Lamb is an unusually restrained piece of folk horror that succeeds more through atmosphere than conventional storytelling. Writer-director Valdimar Jóhannsson places Noomi Rapace and Hilmir Snær Guðnason at the center of an isolated Icelandic sheep farm, where a devastating personal loss leaves the couple emotionally adrift. Their understated performances give the film much of its emotional weight, allowing long stretches of silence and sparse dialogue to speak for them. Rather than rushing toward horror, the film patiently cultivates an unsettling sense of unease, blending Scandinavian folklore with themes of grief, denial, and humanity's desire to reclaim what has been lost. Its breathtaking cinematography and haunting Icelandic landscapes become characters in their own right, creating an ethereal atmosphere that fits comfortably within A24's catalog of artistically ambitious genre films.
That deliberate pacing, however, is also Lamb's greatest obstacle. The film invests so heavily in mood and symbolism that its narrative often feels secondary, leaving several intriguing ideas frustratingly underdeveloped by the time the credits roll. Jóhannsson demonstrates admirable restraint by refusing to overexplain the story's supernatural elements, but the emotional payoff never quite matches the careful buildup. While I appreciated the film's confidence and craftsmanship, I found myself admiring it more than becoming emotionally invested in it. Lamb is a thoughtful, visually captivating meditation on loss wrapped inside an unconventional fairy tale, but its measured pace and opaque storytelling may leave many viewers feeling more detached than moved.
A haunting reminder that adopting farm animals rarely ends with a happy ewe-ever-after.
Ohhh, okay….
Beautiful, haunting cinematography and breathtaking landscapes. Such a wonderful little farm with such incredible views - uh, yeah, maybe I could see myself raising a family there (in an alternate timeline where I haven’t already destroyed my body beyond possibility)
Is it bad that I guessed the ending from the first conversation? (I wrote this 100% convinced the dad was going to come back from the future to impregnate the sheep lmfao) lol I thought I had it!
Made me realize that The Conjuring has ruined clothesline hanging scenes for me lol always waiting for the silhouette
Love Ada being the May queen 🌻👑
This should be Iceland’s submission / propf of concept for Dekalog 7: Thou Shalt Not Steal
JOKE (?) SPOILER ALERT ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Krampus is the father
They PLAYED with my EMOTiONs from Start to finish. Very SATiSFYiNG.
Reviews
Lamb
Garrett Wilkins reviewed
Lamb
July 2, 2026Lamb is an unusually restrained piece of folk horror that succeeds more through atmosphere than conventional storytelling. Writer-director Valdimar Jóhannsson places Noomi Rapace and Hilmir Snær Guðnason at the center of an isolated Icelandic sheep farm, where a devastating personal loss leaves the couple emotionally adrift. Their understated performances give the film much of its emotional weight, allowing long stretches of silence and sparse dialogue to speak for them. Rather than rushing toward horror, the film patiently cultivates an unsettling sense of unease, blending Scandinavian folklore with themes of grief, denial, and humanity's desire to reclaim what has been lost. Its breathtaking cinematography and haunting Icelandic landscapes become characters in their own right, creating an ethereal atmosphere that fits comfortably within A24's catalog of artistically ambitious genre films.
That deliberate pacing, however, is also Lamb's greatest obstacle. The film invests so heavily in mood and symbolism that its narrative often feels secondary, leaving several intriguing ideas frustratingly underdeveloped by the time the credits roll. Jóhannsson demonstrates admirable restraint by refusing to overexplain the story's supernatural elements, but the emotional payoff never quite matches the careful buildup. While I appreciated the film's confidence and craftsmanship, I found myself admiring it more than becoming emotionally invested in it. Lamb is a thoughtful, visually captivating meditation on loss wrapped inside an unconventional fairy tale, but its measured pace and opaque storytelling may leave many viewers feeling more detached than moved.
cultfilmliker reviewed
Lamb
April 28, 2025Ohhh, okay….
Beautiful, haunting cinematography and breathtaking landscapes. Such a wonderful little farm with such incredible views - uh, yeah, maybe I could see myself raising a family there (in an alternate timeline where I haven’t already destroyed my body beyond possibility)
Is it bad that I guessed the ending from the first conversation? (I wrote this 100% convinced the dad was going to come back from the future to impregnate the sheep lmfao) lol I thought I had it!
Made me realize that The Conjuring has ruined clothesline hanging scenes for me lol always waiting for the silhouette
Love Ada being the May queen 🌻👑
This should be Iceland’s submission / propf of concept for Dekalog 7: Thou Shalt Not Steal
JOKE (?) SPOILER ALERT ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Krampus is the father
