Currently, Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth have carved their niche as Hollywood’s top scream queens in the horror genre. However, a rising competitor has emerged in Hunter Schafer, who showcases her talent in the anticipated 2024 film Cuckoo. Produced by Neon, the studio renowned for its recent Best Picture winner, Anora, Cuckoo follows the journey of Gretchen, portrayed by Schafer, a teenager who uncovers a startling family secret after relocating to her father’s home in the picturesque German Alps. Early reviews suggest that audiences have resonated positively with the film, securing a solid 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with particular acclaim directed towards the cast’s performances.
My excitement for Cuckoo has been building since the announcement of its cast in 2023, featuring talented actors like Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick alongside Schafer. Each performer delivers compelling portrayals, marking a standout performance for Hunter Schafer, positioning it as her finest work since her role in Euphoria.
Hunter Schafer as Gretchen
Born on December 31, 1998
Actor: Hailing from Trenton, New Jersey, Hunter Schafer began her career as a model at 17 before breaking into acting with her portrayal of Jules Vaughn in HBO’s acclaimed Euphoria, a character she shares a transgender experience with. In 2023, she expanded her portfolio playing Tigris Snow, a stylist and underground rebel in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Audiences can also look forward to her upcoming roles in Mother Mary, Palette, the much-anticipated series Blade Runner 2099, and the third season of Euphoria.
Notable Roles:
| Movie/TV Show | Role |
|---|---|
| Euphoria (2019-2022) | Jules Vaughn |
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) | Tigris |
Character: In Cuckoo, Gretchen is a teenager grieving her mother’s recent death. As she adjusts to life with her father, stepmother, and half-sister in a Bavarian resort, she is confronted with unsettling events, including the eerie presence of a mysterious hooded woman.
Dan Stevens as Herr König
Born on October 10, 1982
Actor: Dan Stevens is an English actor renowned for his role as Matthew Crawley in the beloved series Downton Abbey. Following his tenure in the show, Stevens transitioned to Hollywood, featuring in films like The Fifth Estate (2013) and The Guest (2016). His notable roles include the Beast in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast (2017) and David Haller in the Marvel series Legion. His diverse career continues, with appearances in various upcoming projects.
Notable Roles:
| Movie/TV Titles | Role |
|---|---|
| Downton Abbey (2010-2012) | Matthew Crawley |
| Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) | Sir Lancelot |
| Beauty and the Beast (2017) | Beast |
| Legion (2017-2019) | David Haller |
| Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) | Alexander Lemtov |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) | Trapper |
| Zero Day (2025) | Evan Green |
Character: Herr König is deeply involved in the construction of a new hotel in the Bavarian resort town. His sinister presence brings a foreboding atmosphere, as he is one of the scientists experimenting with a mysterious entity that bears resemblance to a cuckoo bird.
Marton Csokas as Luis
Born on June 30, 1966
Actor: Marton Csokas, a talented performer from Invercargill, Aotearoa, New Zealand, has had a successful career in film and television. Initially, he gained recognition in New Zealand productions, eventually becoming known for his role as Celeborn in The Lord of the Rings series. He also depicted the character Yorgi in the action thriller xXx. His filmography includes roles in projects such as Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and The Equalizer. Upcoming roles include portraying Franz Liszt in the historical drama Wagner in Venice.
Notable Roles:
| Movie/TV Titles | Role |
|---|---|
| The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) | Celeborn |
| xXx (2002) | Yorgi |
| Kingdom of Heaven (2005) | Guy de Lusignan |
| Alice in Wonderland (2010) | Charles Kingsleigh |
| The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2015) | Dr. Ashley Kafka |
| The Equalizer (2014) | Teddy |
| Into the Badlands (2015-2017) | Quinn |
Character: In Cuckoo, Luis is tasked with the construction of a new hotel alongside his wife, while grappling with family tensions, particularly surrounding his daughter Gretchen and her struggles with the passing of their mother. Luis dismisses Gretchen’s fears about Herr König, regarding them as mere paranoia stemming from grief.
Jessica Henwick as Beth
Born on August 30, 1992
Actor: British actress Jessica Henwick first appeared on screen in a minor uncredited role in St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold. She gained considerable recognition as Nymeria Sand on Game of Thrones, later starring as Colleen Wing in Netflix’s Iron Fist and as Jess Testor in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. Upcoming projects include a role in the third season of Silo and the comedy thriller Huntington alongside Glen Powell and Ed Harris.
Notable Roles:
| Movie/TV Titles | Role |
|---|---|
| Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015) | Jess Testor |
| Game of Thrones (2015-2017) | Nymeria Sand |
| Iron Fist (2017-2018) | Colleen Wing |
| The Matrix Resurrections (2021) | Bugs |
| Glass Onion (2022) | Peg |
Character: Beth is introduced as Luis’s wife and the nurturing mother of Alma. She accompanies her family to embark on a fresh chapter in the Bavarian Alps.
Jan Bluthardt as Henry
Born in 1978
Actor: Jan Bluthardt is a seasoned German actor with roots in theater, having trained at the prestigious Schauspielhaus Bochum. He has built a solid career in various stage productions and is currently associated with the Basel Theater. He made his film debut in the horror thriller Luz, also directed by Cuckoo‘s Tilman Singer.
Notable Roles:
| Movie/TV Titles | Role |
|---|---|
| Luz (2018) | Dr. Rossini |
| Cuckoo (2024) | Henry |
Character: Henry serves as a pivotal character in Cuckoo, standing as the sole person who believes Gretchen’s account of the unsettling occurrences at the resort. He suspects a sinister connection between these events and the death of his own wife, driving him to seek vengeance against those responsible.
Supporting Cast and Characters in Cuckoo
Mila Lieu as Alma: Alma, portrayed by Mila Lieu, is Gretchen’s enigmatic younger half-sister. Stricken by mutism, Alma begins experiencing mysterious seizures and episodes after the family’s move to Herr König’s resort. Lieu is known for her role as Tang in the BBC series Dodger and her performance in the upcoming horror-comedy Bad Things.
Greta Fernández as Trixie: Trixie works alongside Gretchen at the resort’s reception desk. Spanish actress Greta Fernández has been in the industry since 2006, with notable roles in the TV series La Riera and the film A Thief’s Daughter (2019).
Proschat Madani as Dr. Bonomo: Dr. Bonomo is the neighbor who warmly welcomes Gretchen’s family but hides dark secrets beneath the surface. Proschat Madani has appeared in the Iranian series Walking on Sunshine and the sci-fi show Foundation.
Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey as Ed: Ed is a guest at the resort who becomes romantically involved with Gretchen. Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey is recognized for her role as Syrena the mermaid in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and as the Mage in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.