Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) reluctantly travels with her father (Márton Csókás), step-mother (Jessica Henwick), and mute step-sister (Mila Lieu) to a resort in the Bavarian Alps. Gretchen hates it and wants to go back to the U.S. so when the creepy resort owner (Dan Stevens) offers her a job at the front desk, she seizes the opportunity to earn some cash. Weird shit starts happening immediately. Guests keep puking in the lobby, a blonde woman chases Gretchen down the road, she keeps losing bits of time, and a cop (Jan Bluthardt) wants her help tracking a serial killer.
I love cryptids! Especially niche ones. The only similar type I've seen is a character from Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series also described as a cuckoo, but that was based on wasps. Monster design was good, story was a little basic but elevated by great performances from Schafer, Stevens, and Lieu. Stevens in particular shines when he gets to play Weird Little Guys. He gets to be a total Freak in this and we are all the better for it. The Moonraker outfits, the weird flute playing, the German accent! Like the anti-David Attenborough.
Also, love a multi-layered meaning in a title! Cuckoo as slang for crazy, as referring to the actual bird, a brood parasite, and also the phrase cuckoo child, how Gretchen feels alienated in her father's new family. It's thoughtful and well put together from writer/director Tilman Singer. It's currently only available to rent but it's definitely worth a watch.
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