set in an idyllic Alpine resort in Germany. The film follows Gretchen, a 17-year-old played by Hunter Schafer, who moves from the US to the German Alps with her father and his new wife and her stepsister, Alma.
The family’s relocation is due to Gretchen’s father taking up a new job at a hotel owned by Herr König. Gretchen takes a job manning the reception at this hotel, which quickly becomes the center of the film’s mysterious occurrences.
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Gretchen is a participant in her family’s new life. Her disdain for her father’s new family is palpable towards her stepsister, whom she refuses to acknowledge as such.
Herr König is depicted as an off-kilter, sinister hotelier with a menacing presence. The strained relationship within Gretchen’s family adds depth to the horror elements.
The film features a series of unsettling occurrences at the resort. Guests often wander in a stupor and eerie vibrations ripple through the landscape causing time to loop in bizarre ways.
Gretchen’s suspicion of her new surroundings grows as these strange incidents increase. She encounters a mysterious woman who roams the area at night.
Despite Gretchen’s injuries and the dangers she faces, her father and his new wife remain indifferent.
Tilman Singer’s direction is heavily focused on creating a strong sense of place. The Alpine setting is both beautiful and foreboding.
The film’s style draws inspiration from filmmakers such as David Lynch and Dario Argento, evident in its surreal and dreamlike presentation.
Singer’s commitment to style results in some sequences such as an inventive bicycle chase that stands out for its creativity and execution.
The film leans heavily into its stylistic choices with Herr König’s character donning scandi-cool monochrome outfits and sporting tiny rimless glasses.
The film’s sound design plays a crucial role in building tension. Sonic vibrations that cause scenes to repeat add an unsettling layer to the narrative.
The score complements the film’s visual elements, enhancing the overall eerie atmosphere and keeping viewers on edge throughout.
The serene setting contrasts sharply with the dark and mysterious events unfolding around Gretchen.
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Hunter Schafer stars as Gretchen, a teenager reeling from the death of her mother and struggling with the challenge of adjusting to her father’s new family dynamic.
Her father, Luis (Márton Csókás) has remarried Beth (Jessica Henwick) and they now live together with their young daughter, Alma (Mila Lieu) in a remote hotel in the Alps.
From the moment she arrives Gretchen senses that something is amiss. The resort’s owner, Herr König exhibits a fascination with her half-sister, Alma, who suffers from seizures and is mute.
Gretchen’s sense of unease grows as she encounters strange occurrences from unexplained noises in the woods to shadowy figures stalking her on her walks home from the hotel’s reception desk.
As night falls Gretchen’s experiences grow increasingly eerie. One of the most moments occurs when she witnesses a fellow hotel guest vomiting in the lobby.
Her interactions with Trixie (Greta Fernández), a co-worker who asks her to cover shifts, further deepen the mystery especially when König reacts strongly to Gretchen’s decision to walk home alone.
Cuckoo suffers from a plot that can be described as opaque with a narrative that often feels disjointed.
Cuckoo pays homage to the works of David Lynch and Dario Argento with its surreal and dreamlike presentation.
Cuckoo can be compared to other indie horrors that prioritize style over substance such as “Longlegs.” However unlike “Longlegs,” “Cuckoo” manages to maintain a goofy streak that sets it apart.
Paul Faltz‘s cinematography plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s surreal and haunting atmosphere.
Shot on 35-millimeter film, the visuals capture the eerie beauty of the Bavarian Alps while amplifying the film’s mood.
Close-ups of twitching ears, fluttering throats and slimy secretions show the film’s body-horror elements.
Audiences have responded positively to the film’s unpredictable nature and willingness to push boundaries. The film’s ability to surprise and entertain has contributed to its success.
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