Cuckoo is a stylish horror movie screening at the Fantasia Film Festival. Gretchen (Hunter Schafer, Euphoria) has moved to the Bavarian Alps with her father and stepmother. Not wanting to be there, she constantly calls her mother who is back in the United States. Between sending voicemails to her mother, Gretchen must also contend with a series of odd occurrences involving sick guests at the resort she has taken a job. On top of all that, a creepy woman seems to have an interest in her.

While the film introduces a number of characters, it essentially serves as a showcase for Schafer. Despite being built on a foundation of Final Girl tropes – her parents think she is hysterical, for example – there is more to her than heavy bandages and teenaged brooding. Gretchen has all the resourcefulness and personality that makes for an endearing protagonist. Whether it is quiet moments of contemplation or frantic encounters involving brain numbing cacaws, Schafer is engaging. 

Regrettably, the same cannot be said for all of the other characters. Her stepmother Beth (Jessica Henwick, Game of Thrones) seems to be there to be an antagonist to Gretchen, but she never does anything particularly sinister. Her father Luis (Marton Csokas, The Last Duel) has more depth to him, but it is not enough to form an opinion of him.

Dan Stevens as the mysterious Mr. Konig is fantastic, however. The pleasant attitude is over the top and the villainy borders on cartoonish in a combination of qualities that would make someone overbearing in real life but a delight to watch on screen. Some of the best moments in Cuckoo involve him just interacting with others.

The movie sets up a creepy atmosphere that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The beautiful setting is the perfect contrast to the uneasiness that hangs over everything.. The excellent score also adds to the feeling of discomfort. Cuckoo is more about providing an experience than telling a story. This will not sit well with everyone. The first two acts take time creating a tone, before the third act dives headlong into chaos. Even in its quieter moments, Cuckoo does not take too much time explaining things. There is enough to know what is going on, but just barely. And anyone looking for motivation will be disappointed.

Cuckoo may not pack the emotional punch it is going for in its tale of grief, but the scares are very effective. The villain is a hell of a lot of fun and Schafer holds her own as the increasingly injured hero. It may not reveal all of its secrets, but it is a hell of a ride.

The Fantasia International Film Festival takes places from July 18 – August 4. Check out the latest news HERE

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The horrors of dating have been covered in pretty much every genre. The Dead Thing is a world premiere from the Fantasia Film Festival is not the first hat looks at it through a supernatural lens, but it is one of the most engaging. Alex (Blu Hunt, The New Mutants) lives a monotonous love life that amounts to dating apps and shallow hook ups. When she meets Kyle, (Ben Smith-Petersen, Barbie) she instantly falls for him. But when he disappears just as quickly, it leads to a dangerous obsession.

Director Elric Kane creates a Los Angeles that is neither glitz and glam nor dirty and grimy. Unlike other movies set in the City of Angels, nothing stands out about it. This actually ends up adding to the atmosphere. The city is boring and lifeless, much like Alex’s life. She is going through the motions in a town devoid of any real emotion.

When true passion is displayed, it feels raw and powerful. The Dead Thing is something of a twisted love story about people trying to find meaning in their lives. There is meaning to every encounter and argument. Each revelation and turn hit hard and leave an impression. The strong writing spaces out everything to maximum effect.

Conversely, some will not be able to get behind Alex. She never does anything to make anyone sympathize with her. The main issue is The Dead Thing never allows the character to grow. Alex deals with death, unemployment, and other shocking events in a nonchalant manner that comes off as uncaring. By the time she displays a softer side, the film is all but over.

Even stranger is an ending that nails its themes perfectly and provides a deserved ending to one of the main characters. While commenting on the circular nature of dating is clearly intentional, it also seems like The Dead Thing wants audiences to care about someone in a way that goes beyond, “That’s what they deserve.” It is a confusing and likely unintended dichotomy that may add another layer for some viewers.

Overall, The Dead Thing is a compelling watch that mixes horror with elements of an erotic thriller. There are some great scares and impactful moments. It captures the grind of dating, the pain and fear of toxic relationships, and the need to find someone.

