Lamb is weird, but don’t expect the jump scares or grotesque shots of similar A24-distributed horror films like Hereditary or Midsommar. Lamb is much more eerie than scary, serving as a family drama about a lonely Icelandic couple raising a half-lamb/half-toddler hybrid. From a horror perspective, the film may be considered a miss. Some elements are there - especially a prolonged sense of uneasiness - but as a creepy, allegorical tale of a lamb-person, it works.
The lamb, named Ada, is the highlight of the film. I may have set unrealistic expectations with so little being shown in the trailers, but I fully expected to have that little jeans-wearing freak chill me to my core. Instead, I found myself smirking as I watched it dance to Icelandic techno music. Every so often, there will be a shot of Ada roaming a meadow wearing rain boots and a flannel, and you know what? It's cute. But that's my gripe - Lamb isn't freaky enough. There are chilling moments - including a prolonged shot of a barnful of lambs with glowing, devilish eyes and a scene in which María (Noomi Rapace) releases her frustrations on Ada's lamb mother - but they never fully rattled me.
Lamb doesn't feature much dialogue but the film's leads, Noomi Rapace and Hilmer Snær Guonason, deliver striking performances. Much of the film's emotions, whether it be grief or pure delight, are translated through the actors' subtle facial reflections. In many instances, including Ada's birth, the only cue to be scared comes from Rapace or Guonason's reaction, furthering the film's lingering anguish.
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Lamb is its look. The shots of the couple's farm are beautiful, whether it be their sprawling meadow or the towering mountains in the background. The setting gives the film a strong sense of isolation, making the impending doom that much more prevalent. If Lamb would've taken place in a small town, it wouldn't have worked. But because it's a couple, seemingly miles from another soul, you can't help but feel like when disaster strikes that it's going to be bad.
Lamb isn't going to be for everyone, but if you're someone who has enjoyed previous A24 horror films or simply wants to spend 100 minutes with a sweater-donning lamb, it's worth checking out at the weekend matinee or from the comfort of your home. Lamb likely won't wind up on any of my year-end "Best Of" lists or warrant a rewatch, but I'm glad I got to hang out with Ada - even if she wears a sweater significantly better than me.
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