SPOILER ALERT: This article contains minor spoilers for “Cuckoo,” in theaters now.
Cuckoo: Exclusive Video Interview with Director Tilman Singer
About 40% of cuckoo bird species are 'brood parasites'.
Rather than building its own nest, the cuckoo infiltrates the nests of other birds and hides its egg among those of the host. Due to the cuckoo's rapid developmental cycle, the chick hatches faster than the rest of the clutch, and once it is out of its egg, it will instinctively push the host's offspring off its perch. The newborn then uses its relentless call to force the host species to feed it until it reaches adulthood, often growing much larger than its pseudo-guardian.
It was this horrifying evolutionary trait that inspired Tilman Singer to write and direct the new horror mystery "Cuckoo." The film follows 17-year-old Gretchen (Hunter Schafer), who, after reluctantly moving to a remote vacation spot with her father (Marton Csokas), finds herself prey to a mysterious humanoid bird.
