As a seasoned cinephile who’s seen my fair share of films, I must admit that ‘Cuckoo‘ has left quite an impression on me. Having watched countless horror movies and psychological thrillers, I can confidently say that this film stands out from the crowd. The blend of family drama, body horror, and mind-bending elements is something truly unique in today’s cinematic landscape.
This year’s “Cuckoo” ranks fourth on Hulu’s most-watched movie list, which is predominantly filled with holiday films. Released on December 17, this underestimated film features Hunter Schafer (“Euphoria”) and Dan Stevens (“Legion”). The plot revolves around Gretchen (played by Schafer), a 17-year-old who shifts to the German Alps to reside with her distant father, Luis (Marton Csokas), and his young spouse and their child. Upon arrival, Gretchen discovers that things are not what they seem, and she soon finds herself in a perilous situation – one that frequently resembles a bewildering nightmare – engineered by her father’s employer, Mr. König (portrayed by Stevens).
The film titled “Cuckoo” combines elements of psychological terror, domestic storytelling, and physical transformation, delving into topics such as family dynamics, personal identity, and self-determination. This NEON production is the work of German director Tilman Singer, who is also known for “Luz”. Despite not performing well commercially, earning only $6.7 million against a production cost of $7 million, it received positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has garnered a 79% approval rating among critics, while audience response was slightly lower with a score of 59%.
Critics highly commended the standout performances of the feature, specifically singling out Schafer and Stevens for their exceptional work. In our critique, Will Sayre from MovieWeb states that Schafer “establishes her leading-actress status in Hollywood with this thought-provoking thriller,” and also acknowledges Csokas’ brilliant portrayal of the intriguing and multi-dimensional character, Luis.
Among the notable actors in this production, beyond Schafer and Stevens, it’s Marton Csokas who truly shines. Known for his menacing roles in films like ‘XXX‘ and ‘The Bourne Supremacy‘, Csokas here takes on a more sensitive character – an older father attempting to embark on starting a family again.
The Problem with ‘Cuckoo’
Regardless of its stellar acting lineup, the film “Cuckoo” has its drawbacks. While some reviewers (even those who praise Schafer, Stevens, and the entire “Cuckoo” cast) believe the narrative is insufficiently detailed and perplexing, Roger Ebert’s Christy Lemire, in a scathing two-star critique, asserts:
Understanding the intricacies of this puzzling enigma proves to be a diversion that the movie fails to regain after. Perhaps revealing more details or less could have helped. A touch of vagueness might have been beneficial; Singer manages to create such an ominous atmosphere, it could have kept us captivated. Unfortunately, we move from ‘Wow’ to ‘Hang on a minute,’ which disrupts the overall impact.
In spite of some storyline challenges, the film “Cuckoo” has garnered a substantial fanbase among enthusiasts of genre films and art house cinema. The movie’s surrealistic visuals, crafted by Singer, are particularly captivating. On Hulu’s Top 10 movie ranking, which is presently dominated by festive titles, “Cuckoo” stands out as the lone horror entry. At the summit of this chart is the Will Ferrell-fronted comedy “Elf“, followed by various holiday offerings such as “The Polar Express, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Christmas Break, A Sudden Case of Christmas, Christmas with the Kranks“, the Hulu exclusive “Nutcrackers“, and “Fred Claus“. The only other film not focused on Christmas is the survival thriller “No Way Up“, which currently ranks third.
You can stream the movie titled “Cuckoo,” featuring Schafer, Jan Bluthardt, Csokas, Jessica Henwick, and Stevens, on Hulu.
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2024-12-20 06:32