Cuckoo (2024) -A Misunderstood Modern Horror Masterpiece - Movie Review
I am going to say it: Cuckoo deserved all of the hype that Longlegs got (and then some more). It has so much of what the horror genre could offer you and more: an unsettling monster, an absolutely insane and original narrative, evocative themes and symbolism, a wicked score, top-notch visuals, a brave and bloodied heroine, a goofy yet somehow still menacing villain, and even a twisted sense of humor. Unfortunately, not everyone understood Tilman Singer's sophomore film: Cuckoo (2024). Why? You may ask. I think a giant reason for people not loving this film is some people took this film far too seriously. Yes, this film is thematically dense and it should be analyzed; but at its core, this film is an absurd fever dream. A24 and Neon films particularly have almost set a standard in the horror genre that makes it seem like films such as Cuckoo should have a direct meaning and message. Cuckoo is entirely its own movie. Cuckoo transcends "elevated horror". That is what makes this film so special: you create its own meaning as you experience it. Over its themes of grief and autonomy, this film emphasizes the absurdity within. With all of the elements of a great horror film, ambiguity, and dialing the heat up to 11 with its Cuckoo-ness, Cuckoo is a film that has won my heart. I hope it wins your heart too.
The film begins as we follow a 17 year old girl who is forced to move to a resort with her family after the death of her mother. Hunter Schaefer plays the lead and does so with authority. Hunter Schaefer is absolutely incredible in this. Put her in everything please. She portrays a sense of fear and grief that feels genuinely gut wrenching.
The metaphor for this film about grief is there, but it is by no means the glue to this film. This film is enhanced tremendously by the metaphor and is all the better for it, but it doesn’t rely on just that. It is also about autonomy, cycles, naivety, family, love, losing touch with reality. and is ambiguous enough to be about plenty of other things as well. There are other obvious themes and messaging particularly revolving around alienation and the mirroring of the cuckoo mimicry system. The cuckoo mimicry system is when a parasitic Cuckoo drops an egg similar to another cuckoos eggs and puts it in their nest to avoid rejection of the egg and therefore there species. While I could sit here and type what I think the overall message and the overall meaning is of that particularly, I think it is far more interesting for the viewer to be left to their own devices to find out what it means to them. I am just in awe of how much is going on and how much it affected me intuitively. This film is pure nightmare fuel. Isn’t that what losing someone would feel like? What comes next? All of these questions I have left lingering do not take away from my viewing experience one bit. I see it as a positive. I love when films can make me think endlessly about them.
This film is a surrealist fever dream that does not feel like it will end. You are terrified one moment and then you are laughing the next. You are crying one moment and then you are cringing the next. it’s sense of humor took plenty of people by surprise and I’m seeing mixed things about it; but I personally cannot get enough of it. I think it adds to the off-putting vibes this film already exudes. it gives itself even more originality.
The visuals, set design, and cinematography in this left my jaw dropped. I think the visual aspect of this film will get overlooked, but not by me. There were so many scenes that left me feeling uneasy by the way they were shot alone. So many close-ups of hearts pumping, dizzying camera angles, and a killer split diopter shot that you will not forget.
The score of this film is an all-timer for me. There is a specific moment where the score had a baseline playing on top of it and I want that part of the film injected into my veins.
My theater was having a blast it seemed on each viewing. I couldn’t tell if they were laughing at the film or laughing with it, but I choose to believe the latter. One thing is always the same about peoples reaction to this film: I have not heard one person complain that this film is unoriginal. If nothing else, this film is entirely original. A one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
This film RIPS and it is perfect. I wish more people understood me; but I will die on this hill. Welcome Cuckoo to the club of films that I will hold near to my heart 🫶.
Rating: 10/10