Read Positive User Reviews for Lamb (2021)

7

moviemitch96Oct 8, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This bizzare little Icelandic indie follows a couple living on a lamb farm living in the rural mountains of Iceland. One day, one of their lambs unexpectedly and very strangely gives birth to a half-lamb half-human hybrid. The couple take it upon themselves to raise it on their own, but soon find out that interfering with nature has its challenges (and consequences). The premise is so out there that I almost wasn't sure what to think upon seeing the trailer for this, but I'm certainly open-minded enough to go to whacky and outlandish indie films such as this all the time. So I went in with modest expectations, and while the film does work surprisingly well in some regards, I was simply disappointed in how much it seemed to drag, although this did allow me to take better notice of and appreciate the gorgeous cinematography and mountain views throughout the film. A rather minimalist approach was used for the film as well. Dialogue was rather scarce, with only a handful of scenes containing words and interactions with the characters. And as far as the performances go, Noomi Rapace (best known for the Swedish 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' films) gives what I'd consider her best (and most heartbreaking) performance to date. Even as the film managed to keep me better invested in the second half, the last 5 or so minutes suddenly became rather bleak and dismal all of a sudden for my liking, and the film ended on such a sad and uncomfortable note that left me feeling empty and hollow as I walked out of the theater. Overall, a bizzare premise is made surprisingly worthwhile thanks in large part to the performances, cinematography, and themes of parenthood that are implemented somewhat cleverly, but the pace did drag a bit for me, and the ending really left a bad taste in my mouth.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

sanctuarydecineDec 25, 2021

i thought this would be a semi horror, artsy creature feature, but this turned out to be a weird family drama. nice reveal at the end and i really like the film but i wanted more horror or just some cool horrific imagery. i ended up laughingi thought this would be a semi horror, artsy creature feature, but this turned out to be a weird family drama. nice reveal at the end and i really like the film but i wanted more horror or just some cool horrific imagery. i ended up laughing more than being disturbed or horrified. … Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

Brent_MarchantOct 9, 2021

What a refreshing surprise! This unusual blend of mystery, horror, folk tale, and dark, offbeat comedy will easily tickle those whose funny bones lean toward the strange and macabre. When a childless Icelandic sheep herding farm couple findsWhat a refreshing surprise! This unusual blend of mystery, horror, folk tale, and dark, offbeat comedy will easily tickle those whose funny bones lean toward the strange and macabre. When a childless Icelandic sheep herding farm couple finds a surprise in their stable, it sends them down a path strewn with happiness, tragedy, karma and more than a few surprises. Writer-director Valdimar Johannsson's debut feature definitely won't appeal to everyone, but those who appreciate fresh, inventive material will love this immensely creative offering, told with subtle, tongue-in-cheek wit, gorgeous cinematography and a style that relies more on showing than telling. Imagine a contemporary story told in the style of a Grimms fairy tale, and you've got a pretty good idea what's in store in this stylish, creepy, hilarious and darkly charming release.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10

CharlesMOct 9, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Lamb is to Animal Farm as Elephant (2003) is to Elephant (1989). It is a story of our times told through allegory. Despite the low budget and minimal cast and filming location, it has a lot to offer in narrative and cinematography. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of symbolism, Russian literature, and/or precision storytelling. I do not recommend this film to literally anyone else. You will not enjoy it, you will think it is slow, you will think nothing happens, you will think the "twist" is underdone, etc. Honestly can say, Lamb is my new favorite film, and I eagerly await Valdimar Jóhannsson's next project.

