“I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this.”
McMurphy-One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
I couldn’t watch Cuckoo when it was released, so I decided to save it for Halloweenfest. I’m a huge fan of Dan Stevens, and the premise sounded intriguing. I wouldn’t say I was particularly excited since many reviews were less than favorable, but I wanted to form my own opinion. Sadly, I should have listened to the warnings.
Cuckoo follows Gretchen, a teenager sent to live with her father in the German Alps after her mother’s sudden death. As she struggles with grief and adjusting to her new life, Gretchen begins to uncover disturbing secrets that plunge her into a dark, spiraling nightmare.
Let’s start with the positives. Dan Stevens delivers a performance that shines through even the film’s weakest parts. He’s magnetic, bringing a palpable sense of unease every time he’s on screen. His character injects a much-needed dose of energy into the film, and without him, Cuckoo would be a slog. The cinematography, particularly in the nighttime shots, is atmospheric and visually engaging, lending a stylish quality to an otherwise lackluster movie.
However, the positives stop there. Hunter Schafer’s performance as Gretchen is disappointingly flat. She may have shined in Euphoria, but her portrayal here lacks emotional depth and energy, making it difficult to connect with her character. As for the script, it’s messy, filled with disjointed scenes that fail to build any meaningful tension. The editing only adds to the problem, cutting in ways that make the story feel even more confusing rather than contributing to a sense of dread or suspense. Tilman Singer’s direction lacks the finesse needed to salvage the story, leaving the film tonally unbalanced.
Cuckoo feels like a missed opportunity. Despite strong visual elements and Dan Stevens’ commendable performance, the film falters due to a weak script and an underwhelming lead. Disjointed pacing and an inability to build tension effectively make it hard not to feel disappointed. Ultimately, Cuckoo could have been a chilling psychological horror, but instead, it stumbles, leaving the viewer unsatisfied and longing for a stronger narrative and more gripping performances.
Rating: 4/10
