"Cuckoo ",continues the year of the overhyped horror, and unfortunately, like so many other 2024 offerings, also succumbs to a script which promises so much potential, but which just slowly fizzles out into trope horror / recipe psychological thriller. Again, we have a very competent director with a unique and very natural feel for horror and the ability to use style, very decent acting and an almost immediate eerie atmosphere to take us on a brief car ride into a second act filled with road signs identifying plot holes and a third act, "are we there yet?", road trip of over-explanation. Like "Longlegs" before it, the promise which the uniquely atmospheric and perfectly paced first act creates supported by tightly direct acting, as from word go creates such an immediate investment in the viewer that the unfolding disappointment either elicits a need to defend the artistic value or to be unduly critical of the entire film. Unfortunately I usually find myself in the later category.

I'd like to start by saying that this movie is very entertaining and visually appealing. I was engaged the whole time and it had some great visuals. When it comes to the story however it fell short. It started out great and the setup had me very intrigued but when it came down to solving what was going on there were so many holes and things left unanswered.

Spoilers from here on

First off, why are they always running from the screeching lady? She never does anything? Besides try to transfer the goo

Second, what's up with the Groundhog Day like repeats? Never even touches on that

Third, Gretchen's parents are seen going home from the hospital with the wife (Alma's mom) unwell and it never circles back to them

And the main question. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE of the "experiment" like there's no end goal. Also who was the first "cuckoo woman" like when did it start

Overall I liked the movie and brownie points to whoever chose the music as well as to the sound designers. Will probably never rewatch it though.