Synopsis: Lamb opens October 8th. A childless couple in rural Iceland make an alarming discovery one day in their sheep barn. They soon face the consequences of defying the will of nature, in this dark and atmospheric folktale, the striking debut feature from director Valdimar Jóhannsson.
Lamb is an emotional tale that is as mesmerizing as it is frustrating. Simple in its eeriness. Purposeful in its starkness. Watching this I can picture parents tucking their young Icelandic children into bed and telling them the terrifying story of the young Lamb.
I have to admit that I wanted more horror. Early on – and even in the trailer – I got the feeling this was going to get very dark with a high level of intensity. Much of that sadly did not pan out. I think there was an opportunity here to make something that would make adults sleep with the light on. But it is apparent that Director Valdemar Jóhannsson had other intentions.
Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason) and Maria (Noomi Rapace) are a rural couple eking out a living on their humble Sheep farm. They are both quiet and seem to fill the days with chores rather than marital conversation. When they do speak it is superficial and trivial. It is birthing season in the sheep barn and they deliver several young lambs; but one is a bit different than the others.
I appreciate how Valdemar doesn’t show all his cards early on. He allows the audience to try and decide what is happening on their own. My mind ran through several scenarios but never landed on the truth that was coming. If yours does, you are twisted. Sadly Jóhannsson also teases us with other aspects that never play out. And those are the ones wanted most. if my review seems vague it is intentional. I want you to have the same opportunity I did to experience it all fresh and new.
There are only three main characters in the film which adds to the isolation. Ingvar and Maria are visited by Ingvar’s brother Petur (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson). Even Petur’s character arc takes a turn you did not expect.
LAMB played to my emotions for sure. Once I realized I wasn’t getting the movie I wanted I was willing to embrace the one I got. To call it a sweet film seems out of place even though at its heart, it is. To call it dark and twisted is an actual understatement. Not sure there is a word in my thesaurus to even come close. Only A24 could get away with this offering without being sheered. This drama mystery is rated R for some bloody violent images and sexuality/nudity. Even if parents told their children this story it is certainly not intended for them to watch,
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