Film Review

Cuckoo (2024) — picturesque nightmare photobombed by incoherence

A 17-year-old girl is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem.

NEON has distinguished itself as one of the most experimental production houses in recent years. It has provided a platform for several filmmakers including Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) and Brandon Cronenberg (Infinity Pool) to challenge audiences with their unconventional storytelling. Arriving in the wake of the titanic marketing campaign for Oz Perkins’ Longlegs (2024), their latest venture feels like the next step of the distribution companies’ conquest to dominate the horror genre. Written and directed by Tilman Singer, Cuckoo immediately builds intrigue within the opening minutes. Focusing primarily on creating a haunting atmosphere and cultivating a sinister ambience, it joins NEON’s repertoire of audacious and entertaining stories that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

After suffering the devastating loss of her mother, Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) finds herself uprooted from her American home and reluctantly relocated…