2024 has seen a wide array of horror film releases, from the goofy Abigail, to the bizarre Longlegs. Most recently however, NEON has released Tilman Singer’s newest film Cuckoo, and what an aptly named film it is.
Cuckoo is certainly a horror film that approaches its subject from outside the box, and is a nasty addition to the horror canon this year. How does it compare to other films released this year as well as horror throughout the years?
Let’s find out!
Cuckoo is Bananas!
Cuckoo starts like many traditional horror films. A young, angsty, teenage girl arrives at a secluded resort in Germany with her ignorant father and stepmother, and things there are not what they seem. Singer is not afraid to lean into classic horror tropes in order to get to where he wants. While the formula is typical, the story that follows is anything but. In fact, the “plot” of the film is so outrageous and, quite honestly, confusing, that I don’t dare try and sum it up here for you. I can, however, tell you what sets this film apart. And it is a lot of things.
Hunter Schafer as the lead and “final girl” of the film, Gretchen, is outstanding. Dan Stevens’ turn as the villainous and creepy Ornithologist/Resort Manager is deliciously dark. Filmed on 35 millimeter film, the movie looks absolutely gorgeous and crisp. Once the real villain of the story is revealed, she’s very hard to forget. The combination of unsettling, violent, and sometimes wacky imagery with the almost unbearable sound effects and music is a treat. With a name like Cuckoo, the film easily transcends into a bonkers scare-fest almost as soon as Gretchen and her family check in. The only thing that falters here, is the story itself.
To Plot, or not to Plot?
The only real problem I had with Singer’s film is that there is a lot left up to the imagination. When compared to another recent horror flick, Longlegs, you can see a clear divide in the filmmaking/storytelling style of Cuckoo. For example, Longlegs also follows a typical horror formula. A young FBI agent is tasked with finding a mysterious and dangerous serial killer, à la Silence of the Lambs. While the plot of Longlegs eventually wanders into supernatural absurdism, its still clear what is going on. This however, became a mark against that film, as when there is too much explanation, it takes the fear away.
So while Cuckoo‘s story may be full of holes and leaves you guessing as to why the things that happened happened, there is a certain pleasure to the uncertainty of these motivations. Leaving a large part of the plot unchecked, Singer allows his audience to take all of this insanity as it is, watching his bloody and disturbing story unfold, no questions asked. It gives the film an easy watchability, as you don’t have to worry about why things happen, they simply happen. I was frustrated with the lack of closure or information when I left the theater. Looking back now I understand it would’ve been pointless to try and give nonsensical reasons for the nonsense going on. As it is, Singer’s storytelling remains a double-edged sword.
Horror Movies in 2024
Horror has always been a very exciting genre, keeping audiences coming back to be scared again and again. Over the years it’s seen its share of crap however, especially in the early 2000s, with lazy slashers and tame psychological thrillers. It wasn’t until the 2010s when filmmakers like James Wan, Jordan Peele, and Ari Aster started getting big, that well-made horror films made a comeback. And ever since A24 started releasing films such as Hereditary and The VVitch, it seems that every slap-happy horror fan has been trying to top the outrageous, the depraved, and the creepiest of these films. Cuckoo fits nicely into this era of horror filmmaking. And 2024 has had a lot of films attempting the same thing.
What stands out most with these recent films is the overt self-awareness. At this point you’d be hard-pressed to find an original horror film story. Most writers and directors seem to be leaning into the “meta” filmmaking practice. Abigail is a perfectly schlocky and gory vampire film, a throwback to midnight movies and B-level horror pictures. In a Violent Nature follows the undead killer at a camp ground, reversing the perspective of films like Friday the 13th. MaXXXine is a throwback to the 80s, continuing its trilogy’s slasher antics while also satirizing the production side of horror movies. The aforementioned Longlegs takes a known premise and lets Nic Cage go absolutely wild in an over-the-top serial killer performance. And now, Cuckoo has hit the screens, creating a mythology unlike any other.
The Hilarity of Horror
Jordan Peele once said “The difference between horror and comedy is the music.” And it really is true. Comedy and Horror are, by principle, very similar in the way they operate. The only difference between a punchline and a jump-scare is your heart rate. What’s most refreshing about a lot of the horror films being made today is the unabashed sense of humor. This is key when dealing in tired genres. Filmmakers and writers of horror these days know what they’re bringing to the table. It’s up to them to surprise the viewer, and not just through scares alone, but through humor.
Horror can work very well when done dark and unrelenting. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Hereditary don’t offer many laughs, which makes them visceral films to indulge in. Comedy however, can work to both alleviate tension, or make things even more uncomfortable. I believe that this is what separates this generation of horror films from others. While the “horror comedy” has always been around, only recently has such a self-aware version of this genre taken charge.
The 2000s had its share of boring, overdone gore-fests, such as the Saw series. It also had countless remakes of classics like Halloween and Friday the 13th. While Hollywood continues to remake and reboot, the 2020s has seen a large import of quirky and kooky horror stories, with Cuckoo fitting right in alongside its odd cinematic millieu. For this, I salute Mr Tilman Singer, for taking a “cuckoo” concept and selling it as it is.
