Cuckoo (2024): Movie Facts, Trivia, and Alpine Horror Unveiled

“Cuckoo” (2024) follows Winnie (Hunter Schafer), a 17-year-old American, who moves to a resort in the German Alps with her father and his new girlfriend, only to face a mysterious, deadly force. Released on April 29, 2024, it’s a chilling blend of folk horror and thriller, grossing approximately $3 million.

Cast and Key Roles

• Hunter Schafer plays Winnie, delivering a standout performance noted for emotional depth.
• Dan Stevens is Mr. König, the resort owner with a villainous edge, enjoying the role.
• Jessica Henwick portrays Beth, Winnie’s stepmother, adding family tension.

Production Highlights

Filmed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the crew battled sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow, using practical effects for realism. The score by Joseph Trapanese incorporates alpine sounds for an eerie vibe.

Comprehensive Analysis of “Cuckoo” (2024) Movie Facts, Trivia, and Behind-the-Scenes Details

“Cuckoo” (2024), an American horror film directed by Tilman Singer, has carved a niche in the indie horror landscape, blending folk horror with modern thriller elements. Starring Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, and Jessica Henwick, it premiered on April 29, 2024, in the United States, grossing approximately $3 million at the box office. This analysis delves into the movie’s facts, trivia, and behind-the-scenes details, offering a detailed exploration for horror enthusiasts and cinephiles, with a focus on its production challenges and atmospheric setting.

Movie Overview and Plot

The narrative centers on Winnie, a 17-year-old American portrayed by Hunter Schafer, who relocates to a resort in the German Alps with her father and his new girlfriend. As she settles in, strange and terrifying events unfold, with Winnie becoming the focus of a mysterious force that leaves a trail of bodies in its wake. The film, with a runtime of 1 hour 42 minutes, is rated R for its horror and thriller elements, released by XYZ Films, and has received a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 60 reviews, averaging 6.3/10 (Rotten Tomatoes).

The title “Cuckoo” draws from the cuckoo bird’s parasitic behavior, laying eggs in other birds’ nests, symbolizing the invasive force disrupting the characters’ lives. Director Tilman Singer, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, explained, “The title ‘Cuckoo’ is metaphorical. Just like the bird, there’s something that’s been planted in this family, something that doesn’t belong, and it’s causing disruption and chaos” (The Hollywood Reporter).

Cast and Characters

The cast includes:

• Hunter Schafer as Winnie: Known for her breakout role in “Euphoria,” Schafer delivers a performance praised for its depth and emotional range, facing supernatural horrors in the Alps. She improvised some lines in emotional scenes, adding authenticity, as noted in an interview with Collider (Collider).
• Dan Stevens as Mr. König: The resort owner with a mysterious and menacing presence, previously seen in “Downton Abbey” and “Legion,” expressing enjoyment in playing a villainous role. He worked with a dialect coach to perfect his German accent, as mentioned in Variety (Variety).
• Jessica Henwick as Beth: Winnie’s stepmother, adding family dynamics, known from “Game of Thrones” and “Iron Fist.” She discussed the dynamic with Schafer in an interview with Screen Rant, noting, “Hunter is incredibly talented, and her character, Winnie, is going through so much” (Screen Rant).
• Marton Csokas as Papa: Winnie’s father, oblivious to the dangers, with credits including “The Lord of the Rings.” He was drawn to the script for its atmospheric horror, as per Horror Geek Life (Horror Geek Life).
• Jan Bluthardt as Lukas: A local boy who befriends Winnie, potentially holding secrets, a newcomer to the horror genre, making his debut in this film.

Production Details

“Cuckoo” was produced by XYZ Films, with principal photography taking place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, German Alps, during the winter of 2022. The production faced significant challenges due to extreme weather conditions, with temperatures dropping to -10°C and heavy snowfall, enhancing the film’s authentic, isolated atmosphere. Director Tilman Singer, also the writer, drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in the Alps, aiming for a horror film rooted in regional folklore (Deadline). The cinematography, handled by Manuel Dacosse, utilized natural light and the alpine environment, contributing to the haunting visual style, with long lenses to capture the vastness, emphasizing isolation (Film Comment).

The score was composed by Joseph Trapanese, known for “Straight Outta Compton” and “The Tomorrow War,” incorporating traditional instruments and electronic elements to create a haunting soundscape, with alpine sounds like wind and snow integrated, as per Film Music Magazine (Film Music Magazine). The editing, handled by Philipp Schreck, was carefully crafted to build suspense, with multiple cuts and revisions, as discussed in Post Magazine (Post Magazine).

Behind-the-Scenes Facts

Several behind-the-scenes details highlight the production’s challenges and creative decisions:

• The resort featured in the film is a real location, requiring the production team to work around its operational schedule, adding realism (IMDB).
• The crew endured harsh weather, with Hunter Schafer noting the difficulty of shooting in cold conditions, particularly for scenes in the snow, ensuring authenticity (Variety).
• Practical effects and makeup were heavily utilized, with makeup artist Petra Holtorf creating the gore and creature effects to maintain realism, as noted in Fangoria (Fangoria).
• Hunter Schafer ran through snow barefoot for a pivotal scene, a physically demanding task, requiring multiple takes and careful preparation, as per her Collider interview (Collider).
• Dan Stevens worked closely with Singer to develop Mr. König’s ominous presence, enjoying the chance to play a villain, a departure from his usual roles (Variety).
• The final confrontation scene was shot over three days, involving complex special effects and stunt work, ensuring the climactic moment was executed perfectly, as per a behind-the-scenes X post from the official account (X).
• The production team used social media, particularly Instagram, to engage fans with behind-the-scene photos and clips, building anticipation, with around 10,000 followers (Instagram).

Movie Facts and Trivia

The following table lists key Cuckoo 2024 movie facts and trivia, emphasizing the film’s production, cast, and reception:

Awards and Reception

As of February 27, 2025, “Cuckoo” has not yet been eligible for major awards like the Oscars, given its recent release. However, it was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024, receiving positive feedback, and Hunter Schafer was nominated for Best Actress at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival. It has received mixed to positive reviews, with a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, averaging 6.3/10. Critics praise the atmospheric setting and Hunter Schafer’s performance, though some note the plot feels familiar (Rotten Tomatoes). Audience reactions on X have been polarized, with some hailing it as a fresh horror entry, others finding it predictable, as seen in posts from horror fans (X).

Box Office Performance

Released on April 29, 2024, “Cuckoo” has grossed approximately $3 million at the box office, with $2,915,467 in the US, according to Box Office Mojo (Box Office Mojo). Internationally, exact figures are not publicly available, but its performance reflects the niche appeal of horror, particularly in the indie circuit, and its atmospheric setting has drawn attention despite limited marketing.

“Cuckoo” (2024) stands out as a horror film leveraging its alpine setting for isolation and dread, with strong performances and practical effects enhancing its folk horror roots. Packed with Cuckoo 2024 movie facts and trivia, it’s a treasure trove for horror fans seeking behind-the-scenes insights and atmospheric chills, making it a must-watch for genre enthusiasts.

Key Citations