Cuckoo: release date, reviews, plot, cast, trailer and everything we know about the horror movie

Cuckoo star Hunter Schafer hiding behind a shelf while a hooded figure lingers in the background
Hunter Schafer in Cuckoo (Image credit: NEON)

Cuckoo is a new psychological horror movie starring Euphoria's Hunter Schafer, about a teenager who reluctantly goes to live in the German Alps.

The 2024 new movie is the latest addition to Neon's slate, who are well known for producing and distributing movies such as Parasite, Titane, Infinity Pool and Possessor. As a result, they've become synonymous with movies that are quite disturbing in nature. It seems Cuckoo is no exception, marking the second feature for Tilman Singer, following his first title Luz, about a young cab driver tormented by a demonic entity.

Now, he's got a brand new, creepy tale in Cuckoo. Here's everything we know about it so far.

Cuckoo release date

Cuckoo is now playing exclusively in US movie theaters. It arrives in the UK on August 23.

Cuckoo plot

In Cuckoo, a reluctant 17-year-old Gretchen leaves her home in the US to go and live with her father, who has recently moved to the German Alps. If the move isn't stressful enough, she needs to get used to his new family, including her mute half-sister, Alma.

But although the place looks like a tranquil paradise, something seems off. Gretchen's father has a boss named Mr. König, who has a strange interest in Alma. Even worse, Gretchen keeps getting plagued by strange noises and disturbing visions, until she uncovers a family secret...

Cuckoo cast

Euphoria star Hunter Schafer leads the cast as Gretchen, while The Guest star Dan Stevens plays Mr. König and Mila Lieu plays Alma.

Other cast includes Marton Csokas as Luis, Jessica Henwick as Beth, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as Ed, and Greta Fernández as Trixie.

Cuckoo trailer

Yes, there's a rather eerie trailer for Cuckoo which you can watch below. It starts with a casette playing the words "Mom, I really want to come home" and goes from there, starting with quite pleasant location shots and descending into something terrifying!

Take a look below...

CUCKOO - Official Trailer - YouTube CUCKOO - Official Trailer - YouTube
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Cuckoo reviews

Reviews are in for Cuckoo, and the critics like this one, as the movie is officially "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Now she works for our sister site TechRadar in the same role. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.

She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress