Cuckoo

Cuckoo is a horror film set to release in the United States on August 9, 2024, after its world premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024. The film is directed and written by Tilman Singer and features a talented cast including Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Marton Csokas, Jessica Henwick, and Jan Bluthardt.

In Cuckoo, the story follows a teenager named Gretchen, played by Hunter Schafer, who moves to a secluded area in the Bavarian Alps with her father and stepmother after her mother's death. The family's purpose is to help build a new hotel, managed by the mysterious Herr König, portrayed by Dan Stevens. However, strange and frightening occurrences soon disturb their new life, leading Gretchen to uncover a sinister plot involving her father's boss.

Upon arrival, Gretchen begins working at the hotel front desk, where unsettling incidents start to unfold. Guests frequently fall ill, and Gretchen faces terrifying experiences, including an encounter with a hooded woman during a bike ride home. When she meets a detective named Henry, played by Jan Bluthardt, who is investigating a related murder, she realizes the threat is more significant than she could have imagined.

As the story progresses, Gretchen's attempts to escape with a fellow guest named Ed are thwarted by eerie happenings, including a mysterious shriek that causes chaos. Henry informs Gretchen about the dangerous hooded woman, suggesting that she may be behind the strange events and a recent murder case. The tension builds as they plot to uncover the truth and protect Gretchen's family.

The revelations escalate when it's revealed that the hooded woman is not merely a person but part of an otherworldly species that uses humans for reproduction. As Gretchen fights to protect her family and her sister Alma, she confronts both her fears and the bizarre realities surrounding her new home.

With a runtime of 103 minutes, Cuckoo has garnered attention for its unique blend of horror, suspense, and dark themes. The film was produced with a budget of $7 million and has so far tallied approximately $6.7 million at the box office.

Critics have responded positively to the film, highlighting the performances of Schafer and Stevens. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes indicates that 78% of critics have given the film favorable reviews, while Metacritic assigned it a score of 62 out of 100. The consensus praises its inventive direction and the engaging performances by the lead actors.

As the anticipation builds for its U.S. release, fans of horror and thrilling narratives are keeping their eyes peeled for Cuckoo, which promises to deliver a chilling experience against the backdrop of the stunning yet foreboding Alps.