Critics praise “absolutely sensational” Hunter Schafer in new horror film ‘Cuckoo’

nme.com:

Cuckoo are in, with critics praising Hunter Schafer’s “absolutely sensational” lead performance.Schafer plays Gretchen, who moves to the German Alps to live with her father, but becomes disturbed when her father’s boss embroils the family in a sinister plot.The film, which also stars Dan Stevens, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February and will be in cinemas from Friday (August 9).With reviews now out, the film sits at a strong 79 per cent on the aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising director Tilman Singer’s “inventive flair”, and singling out Schafer for particular praise.In their review, Associated Press wrote: “It is undeniably fascinating, original and even occasionally fun, in a very twisted and deranged way in which laughter is your involuntary response to something horrifying.

In her captivating lead performance, Schafer really goes through it, both physically and emotionally.”Slashfilm went even further in their praise of the actor: “Schafer’s strong-willed, straight-shooting, absolutely sensational performance is the anchor in this chaotic storm…Schafer commands every scene.”In a three-star review, The Guardian wrote: “This combination of multiplex ambition and arthouse vaguery makes it an odd, uneven little film that scrapes through thanks to an excess of personality, both from Singer’s direction and his cast.

There’s a committed final girl performance from Schafer, proving to be a far more winning lead than her Euphoria co-stars this past year, and Stevens going full-throttle weird.Screen Daily added: “Whether the picture will garner the word-of-mouth support required for success outside of festival play is another matter.