The Cuckoo (2024) User Reviews

Worth a try if you're after a twisty, tangled family drama

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 4/10 · 8 April 2024]

With C5 dramas you never quite know what you're going to get, they're sometimes surprising in ways you didn't hope for.

This one isn't the worst or the best, its OK-ish. Yes the script was cheesy and had many improbabilities. Like someone driving by who sees a room to let advertised, pops in and happens to have three grand cash in her purse to slap down as a deposit. I wish that was me...

But on the plus side it was reasonably well made and had a strong cast with the likes of Lee Ingleby and Jill Halfpenny.

It was well paced, (its just four episodes) and had some big twists, if you like psychological dramas it's worth checking out and a fun ride (if you can suspend your disbelief at some of the plotting).

If you're wondering where its filmed, we're in County Wicklow, Ireland, which really is as nice as it looks here.

Really????

[margetheminx · 4/10 · 12 April 2024]

Oh good grief, how on earth has this got 5.8 on the reviews? It's so ordinary, predictable and now, I'm on episode 3, quite boring! The story is so unrealistic with some mad woman who turns up at a dysfunctional family home, with the exact deposit needed to rent a room, and she then becomes the new best friend of the loopy wife and 'difficult' teenage daughter.

The husband, who cheated on the wife, can see through her, but the wife\daughter thinks she's marvellous. As an ex teacher it's so unbelievable that the school have never met the parents of a new student (surely they looked around the school before enrolling their daughter) and then allowed her to go home with this woman without checking who she was.

This 'drama' is full of nonsense, poor acting and a totally unbelievable storyline. There are all the same routine ploys as ever... Cheating husband, distrustful wife, unlikable daughter (who just happens to be adopted but hasn't been told - I'm pretty sure this doesn't happen in the 21st century as the children have family books of their lives before and after the adoption - my daughter went a very long way through adopting and had all these things in place) and complete nutter of a woman who wheedles her way in and stages all the usual accidents...the husband has assaulted her when she's battered her own head on the mirror, she bullies the bullies who've been bullying said awful daughter, she's going to be the daughters saviour etc etc etc!

I'll watch the last episode just because I never like to give up on things but would I recommend it to anyone - definitely not!

Very thin plot

[richpcwaller · 2/10 · 9 April 2024]

The whole plot is paper thin and totally contrived - looks formula written by a committee. Very weak acting due to unrealistic dialogue. The idea someone rocks up uninvited to your house with three grand in cash is for the fairies. Nobody takes a lodger without excellent references (not from an aunt) and is also far fetched. In the real world the Jill Halfpenny character would have been ejected from the house in a few days violently. They have no money but are driving a very expensive Audi. Nobody behaves like the wooden characters in this and I am surprised a great actor likes Lee Ingleby agreed to act in it. So improbable, I turned off after episode 2.

Sometimes it just doesn't work out!

[howardholt-62088 · 14 April 2024]

As usual all the good reviews prior to release come from the marketing team and the magazines and websites persuaded, however so, to look on favourably.

Here is where you get the honest reviews. I agree with all previous comments.

A clichéd production in terms of script, direction and visuals. Unrealistic/unbelievable actions by all the principal cast and by the police! :). When you consider the number of stages a script goes through before production you wonder why nobody had the power to halt the process and send the writers back to the drawing board.

Then they leave us with the possibility of a second series! Please, no.

Great cast but...

[stevev-34095 · 6/10 · 10 April 2024]

Claire Goose, Lee Ingleby and Jill Halfpenny are all well known and respected actors who I assume can pick and choose their parts so I am worried that they all decided this was the best work available. I'm not saying Cuckoo is rubbish, so far it's actually better than most crime/suspense dramas but it isn't going to become a classic that people talk about for years either.

As usual with Ch5 dramas the budget is tight and it shows, Half way through the 2nd episode I realised it was supposed to be set in the Lake District but it was obviously filmed elsewhere for tax reasons. Overall the plot is less predictable than some dramas and it passes the time pleasantly enough.

