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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+

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