Cuckoo
Performance & Direction: Cuckoo Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Cuckoo (2024) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Cuckoo features a noteworthy lineup led by Hunter Schafer . Supported by the likes of Jan Bluthardt and Marton Csokas , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Cuckoo
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2024, Cuckoo is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film directed by Tilman Singer. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Hunter Schafer.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. After reluctantly moving to the German Alps with her father and his new family, Gretchen discovers that their new town hides sinister secrets, as she's plagued by strange noises and frightening visions of a woman pursuing her. Director Tilman Singer uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Cuckoo
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Tilman Singer, Cuckoo attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Hunter Schafer, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Cuckoo reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Cuckoo?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Cuckoo
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $6.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Cuckoo Budget
The estimated production budget for Cuckoo is $7.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Cuckoo
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Cuckoo Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Netflix
VI movies and tvCuckoo Parents Guide & Age Rating
2024 AdvisoryWondering about Cuckoo age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Cuckoo is 103 minutes (1h 43m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, Cuckoo is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2024 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cuckoo worth watching?
Cuckoo is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Cuckoo parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Cuckoo identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Cuckoo?
The total duration of Cuckoo is 103 minutes, which is approximately 1h 43m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Cuckoo
How Cuckoo Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Cuckoo
Dan Stevens had a chance in "I'm Your Man" (2021) to hone his German impersonation skills for this rather weak mystery. He owns a sprawling resort in the Bavarian countryside that's visited by the teenage "Gretchen" (Hunter Schafer) and her family. Her father "Luis" (Martin Csokas) is to design a new complex for "Herr König" who kindly offers the young woman a job in his hotel. It's when she cycles home after a very quiet shift one night that she is pursued by a mysterious woman with bright red eyes. Luckily, she can take refuge in the local hospital, but of course nobody believes her far-fetched tale. Meantime, her mute step-sister "Alma" (Mila Lieu) seems to be experiencing some serious inexplicable traumas and ends up in the same hospital. Might the incidents be connected; just what has their enigmatic host got to do with things and what's the agenda of the outwardly friendly ex-cop "Henry" (Jan Bluthardt)? Auteur Tilman Singer has a good go at creating something a little off-the-wall with this film, but sadly the really mediocre acting talent on display here let's the potential quirkiness of the plot down quite badly. There's far too much meaningless dialogue, dysfunctional familial drama and the pace, presumably designed to build a sense of menace, rather builds one of ennui and inevitability as the "cuckoo" theory is disappointingly undercooked and the denouement quite rushed. It's watchable enough, but I'm sure I'll never remember it,
A new midgnight classic.
Cuckoo, directed by Tilman Singer, is kind of a mixed bag. I didn’t really like it, but I didn’t completely hate it either. The movie starts off with a slow, eerie pace in this isolated setting, and for a while, it felt like something big was coming. I was waiting for that moment where it would all click and be great, but it just didn’t happen. The story seemed lost, like it couldn't make up its mind, and it really dragged the whole experience down. It was frustrating because there’s good cinematography, and the production quality is there, but the plot? Just a mess. Hunter Schafer, who plays "Gretchen," didn’t bring much to the role. I know they can act; they’re solid in Euphoria, but here, Gretchen felt cold and flat, with no real emotion or depth. It’s like the character was there, but there was nothing to connect to. Overall, Cuckoo had some promising elements but just couldn’t bring it all together. It’s one of those movies that leaves you feeling a bit let down because you can see the potential — it just didn’t live up to it.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