Garbage, complete garbage

[ukstevej · 2/10 · 11 April 2024]

Quite possibly the worst 'drama' I've ever seen. There are so many things going on that simply wouldn't happen in reality it makes a mockery of genuine drama. I've read that by the end we're supposed to empathise with 'Sian', (I'm writing after 3 episodes) but I can't think of any character I've ever disliked more. Whatever her backstory, there is no excuse for her actions. Whilst Lee Ingleby and Claire Goose are good actors who can usually be relied on to turn in an accomplished, believable performance, here they are hampered by a myriad plot holes and very clunky dialogue. Jill Halfpenny basically plays Jill Halfpenny, as she has done in anything I've seen her in. All told, very disappointing. (2 stars for the location).

DOESN'T QUITE MAKE IT

[robbiscargill · 6/10 · 13 May 2024]

The Cuckoo is an entertaining, albeit rather clichéd series, and although some big names star, it somehow just doesn't quite make it to be a top series.

I did enjoy the performances of Lee Ingleby and Claire Goose, and I thought that Freya Hannan-Mills was good as Alice Heynes, but, in my opinion, Jill Halfpenny was miscast in the role of Sian Gregson, and I didn't find her character all that convincing.

I also felt that the script occasionally veered towards the silly, and some scenarios left me shaking my head, particularly in the fourth and final episode, but all in all, it was pretty good, and worth a watch.

Amateur drama. Waste of time

[jefferons · 2/10 · 12 April 2024]

I watched all four episodes to see if it would improve. But it just got worse. The title is incorrect. A cuckoo takes over a nest and kicks out the other eggs.this woman moved into their house then stole their daughter. Also it was so rushed,sian didn't ingratiate herself,she just annoyed them.it was awful, why do they make this sort of rubbish over and over ,an endless stream of badly written tosh it wasn't realistic in any form apart from the police being useless.

Amazing how quick the police showed up to a rural report of a barney .

I give it 2 stars as the acting wasn't awful it was the script that was awful.

Research would have been good idea on region

[celticstormfilms-594-545980 · 6/10 · 6 May 2024]

I'd have rated this higher but for several reasons, it had a typical outcome, I'd have loved Sian to be the anti-hero for once, but no, storyline played safe and same old plot.

Research though... Ullswster does not have a police station, Suspect would have been interviewed at either Kendal or Penrith stations!

Then the constant one in the storyline of how broke they are, why aren't they downscaling then? This was an annoyance of characters. Characters that we struggle to like, however, brilliant actors throughout, some great cast here. I just feel had the story ramped up a more risky element and taken a chance over being cliche, this would have been much better.

Don't waste your time

[typower · 1/10 · 12 April 2024]

As with many channel 5 mini series, this lacks the cutting edge, to make you glad to have seen it. They got rid of Neighbours to concentrate on these types of shows & yet, they don't seem to understand what makes good t.v.

One scene sees a car travelling very slowly out of their driveway, being driven by the daughter who can drive & has in this series, previously. As soon as she clears the grounds, she goes off road & straight into a tree where the airbag is deployed, but she has a bloodied nose. It's ridiculous in parts & you can write the end yourself as soon as you start watching it.

Its the 3rd mini series I've watched from Channel 5 & none have delivered anything but bland, not well thought out scenes etc... If you see a CH5 mini series coming up on t.v, switch channels.

A quality drama.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 12 April 2024]

Nick and Jessica are trying a fresh start after a few family problems, a new house...but financial problems mean they need to take in a lodger, step forward artist Sian, Who initially seems ideal, but soon her true colours show.

Why do people that hate every single channel five drama keep on watching them, and giving laughable reviews of them, it honestly baffles me, I hate sprouts, I don't keep trying them thinking maybe the next one will be better, they stick to a particular format, one which I, and many others really like.

It truly is a silky and smooth series, one of the best that Channel Five have given us so far.

Hand that rocked the cradle vibes about this one, always good to have a crazy psycho character, she genuinely had me on edge. It's very tense and gripping.

Quality acting, Freya Hannan Mills, Claire Goose and Lee Ingleby are all very good, star of the show though is Jill Halfpenny, who puts in a terrific performance, she plays the part exceptionally well.

I assume this was filmed in Ireland, certainly looks like, definitely not The UK.

8/10.

I liked it

[keithbcook · 7/10 · 7 May 2024]

OK there is a lot written about the poor performances of the actors here. I would like to make a comment regarding contemporary media coverage and the portrayal of men in these series - which seems to be happening more and more.

