Cuckoo Movie Review

Cuckoo Movie Review | Cuckoo is the second feature film from German director Tilman Singer and stars rising star Hunter Schafer from Euphoria fame. Cuckoo is very similar to his first film, Luz, which he directed in 2018 while still in film school. It’s similar in the sense that both projects seem to be throwing a lot at the wall and seeing what sticks. There’s a willingness to experiment with aesthetics and genre elements, which can, of course, be a positive thing. It opens up possibilities to appreciate the film from a variety of angles but also makes it less likely to come together as a cohesive whole. That’s generally what I found to be the case with Cuckoo.

What is Cuckoo About?

This film follows Hunter Schafer’s character as she journeys to the German Alps with her parents—more specifically, her father and her stepmother—alongside her half-sister. Her parents spent their honeymoon at this resort and are essentially helping the owner build or expand this property. Schafer plays a brooding teen who doesn’t want to be there with her parents and, more specifically, with her mute half-sister. As the story progresses, supernatural elements start to creep in, and certain things happen around Schafer’s character that can’t quite be explained. This essentially thrusts Schafer into the forefront, into a detective role, either out of necessity or to actually save her life.

The opening scene becomes much more significant as the film progresses. That being said, there’s an inability to maintain that same degree of tension throughout. There are moments where one is very much taken out of this film. Some of it has to do with the performances. Schafer was perfectly fine, but her character’s journey doesn’t give much to hold on to from an emotional perspective. While the brooding teen turned unlikely hero is somewhat relatable, there isn’t a tremendous emotional arc that feels natural and gives the audience something tangible to connect with.

There are also little things like Schafer’s stepmother’s accent seemingly changing from scene to scene, making it difficult to stay immersed in the film. The characters, as written, are a bit caricatured and exaggerated versions of familiar film tropes, which can be fun but are not grounded in genuine human behavior. If you enjoy supernatural horror thrillers and don’t mind characters leaning into exaggerated versions of themselves, this won’t be an issue. However, if you prefer something raw and grounded, Cuckoo might not be for you.

As mentioned earlier, Singer is doing a lot here, mixing in various genres. While it’s described as a horror film, it also incorporates elements of satire, crime thriller, and even aspects of old noir films. These don’t always fit well with the aesthetic and tonal elements present throughout the film. Beyond the shifting genre elements, there’s a lot of play with the camera, particularly in its placement. There is a frequent use of low-angle shots, creating a sense of unease. The average viewer might not analyze this technically but can sense that something is off when the camera isn’t at eye level.

Directorial Choices from Tilman Singer

There are more shots in this project where the camera is at a very aggressive low angle versus a natural eye level, creating anxiety and a creeping sensation that something isn’t right. At times, it does feel excessive, as if the camera is placed in certain positions just to be different. Despite being taken out of the film every so often, there are engaging elements like playing with time, shadow, and sound design, which eases the viewer into the surreal and supernatural.

There is a thematic exploration throughout the film tied to the visuals and the title, Cuckoo. This refers to the cuckoo bird, which lays its eggs in another bird’s nest. When the cuckoo bird hatches, it knocks the other eggs out, forcing itself to be raised by the other bird. This serves as a metaphor for motherhood, family, and the contrast between blood family and chosen family. While the intention is evident, there isn’t much new or interesting being said.

Is Cuckoo Worth Watching?

Tilman Singer has created a film that tries to do a lot and succeeds in many aspects, but it’s far from perfect. Still, if you’re interested in the supernatural horror genre, it’s definitely worth a watch and is better than most other films currently in theaters. | Cuckoo Movie Review

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