Skip to main content

Cuckoo (2024)

 

Cuckoo is about a teenager who has to survive a family retreat to Germany where stuff just isn't what it looks like.

Writer/director Tilman Singer does a great job of out-of-the-gate writing as this is his second film. There are some issues but they're really few and far between. The main problem with the film wasn't even his fault. All of the scary scenes were in the trailer. It's a problem with many horror films nowadays. Singer also makes a few directorial problems with when to focus the camera on the main character.

Speaking of the main character, Hunter Schafer carries the film and sells the final girl but also the root-worthy heroine. I know she's not known for this but she has a video game that's coming out by the legendary Hideo Kojima that after seeing this film has really made me believe in her acting ability.

Legion himself, Dan Stevens plays the main villain. While not the monster, he plays the conduit that adds tension and mystery to the film. His filmography is all over the place with some good and some over the top. Here, I have no complaints.

Let's get this out of the way, by the half way point of the film you'll have a theory. That theory will be correct and I'm sure plenty of content-hungry YouTubers will post a "Cuckoo explained" video. Don't bother, your theory is correct. The film has some good terror, a slow start, and some cut-worthy scenes. Result: B+

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One  has a long name, long runtime, and long action sequences. Christopher McQuarrie  has directed Tom Cruise  in 4 out of his 5 directorial movies, the first being Jack Reacher . He has much more impressive writing credentials. But to talk about the direction of the movie, he knows how to direct action and chase scenes but when it comes to dialogue there were some issues I had with camera angles. I totally forgot that McQuarrie  had written The Usual Suspects,  which can explain some of the dialogue choices in this film. He knows how to write so that the audience remembers the characters' names, unlike Tony Gilroy . There's no connection there I just think that's one of my major criticisms of Gilroy. Tom Cruise looks like he's forty years old, but is actually sixty at the time of release. He has some great two-liners which seem to be more of his go-to, not only for adding emotions but for the trailer purpose. There are ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Scream 7

Scream 7 (2026) marks the return of Kevin Williamson , the original writer of Scream , now stepping back in to write and direct. The result is a sequel that feels closer in spirit to the franchise’s roots. It balances meta commentary with straightforward slasher brutality and, for the most part, it works. Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott and immediately grounds the film. Her presence alone gives the story weight, and the script wisely centers her instead of sidelining her. There are a few cameos from figures in Sidney’s past that longtime fans will appreciate, and while some feel more nostalgic than necessary, they never fully derail the pacing. Also, she's not past her prime. Isabel May , known for 1883 and Alexa & Katie , steps into a major role and holds her own as Sidney's daughter. She brings a modern energy without feeling like a forced replacement, and her dynamic with Campbell adds tension that feels organic rather than manufactured. The violence is tu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crime 101 (2026)

Crime 101 (2026) is a crime thriller that checks the basic boxes of what should work, but the writing never tightens enough to make it compelling. It hits familiar beats, runs longer than it should, and never quite earns its tension. It feels like a good movie outline stretched into a full runtime. Bart Layton , known for American Animals and The Imposter , directs, and his uneven filmography shows here. The structure is serviceable, but the pacing drags and the scenes lack urgency. The direction is competent without being memorable, and the film never finds a sharp identity. Chris Hemsworth , known for Thor and Extraction , plays the reclusive criminal at the center of the story. He tries to lean into a quieter, more internal performance, but he does not fully sell the damaged foster child mentality the script is aiming for. The performance feels like an attempt rather than a transformation. Mark Ruffalo , recognized for Spotlight and The Avengers , feels like he is on autopilo...
Post a Comment
Read more