Cuckoo, one of the most anticipated horror films of the year came to this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival. The film was written and directed by Tilman Singer (Luz). In his sophomore feature film, Cuckoo follows 17-year-old Gretchen as she moves with her family to a resort tucked in the Bavarian Alps. What begins as an already tense situation quickly escalates as Gretchen begins to uncover the dark secrets of her new home.

After many delays, horror fans are chomping at the bit to finally see Cuckoo. Luckily, this film is worth the wait. There are essentially two stories being told that intertwine. On one hand is the story of Gretchen and her family. After growing up in the states, she’s forced to now live with her estranged father, his wife, and their young mute daughter. Being a rebellious teen is hard enough, but having your entire life turned upside down only exacerbates things. It’s made immediately clear that the family views Gretchen as a burden, perhaps with the except of her little half-sister. Even Gretchen’s own father never shows any affection and often blames Gretchen for the problems the family faces after the move. Then there is the far more sinister story at work. This aspect of the film is one that should be kept under wraps. However, I will say Singer crafted a bizarre, twisted story with intricate lore. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before and is so well developed that there are virtually no plot holes to be found. When Gretchen’s story collides with the terror hidden in this rural mountain resort, the tension and emotion reaches highs that will have audiences holding their breath in suspense.

Cuckoo has a cast with many familiar faces, but there are two iconic, stand-out performances. Hunter Schafer (Euphoria, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) stars as Gretchen. Gretchen is a pretty typical teenage girl, caring more about making music and moving back to the states than spending time with her estranged family. Schafer perfectly embodies that sense of teenage rebellion, but she also conveys her character’s compassion, determination, and survival instincts. Dan Stevens (The Guest, Abigail) continues his foray into more eccentric characters by playing the owner of the resort, Herr König. From the moment Stevens is on screen, it’s apparent that König is a quirky, unnerving character. Stevens certainly has fun with the role, masterfully keeping the audience guessing as to whether the character has good or sinister intentions. Other memorable performances come from Jan Bluthardt (Luz), Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (The Vault), and Kalin Morrow.

From the moment Cuckoo begins, audiences get the sense of being transported to a different world. The film is set tucked away in the forests around the Alps, secluded and far away from the rest of society, highlighted by stunning cinematography. Even the wardrobe has a strange whimsy with outfits that look outdated and decades old. The only character who looks like they are from the present is Gretchen, making her further stand apart from those who live in the area. When it comes to the sinister presence threatening Gretchen’s life, audiences are treated to striking creature design. It’s the kind of look that has a certain level of simplicity, yet it still sends chills down the spine. That, as well as some other secret practical effects, lead to frightful imagery to haunt your nightmares. Sound design also plays an important role in Cuckoo. Gretchen plays in a band, which means there is some wonderful original music. Even more important, the creature makes an ominous sound that leads to some shocking consequences.

Cuckoo weaves a unique mythos with familial drama to create a singular creature feature unlike anything that came before. Even with a bigger budget and bigger stars, Singer once again proves his prowess at crafting intimate, complex tales of terror. Schafer gives a powerhouse performance audiences won’t soon forget. The quirky visuals and sinister sounds are sure to put people on edge, setting the tone for the unexpected horrors that are to come. I recommend that you go into this film as blindly as possible and let the pure insanity guide you through every surprising twist and turn.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10