Here, the man is seen as ineffectual, and accepts the put downs not just from his own wife and daughter but also by the lodger, when he confronts Sian about a vital point, she shrugs it off and just undermines him by saying to hi that his wife needs him (due to his own inadequacy). What does he do? He goes all quiet and accepts the put down.

Seems that he is shouted at by wife yet he is right all along - then he just happily accepts his wife later after all the undemining he has had to endure.

The police (as usual the one in charge is female!) are poor and just accept Sian's version as men as useless and so he must have done it ' It does not look good for you; being thrown at him when no formal investigation has been undertaken. Further depiction of men being pathetic and all the women being in charge.

Very lazy writing

[xkrzmys · 2/10 · 13 April 2024]

Where to start?

OMG this is so bad.

I'm a sucker for punishment as we're mid-way through episode 3 and, what has really tipped me over the edge in this episode is the really poor research into criminal law and regulations . I know this is a fictional drama, but for crying out load, the Police are conducting a suspect interview, presumably under caution, but in an office and the interview isn't being recorded. The police conducting the interview asking stupid questions and, as the male leaves the station the Police issue him with, "we're watching you" threat. This is just another rubbish channel 5 drama.

More Channel 5 Dross Drama

[cathyannemoore-66196 · 3/10 · 12 April 2024]

I should have known better than to watch yet another of these Channel 5 dramas that pan out over 4 nights. They are dross. Waste of money to make and waste of time to watch. Given this 3 stars because I did (against my better judgement) stick with it to the end. Even though by episode 3 I found myself liking Jill Halfpenny's character far more than the miserable sulking ungrateful daughter, Alice. I think that is down to the script which is very flimsy in terms of both plot and insight into the family dynamics. The plot is also full of holes. The ending is impossible. Do the writers really think viewers buy this?

Weak plot & acting

[wcstud · 4/10 · 10 April 2024]

Weak plot weak script been déjà vue except this time the acting has so many loose end How come after 24hr a lodger become so involved with the family out of nowhere Every scene every actor comes from the wing asking what's going on etc I am close to switch off however I want to see how bad it become as it is so predictable Every one deserve the worst as there is no compassion towards any of the characters As a drama it could have been done so much better but it is lacking of conviction, understanding and depth We know it is going to end in tears and somehow in a kind of happy ending for the family.

Predictable

[gillwheeler-14313 · 5/10 · 12 April 2024]

I was very hesitant about watching this, the minute Sian knocked on the door and took over the cooking and the daughter, the plot was fairly obvious. However, with a reasonably good main cast I decided to hang in there. It was a very predictable story, and amazing that a character can accept someone walking into their home, taking over and not accepting they are up to no good.....not exactly believable. Add to that the rather implausible ending, then I really did wonder why I had watched it all the way through. Very disappointing, I would have expected more from that cast. But that said, it was mainly a weak plot line that made the difference.

Sends me asleep before bed

[chas-hanson · 3/10 · 10 April 2024]

Lee Ingleby another one of these one trick pony actors (along with Paul order of the peaky blinders ) Anderson is very poor and has is very limited when it comes to acting he always plays whiny boring character's that needs a slap with in 2 seconds of opening his mouth. Jill halfpenny who's normally good wasnt all that and Clare goose wasn't great as for the daughter very annoying and very poor acting. This could of been done over an hour and half instead of 4 episodes. 3 stars is very generous this was atrocious at best. Same old story line very poor script very poor acting.....yawn yawn yawn.

Good psycho drama

[sonnygambin-59853 · 9/10 · 12 April 2024]

I came across this drama on channel 5 & sm quite bemused by dome of the reviews, I thought the plot was good & well written, so the number plates don't match! It's obviously filmed in Ireland so what. The actors involved are excellent, Clare goose I've seen in dramas for some years & gives a good performance, Jill halfpenny is also a good actress. The lead actor was also very good, he's been in lots of good dramas notably inspector George Gently. I found the plot believable a woman grieving for a daughter she believes to be alive though died when she was born. I would recommend you give it a go it's a lot better than the BBC are producing at the moment.