(SPOILERS AHEAD)

In most basic terms, Lamb, to me (I will only emphasize this once, this is my opinion, I do not pretend there is an exact takeaway from any work of art, as art is subjective) is about the struggle between old and new, framed in the trope of man vs nature. I do not think this film was exactly political, but I will use the terms conservative and liberal in reference to their respective philosophies. Conservative being the will to remain true to tradition, the way things have always been. Liberal being the will to bring about change at any cost. I think each character represents a specific point on the spectrum between neo-conservative and neo-liberal. The mother lamb being neo-conservative, the brother being conservative, the dog being neutral, the father being liberal, and the mother being neo-liberal. The lamb itself is not a character, but an idea. A third party ("the twist", or "the monster", or "the naked sheep man") conceived this idea. The idea was born, and the neo-liberal hijacked it and raised it as her own. The neo-conservative objected and took a stand against the perversion. The neo-liberal, unconfident in her actions against nature (the conservative ideal), silenced the neo-conservative (the only thing standing in her way of change) with a weapon. The conservative literally drops into the story. He initially objects to the perversion, but is too distracted by consumerism (cigarettes, sports, alcohol) to become uncomfortable enough to take action. In fact, when he does muster the strength to use the weapon against the idea, he eventually concedes. He is all talk, no game (see Facebook boomers). I have more to say on the mid portion of the movie, but I will leave that up to you to determine. The ending, though, is brilliant. Eventually, he who conceived the idea comes to take the idea back. In this struggle, the neutral party is killed in the crossfire, leaving only the extremes to duke it out. Using the same weapon used to silence the neo-conservative, the new conservative force silences the liberal, leaving only two polar opposites. Old vs new. But now, both sides are moved to physical action against each other in pursuit of their ideal world. This is the paradigm shift. In my opinion this is telling us that without balance in the progression of society, the liberal philosophy will always prevail. For a conservative force to meet the liberal, though, would be as impossible as the mythical goat man that represented it. This is just my take, though.

I've heard many critiques of the film. None of them attempted to interpret it at any more than face value. Walking out of the theater, I spoke with a man claiming to have a master's in English writing. He said the movie was horrible. I pleaded with him to the contrary, describing the symbolism. He simply didn't see it. If the Russian revolution never occurred, yet Animal Farm was still written verbatim, would it still be an allegory? In the same vein, if you weren't aware of the tides that move us today, would you realize that a story was calling it to your attention? I don't think his master's degree in English failed him, no, I think the true horror of the movie lies in the ignorance of the masses, the sheep, to the greater meaning of our world.… Expand

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9

OuasOct 18, 2021

I didn't know what to exactly expect because I kind of glanced the trailer, but I love A24 films. At parts I was laughing hysterically, at parts I was generally confused at how or why, at parts I was just sadden by what I was seeing and byI didn't know what to exactly expect because I kind of glanced the trailer, but I love A24 films. At parts I was laughing hysterically, at parts I was generally confused at how or why, at parts I was just sadden by what I was seeing and by the end of it, I felt like this story I connected to it. One of the best films I've seen this year. This film speaks to people differently don't take the reviews of this seriously. It is something everyone needs to see for themselves. It resonates differently with different people.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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9

PanchogulNov 20, 2021

Lamb es una de las películas más WTF que he visto en mi vida, en determinados momentos se te llena la mente de preguntas que eventualmente nunca tendrán respuesta, los hechos que les toca acontecer a los protagonistas pondrá a prueba laLamb es una de las películas más WTF que he visto en mi vida, en determinados momentos se te llena la mente de preguntas que eventualmente nunca tendrán respuesta, los hechos que les toca acontecer a los protagonistas pondrá a prueba la paciencia del espectador y si acaso vale la pena seguirles el paso, pese a que no hay respuestas a nada, es una belleza en todos los aspectos y el final parte de lo desgarrador a lo confuso.… Expand

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9

alejandro970Jan 14, 2022

This is one of those movies that comes from one in a thousand. I explain? At first the viewer does not know what he is seeing, at least until he follows the plot in detail; that without counting a disconcerting ending that leaves a strangeThis is one of those movies that comes from one in a thousand. I explain? At first the viewer does not know what he is seeing, at least until he follows the plot in detail; that without counting a disconcerting ending that leaves a strange taste in the mouth. It deserves a chance.… Expand