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- Brace for Deranged Impact After a Slow Burn
- Beware the Hooded Woman and the Excellent Supporting Cast
- Jessica Henwick Is Underused but Marton Csokas Is Phenomenal
- Cuckoo Is a Trip That May Confuse but Give the Ending Some Thought
Alright, let me tell y’all about my experience with the movie, Cuckoo. Now, I ain’t no film critic or nothin’, but I do know a good ol’ horror flick when I see one. And lemme tell you, this here movie is a doozy!
Hello, sometimes we pick up some insights even at the cinema! The title “Cuckoo” suits perfectly for the fresh, uncensored horror thriller from NEON that’s out this week. It’s also the name of an interesting bird species known for its unique lifestyle, which mirrors the central theme of this wild new film directed by Tilman Singer (Luz)). The movie stars Hunter Schafer (Euphoria) and Dan Stevens (Legion). In “Cuckoo”, we travel to Europe for an exclusive, isolated journey that explores the sometimes debatable decisions individuals make in their pursuit of creating a stunning family.
If you felt let down by the minimal screen presence of Schafer in Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest unsettling film “Kinds of Kindness,” then brace yourself for a display of skill. The rising star strengthens her leading-lady Hollywood stature in the thought-provoking thriller, “Cuckoo.”
Brace for Deranged Impact After a Slow Burn
Progressive films are surprisingly adopting a more traditional and antique aesthetic that aligns with their subject matter, resulting in an exciting outcome. In a similar vein, the film “Cuckoo” is set in a bygone era, as suggested by the cassette tape players and other vintage gadgets our protagonist Gretchen (Schafer) uses, and is beautifully filmed on 35mm film, with the classic tones enhancing the overall setting. The direction and cinematography keep you engaged until the terror unfolds.
Gretchen’s upcoming voyage takes her reluctantly from America, across continents, to the German Alps, accompanying her estranged father Luis (Marton Csokas) and his new wife Beth (Jessess Henwick). As her life with her mother now seems over, their bond is limited to messages Gretchen leaves on her mom’s answering machine in the U.S.
Living in the Alps isn’t about owning a large isolated home for Luis; instead, he’s settled his expanding family into a resort that appears to be under Mr. König’s (Stevens) management. Luis and Beth have a young daughter named Alma (Mila Lieu), making her Gretchen’s half-sister biologically. However, Gretchen is reluctant to form a connection, not because of Alma’s muteness but due to a matter of principle. It doesn’t help matters that Beth is expecting another child soon, which intensifies Gretchen’s feelings of discomfort and displacement in this rather uncomfortable situation.
And when it comes to being nosy, König might just be one of the most intrusive bosses you’ll ever meet, especially where Luis’ family and Gretchen are concerned; he acts like the overly curious neighbors from Rosemary’s Baby on steroids. Stevens is quite eccentric here, with a strange humor that’s hard to ignore. His very presence unsettles Gretchen in ways she can’t yet comprehend, but as the resort begins to attract oddly ominous guests, these feelings start to make sense…
Beware the Hooded Woman and the Excellent Supporting Cast
Later, a chilling intensity envelopes the estate, as Gretchen experiences bizarre hallucinations that seem to pause and freeze time for her. She develops an affection for a captivating visitor named Ed (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey), who initiates a playful game of cat and mouse. However, when they attempt to leave the estate, Gretchen inexplicably winds up in a local hospital, unable to comprehend the circumstances. König, the enigmatic figurehead, appears omnipresent, while the series continues to deepen the mystery and suspense at every turn.
It’s worth noting that all European actors involved are top-notch, alongside the big names who headline the movie. Kudos to Jan Bluthardt, particularly, for his portrayal of local detective Henry. He develops a guardian-like relationship with Gretchen when she repeatedly warns about the mysterious events happening near the resort.
Jessica Henwick Is Underused but Marton Csokas Is Phenomenal
It’s intriguing to see Jessica Henwick receiving almost top billing in this large cast, a common Hollywood tactic to spotlight its leading actor – an unexpected move given that she actually has a rather minor role. However, this doesn’t mean her heartfelt portrayal of a distressed mother isn’t impressive. In fact, the high-profile casting suggests that the marketing team for Cuckoo is leveraging Henwick’s fame from her previous blockbuster collaborations with Marvel and other high-profile productions.
In my humble opinion as a film critic, it’s undeniably Marton Csokas who steals the limelight in this production, surpassing even the stellar performances of Schafer and Stevens. Known for his captivatingly villainous roles in classics like ‘XXX’ and ‘The Bourne Supremacy’, here Csokas steps into a more tender, fragile character – an older father embarking on a new family journey. It’s refreshing to see the versatility of this gifted actor.
Cuckoo Is a Trip That May Confuse but Give the Ending Some Thought
As a seasoned fan of psychological horror, I must say that “Cuckoo” is nothing short of a masterpiece. Having seen my fair share of mind-bending narratives, I can confidently assert that this series stands out as one of the most relentlessly trippy productions I’ve ever encountered.
If the play ends and you’re initially unsure about everything, we discovered that delving deeper into the mysteries of Cuckoo (maybe by discussing it online) can make its intricate plot seem more appealing over time. The movie, titled Cuckoo from NEON, is set to hit theaters on August 9th.
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2024-08-09 23:31