Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo, which premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in February of this year, stars Hunter Schafer—best known for her captivating role in the HBO teen drama series Euphoria—in one of her best performances yet. Dan Stevens, who has previously impressed in The Guest and Downton Abbey, delivers a chilling and magnetic performance. The film also features Jessica Henwick (The Matrix Resurrections, Iron Fist) and Marton Csokas (The Equalizer, Lord of the Rings) and newcomer Mila Lieu.
After her mother’s death, grieving teenager Gretchen (Schafer) moves with her father Luis (Csokas), stepmother Beth (Henwick) and mute half-sister Alma (Lieu) to a resort town in the Bavarian Alps. The family is there to help build a new hotel, overseen by the enigmatic Herr König (a gloriously sinister Dan Stevens), who offers Gretchen a job at the front desk to help her adjust.
Soon after their arrival, strange things begin to happen. Gretchen encounters multiple female guests vomiting while working at the reception desk, Alma suffers seizures triggered by a mysterious reverberating shriek, and Gretchen has a terrifying encounter with a hooded woman while biking home one night, but the police dismiss the incident as a prank.
Director Tilman Singer, known for his atmospheric debut Luz, demonstrates his knack for creating a haunting, almost suffocating ambiance in Cuckoo. The film’s setting, a seemingly quaint yet ominous town, becomes a character in itself, exuding an air of malevolence that creeps into every frame. Singer’s vision is one of eerie surrealism, where themes of isolation, fear of the unknown and the fragility of the mind are explored with meticulous attention to detail.
Hunter Schafer delivers a stunning performance as Gretchen, her portrayal capturing the character’s raw vulnerability and resilience with a hypnotic intensity. Her layered performance unveils the slow unravelling of a young woman grappling with the loss of a loved one.
Stevens’ portrayal of Herr König is a deliciously over-the-top masterclass in controlled menace. His sinister character is both calculating and darkly humorous, a performance that perfectly balances calculated villainy with a knowing wink to the audience.
Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo is a haunting and intricately crafted film that lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s unsettling atmosphere, paired with standout performances from Schafer and Stevens, makes it a potential award contender. Cuckoo excels in its exploration of disturbing themes, creating a memorable and unforgettable cinematic experience. Another cracking offering from a filmmaker who already knows his craft inside out.