The Fantasia International Film Festival takes places from July 18 – August 4. Check out the latest news HERE

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As cries of “oppa saranghae!” ring out, South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun seems pleasantly overwhelmed by the huge crowd gathered in front of the stage at KCON 2024 L.A.

This year, L.A.’s biggest Korean culture event was spread across three venues: the Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena and Gilbert Lindsay Plaza downtown.

While journalist Regina Kim interviewed him in front of an audience of hundreds, the star seemed agreeably distracted, sending smiles, waves and finger hearts to his adoring audience.

Kim Soo-hyun, now 36, made his television debut at 19, and his popularity has only grown since.

His latest drama, “Queen of Tears,” was a success. The Netflix series was one of the highest-rated non-English-language shows of 2024.

In the 12 years since the first KCON at Irvine’s Verizon Amphitheater, Korean music, dramas, films and television have become a booming micro-economy. The event has expanded alongside that growth, now reaching attendees across the globe — KCON Germany is set for this September.

Organizer CJ ENM, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment groups, says this year’s event, held from July 26 to 28, drew 5.9 million fans from 170 countries, including many TV viewers who tuned in Sunday night to watch headlining acts like rapper Zico and bands NCT 127 and Enhyphen perform live from the Crypto.com arena. The show aired on American television for the first time, with actor Awkwafina as the special host.

KCON’s increased scale reflects a deliberate effort by its organizers. Harry H.K. Shin, head of music entertainment at CJ ENM, said the overall strategy for KCON’s future is to grow in every aspect, including emphasizing massive K-drama stars like Kim, actor Park Min-young (“Marry My Husband”) and actor and singer Rowoon, who hosted and met fans at this year’s event.

Actor Park Min-young at KCON 2024.

(Konuk Ryu)

Panels, which used to be a more prominent feature, were thinner, allowing attendees more time between speaking events to catch their favorite celebrity fan meeting or audition for the signature “Dream Stage,” where fans vie for a chance to dance on the big stage with their favorite stars.

Shin said audience feedback is essential to creating a KCON experience tailored to what most fans want. Survey information CJ ENM collects is used when planning the next experience.

“We expanded the survey to get more needs and opinions,” he said, adding, “We used to have M Countdown stage [as the main performance stage], but this year we can have increased attendance because we have the KCON stage performances with all-day programming, we have different venues.”

K-pop band Enhyphen on the Dream Stage at KCON 2024.

(Konuk Ryu)

Some KCON veterans believe that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Christian Oh of the Washington, D.C., area did not attend this year, but has attended and even acted as a host, panelist and emcee at past KCONs from 2015 until the pandemic.

“I think it is still a viable exposure and awareness event, but I miss the days when things were much more accessible,” he said. “Like I could buy a KCON pass which was separate from the concert, and I could go look at the vendors, talk to people, see the smaller acts, just the YouTube or Instagram stars that didn’t have a million followers but they were there promoting themselves.”

That doesn’t matter much to attendees like Ling Lin who are drawn in by big names.

Lin and her sisters, Lily and Dewi, flew in from Georgia at the last minute to see Kim Soo-hyun. “I’ve always admired him as a person. He came from a humble beginning, and he’s still staying humble,” Lin said.

Lin represents an overlooked demographic: K-culture fans in their 30s, 40s and 50s who have money to spend following their favorite actors across the globe, booking trips to South Korea and attending multiple concerts and events in a year.

Two fans check out artists’ stage outfits at a K-pop museum installation at KCON 2024.

(Konuk Ryu)

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Of course, the younger demographic remains represented. A group of young women, waiting to see Enhypen the next night, occupied a line of tents on the sidewalk outside Crypto.com Arena.

And people of all ages were excited to cheer on girl group Bini, the first all-Filipino act to hit the KCON stage.

For Kyra Godoy, a 20-something K-pop fan of eight years, one of the biggest draws to the event wasn’t the major stars, but the fan culture itself. A longtime fan of K-culture, the L.A.-area resident said she always wanted to come to KCON and finally got the chance when she and her sister won VIP tickets through sponsor Samsung.

“Everyone has been so nice,” Godoy said during a break inside the arena. “I think it’s cute to be around a lot of people who all like the same thing.”