Cuckoo ending explained: What happens to Koning & Henry?

Cuckoo marks a striking entry in the horror genre released on August 9 and brought to life by German filmmaker Tilman Singer. Known for his previous work, Luz, Singer continues to feature surreal storytelling and eerie settings but this time, in the picturesque yet foreboding German Alps.

The film features Hunter Schafer as Gretchen, a teenager caught in a web of familial and supernatural conflicts. Alongside Schafer, Márton Csókás, Jessica Henwick, and Mila Lieu play her family members each fighting with their own unsettling discoveries at a mysterious resort. Dan Stevens delivers an impressive performance as Herr König, the resort's proprietor with dark secrets.

The climax of Cuckoo intensifies as both Koning and Henry confront their ultimate fates. In a chaotic shootout triggered by Gretchen's and Alma’s attempts to escape, Koning and Henry face off in the lab. Their confrontation is marked by a flurry of gunfire but the film leaves their outcomes ambiguous.

After Gretchen and Alma manage to leave the scene, only the sound of two final gunshots is heard. The moment suggests a lethal end for both men, though their deaths are not explicitly confirmed on screen, which in turn allows room for speculation and potential continuation in a sequel.

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Cuckoo ending explained: What is the core mystery?

Hunter Schafer in the movie (Image via Neon Fiction Park)

At the heart of Cuckoo lies a chilling secret involving Herr Konig’s resort, which doubles as a facade for a sinister breeding program. The resort is used to attract unsuspecting couples to unknowingly participate in a project that echoes the parasitic nature of cuckoo birds, where women are impregnated with superhuman children meant to be raised by them.

The film slowly opens the gate to the mystery through the eyes of Gretchen, who, while trying to adapt to her new family, stumbles upon the horrifying truth. The revelation is layered with thematic elements of reproductive autonomy and the darker sides of human intervention, leaving viewers to ponder the ethical boundaries of science and family.

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Cuckoo ending explained: How does Gretchen discover the truth?

Hunter Schafer in the movie (Image via Neon Fiction Park)

Gretchen’s journey to uncovering the truth begins with her mundane job at the resort, which soon spirals into a series of creepy encounters and revelations. Her suspicions are fueled by the bizarre behaviors of guests and the peculiar interest Herr König and his associate Dr. Bonomo show in her mute half-sister, Alma.

The turning point comes when Gretchen follows a trail of oddities that lead her to confront the resort’s true purpose, pushing her into a protector role. Her resolve to save Alma from becoming another victim of Konig’s experiments transforms her from a reluctant sibling to a fierce defender, which highlights her growth amid the chaos.

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Cuckoo ending explained: What role does Henry play in the story?

Detective Henry emerges as a complex ally to Gretchen who is driven by his personal vendetta against the resort due to past tragedies involving his wife. Initially, Henry's investigative thoughts and shared suspicions make him a valuable partner to Gretchen.

However, as his intentions to eradicate all traces of the resort's experiments, including Alma, become apparent, his character shifts from ally to antagonist. The conflict creates a sense of tension in the plot as Gretchen must go through the threats posed by Konig and the moral dilemmas presented by Henry’s drastic measures.

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Cuckoo ending explained: How does the film set up potential future stories?

Hunter Schafer as seen in the movie (Image via Neon Fiction Park)

Cuckoo concludes with many questions unresolved, particularly regarding the wider implications of the breeding program and the true extent of Alma’s abilities. The death of the Woman with Red Eyes, who had been manipulating events behind the scenes, suggests a temporary halt to the immediate threats. But the existence of other children like Alma, potentially with similar or evolving abilities, hints at future conflicts.

The ambiguous survival of Koning and Henry also works as a plot bridge, potentially leading to further exploration of their characters and the dark science they championed. So, the setup at the end of the movie leaves the door open for a sequel that could show the ethical and personal dilemmas introduced in the film.

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Viewers can watch Cuckoo in nearby theatres.