Despite being let down by one of the most disturbing aspects/plot twists of the movie, this film was an enjoyable horror that will have you rooting for the main character and undecided about many others.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Cuckoo was a delightful blend of modern horror and campy classics that had me smiling throughout some of the spookiest and most suspenseful scenes.
One thing about my taste in horror movies is that I judge based on my ability to enjoy the film, not its ability to scare me. It is not difficult to scare me with a sudden camera flip or alarming noise. It is difficult to keep me in an enjoyable suspense that leaves me wanting more, and I felt this film did that.
Any movie can be scary, or deeply disturbing. Telling an engaging story with those aspects included in good taste is much more challenging.
I also firmly dislike movies that are marketed as horror but end up being utterly disgusting. These types of movies are often aiming for a shock factor that in my opinion is not enjoyable to watch. This is why I was surprised at this movie’s ability to redeem itself — or rather maintain its level of entertainment after being a bit disturbing and gross for my taste.
Cuckoo is a story that follows Gretchen and her somewhat estranged family as she is forced to live with her father, his new wife, and her younger step-sister after her mother’s recent passing. The movie takes place at a resort in Germany where her father and step-mother are developing their plans for their own new resort.
Gretchen soon discovers that things are not what they seem, especially after dark. Women are often found disoriented, the desk is not attended after 10 p.m., and hypnotic noises the perception of time in a loop. After Gretchen is chased and attacked by a mysterious red-eyed woman she demands answers.
What she doesn’t expect is for no one to believe her.
One of my favorite aspects of the film was the calculated use of music to immerse the viewers and add to the campy themes of the movie.
One thing you will see me write about in movies is music choice. Music can make or break the way a story is told. The beginning of the clip linked below (one of my favorite scenes) is a perfect example of the way music impacts a suspenseful scene.
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According to the CBR interview with director Tilman Singer, the punk song Gretchen is listening to on her bike was actually a song he wrote with friends on a recording device years ago. Now, he is “putting the song in every movie somewhere.”
Gretchen’s love of music impacts her ability to both be in control and escape her current reality. Music not only serves as protection later in the film, but also serves as a bridge for connection between herself and her younger step-sister who is unable to speak.
Not only did I think the music choices advanced the movie-watching experience, but I also felt the underlying message about the impact of music and connection was an important one.
If you would like to listen to “Gretchen’s Song” from the Cuckoo playlist while reading the rest of this article, here is the link.
Cuckoo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Simon Waskow on Apple Music
Listen to Cuckoo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Simon Waskow on Apple Music. 2024. 22 Songs. Duration: 43…
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Hunter Schafer’s portrayal of grief, disconnection, and terror is gripping. Her portrayal of Gretchen is relatable and indicative of a realistic member of Gen Z. Where many movies fall short in their writing of Gen Z characters, this movie nailed it.
Poor horror movie decisions were kept to a minimum. (Thank goodness.) In my opinion, it is hard to get into a movie where the characters are making the dumbest possible choices. As the movie Scream famously states, most horror movies have a girl “who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door…”
Gretchen moves fast and keeps her wits about her, often making the smart decision that you would imagine yourself making if placed in her shoes. In fact, I enjoyed that not every aspect of the plot was verbally explained — characters have revelations and act on instincts that are communicated to the viewers through the art of acting — not through dialogue.
This strategy throughout the movie did make for a tidy 1 hour and 42-minute story. Although I enjoy a shorter movie myself, I think some of the scenes could have benefitted from a bit longer screen time. It is clear as some scenes jump sporadically and that lots of takes likely ended up on the cutting room floor.
I enjoyed the unique and unexpected cinematography. Oftentimes the jump scares weren’t what one would expect, and the roles of the protagonists and antagonists were not always clear. There is a lot of room for the audience to interpret each character in their own way. Additionally, the uniquely original methods for capturing the horror in this movie make it an exciting watch for even the most avid movie watchers.
Gretchen’s clever nature is something to be admired and something that also came as a pleasant surprise, nothing frustrates me more than a character being written to make irrational decisions.
Spoiler: I will note that I did not enjoy one of the main plot twists in this story. The entire plot of the “red-eyed women” trying to impregnate their victims made me cringe quite a bit. While I understand this was part of a larger message about animalistic nature, motherly instincts, and the strength of women — I really felt like the more graphic scenes were unnecessary. This was the “gross and disturbing” part of the movie I mentioned earlier.
This is the type of plot twist that makes you not want to watch this movie with other people, and even makes you a bit hesitant to recommend it simply because it is uncomfortable to watch. However, I will say even with my strong opinions about that plot point, this movie was still an enjoyable watch.
It will pull at your heart strings, make you laugh, and take you on a wild ride. I think this film is definitely worth a watch.
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