Spoiler-Free Review of “Cuckoo” in Theaters: Trippy and Tense!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“We’re very happy you’re here…”

Cuckoo released in theaters on August 9th 2024. The psychological horror mystery film stars Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwick, and Marton Csokas. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-three minutes.

When Gretchen moves in with her father and his family in Germany, she agrees to take a job working at a resort, but she soon fears she is being stalked by a mystery woman, unlocking haunting secrets in the process.

Here is the trailer:

Cuckoo lures its audience into a deranged mystery, featuring note-worthy performances by its two leads. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Neon

Creepy and unsettling!

This film did a terrific job of creating a sense of fear and dread. There were quite a few spine-tingling moments that had me on the edge of my seat. I was genuinely terrified in the best way possible. The mystery was also really unique, keeping me hooked until the end.

Images courtesy of Neon

Chilling performances!

I came for Dan Stevens and he delivered, proving once again that he is an unstoppable force in film. I loved him in Abigail and he put forth another charismatic (yet completely unhinged) performance, allowing this film to shine that much more.

Hunter Schafer was a nice surprise. I thought she gave a believable performance and I was rooting for her every step of the way. I hope to see her in more horror films soon because she really excelled here.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Neon

The first half is stronger than the second half.

While I was entertained from start to finish, I much preferred the first half of this film. Things were a lot more terrifying when I didn’t know what was going on. Once we got to the reveals and everything was out in the open, it lost a little bit of edge for me. I still thought it was insane and intriguing at the same time, but I lost that consuming feeling of fear from the beginning of the movie, changing its overall impact slightly.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Neon

I’m in!!!

Cuckoo is a twisted and bonkers watch!

It was different than what I expected, but I enjoyed it overall.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Cuckoo in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Younger” season 5 episode 11: “There Has To Be Another Way”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  After watching TV Land’s Younger season 5 episode 11, I realized that sometimes we need to recognize a way out of a fantasy before it is too late and reality strikes.  We may want to hold on to it for just a little while longer, but we need to accept when we have come to the end of the road…even if it is a “beautiful, beautiful road.”  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “Fraudlein,” Millennial and Empirical Press head to Frankfurt, Germany and are in for some unexpected surprises.  Meanwhile, Liza tries to stick to her decision about Charles, Kelsey realizes she may have misjudged Zane, and Diana steals the spotlight.  My top 5 moments from Younger season 5 episode 11 are:

5

“Do you know how much sperm costs?”

While everyone else is off in Frankfurt, Maggie and Malky host a dinner for Josh and Lauren to make up for the disaster last time, but the drama is far from over when Malky explains that she is ready to have a child, blind sighting Maggie.  Malky starts talking to Josh about potentially using his sperm for the child and Maggie is not ready yet for this conversation.  While it seemed like Maggie and Malky were off to a good start, there is clearly a lot they need to discuss since they are both not on the same page.

4

“That is a Frankfurt freebie.”

When everyone goes out for drinks in Frankfurt, Diana and Cheryl Sussman steal the show when they appear on stage and give us a delightful cabaret performance.  Everyone is thoroughly entertained until Cheryl takes it a step too far and gives Charles a “Frankfurt freebie.”  Poor Charles makes the innocent mistake of asking Cheryl what that is, as she plants a big kiss on his lips, causing him to leave the party.  While I felt bad for Charles, this moment was absolutely hilarious and I have to say that Diana and Cheryl make quite the team.

3

“I might have misjudged Zane.”

While everyone is out, Kelsey has a little bit too much to drink and a stranger begins coming on to her a little too strongly.  Zane steps in to protect her and ends up punching the guy in the face and escorting Kelsey to bed.  Zane proves to be a perfect gentlemen and Kelsey realizes that she might have completely misjudged him.  It’s about time Kelsey!  While Zane had good intentions, he later realizes that the man he punched in the face is his potential new client.  Zane awkwardly apologizes to him, but it’s safe to say he may not be landing this new deal.  Let’s hope that he can get the girl; however, as I have been anxiously waiting for him and Kelsey to realize that they are absolutely perfect for one another.  Swoon!

2

“Consider yourself fired.”

While Charles respects Liza’s decision to put things on pause for the moment, they both find it extremely difficult to stick with this decision, especially when Liza shows up at Charles’s hotel room.  Charles tells Liza, “I can’t promise I won’t try to kiss you,” and Liza passionately kisses him in the doorway.  Earlier in the episode, Cheryl Sussman approached Liza about working for her at Plaza and reminded her that she would no longer need to lie about her age.  Liza has been dodging bullets left and right with this lie and it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes crashing down on her, which would impact Charles and Kelsey too.  Liza discusses it all with Charles and they both agree that it is for the best.  Liza accepts the job offer, but can Liza really trust Cheryl?  After all, she has now discovered the relationship between Liza and Charles.  Will she use this information to her advantage?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

1

“We’ve come to the end of this road.”

Now that Liza has made the decision to take the job at Plaza, she fills Kelsey in on the plan.  Kelsey is beyond crushed and tells Liza, “There has to be another way,” in the middle of tears.  Liza and Kelsey hug, continuing to stick by each other’s side, but is this really the end for our favorite duo in publishing?  We know that Liza and Kelsey have a beautiful and strong friendship, but will Millennial be able to survive without Liza?  How will everyone else react to the news of Liza’s departure?  Stay tuned for the season finale next week!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on Younger below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover