Cuckoo

 

     Written and directed by Tillman Singer, this new horror film is less horror and more simply deranged. It is one of the strangest films I've seen in a while and it's certainly not for everyone.

     The film stars Hunter Schafer as Gretchen, a teenage girl who has recently lost her mother and is now living with her father and his new family. They take up residence at a Bavarian Alps resort run by Herr Konig, played by Dan Stevens. The film co-stars Marton Csokas as Gretchen's father, Jessica Henwick as her stepmother, Mia Lieu as her half sister, Alma and Jan Bluthardt as Henry.

      Sinister things slowly reveal themselves at the resort as the film begins to go off the gonzo deep end. Some might find it scary at times but it is more unhinged than scary and it's Gretchen's predicament that drives the story. Ms. Schafer is fantastic as Gretchen and you really care for her as everything around her begins to go off the rails.  Mr. Stevens is extremely convincing as the creepy owner of the resort hiding wild secrets.

      The title says it all.