Cube Critics discuss ‘Reagan’ and ‘Cuckoo’

MPR News Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a biopic about an American president and another horror movie that Max is going to compare to David Lynch.

‘Reagan’

“Reagan,” a biopic about former U.S. President Ronald Reagan starring Dennis Quaid, presents an interesting mix of production values — sometimes it feels like a high-budget biopic from the 2000s, such as “W” or “Vice.” At other times, it resembles a Lifetime movie.

Quaid’s performance, while strong, is hindered by slightly distracting makeup and a voice that doesn’t quite nail Reagan’s distinctive tone, falling into an uncanny valley.

The film largely embraces the “Great Man Theory” of history, focusing on Reagan’s international diplomacy efforts, particularly his role in attempting to end the Cold War and dismantle communism. However, it only briefly touches on more controversial domestic issues like the AIDS epidemic or the War on Drugs. This leaves a gap for viewers seeking a more nuanced portrayal.

— Jacob Aloi

‘Cuckoo’

I said I wasn’t going to compare films to David Lynch anymore; I lied. A friend ran into “Twin Peaks” cast member Michael Horse, who told her that everything seems to have Lynch’s DNA on it now, and he’s right. This one sure does.

“Cuckoo” is a horror film set in the Bavarian Alps, featuring Hunter Schafer in a leading role. The film captures a Lynchian atmosphere of weirdness and mystery, centered around a teen who moves with her family to this eerie locale. The setting is notably kitschy, woody and weird like “Twin Peaks.” A mysterious woman who resembles a declining 1950s European movie star in a baggy coat and sunglasses will occasionally chase people down.

Schafer’s performance is a highlight, and while the film’s themes are not explicitly about transgender issues, it explores complex identities in a way that seems to be showing up in a lot of current horror films.

It’s easy to understand why stories of shifting identities might appeal to trans storytellers — “I Saw the TV Glow,” which I recently reviewed, was explicitly about this. Lynch’s films likewise look at worlds in which identities are not fixed, and he famously had a trans character in “Twin Peaks.”

These qualities add fascinating layers to the horror. “Cuckoo” stands out in a year rich with unique horror films, offering a compelling mix of bizarre elements and thought-provoking themes.

— Max Sparber