Swerve it

[hugheskaren-38559 · 3/10 · 11 April 2024]

Started watching as Lee Ingleby was in it, goodness only knows why he agreed to partake in the mind numbingly predictable, typical channel 5 'drama'. The female characters are so very wooden and could not act the goat. Yet I still watched it, hoping for some good to come out of it, to say I was disappointed is an understatement, didn't even fast forward the ads because they were better than the programme itself. Claire Goose hasn't had a decent role since Waking the Dead and Gill Halfpenny needs a career change. Lee Ingleby will look back at this decision in years to come and wonder why! Why! Why!

Held my interest

[simonsmith-67293 · 5/10 · 14 April 2024]

This held my interest, but there were many loopholes, such as trusting a stranger with your life stories and taking three grand cash from Sian. Very predictable in parts. However with a watch as I was frustrated by the gullibility of Jesse and wanted to see the outcome. The acting was reasonable in parts. The scenes involving the police were not very good o procedure and I have no idea they didn't get the police to go and see Sians aunt. This is no where near the quality of some of the shows I have seen, such as The Gentlemen. There is one plus to it and that is it is shot in County Wicklow with beautiful coastal shots.

Went downhill fast

[ztrpqkt · 2/10 · 20 April 2024]

This started off quite well and I was interested to see where it went but it ended up being a real struggle to watch. The acting wasn't great and the storyline was very predictable. It did seem like it had the potential to be great but sadly it took too much for granted. I wonder if they had made more episodes and were able to build the relationships more if it would have been better to watch. It just seemed like it took so much for granted with a total stranger integrating herself into the family way too quickly. It just didn't come across as believable. I found myself getting bored and struggling to watch through to the end.

Wow what a waste of 4 hours

[sigurdostara · 1/10 · 22 April 2024]

Yet another Channel 5 shallow drama. For such good actors to be involved with this. If you think the Police in real life are bad don't go to where they live as they had no idea. So frustrating both myself and my wife were shouting at the screen with disbelief how pathetic the parents were portrayed. You keep watching thinking it will get better but believe me it does not. The cliff hanger at the end is even more frustrating. I've now got to write more about this as I've not written enough. Please please please please stay away from this drama it's not worth the time. I would rather watch paint dry.

Pretty Poor

[petetaylor-92093 · 4/10 · 14 April 2024]

Disappointing overall, lacklustre script and some unbelievable scenario's, especially the immediate bonding relationship between Jill Halfpenny and Claire Goose! The ending is extremely predictable, and its nothing we haven't see before. Somebody also needed to give Jill Halfpennys character a serious change in dress sense, as she more resembled a character out of This is England set in the 1980's than a middle aged woman of current times! Channel 5 need to up their game big time or they will continue to lose out to the likes of BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as this follows in the same footsteps as the equally poor drama Coma!

Gets right under the skin...

[wooflydog · 10/10 · 13 April 2024]

One of the best psychodramas I've seen in a long time.

The dynamics of family disintegration after adultery ; the tentative efforts to resurrect trust ; the struggle to nurture an adolescent daughter going through the angry agonies of loneliness and identity confusion : these problems alone might destroy any family, even without the complication of their financial precariousness and the angst caused by recent relocation to a strange new town.

But not enough !

Add to this explosive mix the sudden introduction of a lodger. And not just any lodger, but the very incarnation of Judas - a woman of such slime, charm and cunning that the family soon faces meltdown.

Brilliant. Horrific. Plausibly flesh-creeping. Pathos. All made real by great casting and genius actors.

A Terrible Second Half

[boatswain-10593 · 2/10 · 14 April 2024]

From the jump it was obvious what was happening. We could tell she was after the daughter with those longing gazes, but the dead-eyed stares in between were missed by the parents.

So why, writers and producers, did you feel it necessary to reveal her intentions in episode one? Add soon that happened I knew this would be bad.

A great deal of what happened in this would never happen in reality. Failing to call police when she got free of the cupboard. The detective hanging up the phone when the husband called.

When she fell off the edge why did the pull back shot show them so far from the edge? She would've fallen onto the grass in front of them as they reached out to save her.

Shockingly bad script.

Weak acting save for Lee Ingleby.

Some incomprehensible real world scenarios.

You can suspend your disbelief, you just won't believe what you're watching.