Movie Review - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

I just watched the movie One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and was deeply impressed.

Initially, I didn't enjoy the movie much and even found it a bit annoying. I kept asking myself, Why am I watching this? Just to see a group of people with mental health issues doing seemingly meaningless, chaotic things? The nurse came across as rigid and unfun, but not particularly evil, so do the guards. But they seemed to just be doing their jobs.

It wasn't until McMurphy brought the two girls into the ward and they had their chaotic, joyful party that it clicked for me. That moment made me realize that the patients could live happier, more fulfilling lives if they were treated as real human beings instead of being controlled like robots. Yes, they caused some trouble and made a mess, but they didn't deserve the brutal punishments they faced—one ending in suicide and another being subjected to a lobotomy. Life is not just about being alive, it's more about being happy.

The turning point for me was Nurse Ratched's treatment of Billy. She knew exactly what would hurt him the most and used it against him without hesitation, simply to maintain control and "win". At that moment, she transformed from being merely strict and cold to outright malicious and evil. And then there’s what they did to McMurphy—it's heartbreaking. Despite his flaws and occasional recklessness, he was warm-hearted and genuinely cared for the others.

I also loved the ending. The Chief used McMurphy's way to escape, felt like McMurphy's spirit living on, as if they escaped together.

Then I looked back, and suddenly I realized that every scene had a purpose. What at first seemed chaotic and random was actually carefully designed. The movie is not about McMurphy and his fellow patients logically planning their escape from the ward, but about how people—whether they have mental health issues or not—are oppressed by authority and stripped of their humanity. It's a call for treating others with compassion and understanding. The movie reminds me of a messy haircut—it looks wild and disorganized at first glance, but each strand was cut with intention to create something meaningful and beautiful.

Some might find the film's storytelling a bit uneven or wonder about unanswered questions, like why the Chief was in the ward in the first place or where McMurphy found the two shallow giggling women. But those details aren't crucial. They leave room for imagination: perhaps the Chief got caught up in a violent altercation and was unfairly institutionalized, a reflection of how society often labels "different" people as problems. As for the women, whether they're prostitutes or just carefree party girls is up to the viewer to decide. A great movie doesn't need to explain every detail—it focuses on its core message and leaves room for interpretation.

Overall, I think this is an exceptional film—one of the rare few that linger in your mind long after watching.