Over the years, A24 has turned out some unique horror movies, such as The Lighthouse, Hereditary, and Midsommar. Joining this eclectic horror list is Lamb, a film from Iceland and directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson. In A24's latest horror venture, a married couple without children discover a mysterious newborn, Ada, on their isolated farm, and decide to raise the child as their own. However, Lamb eventually leads the duo to wonder where the baby came from and if their parents will return for them.
While advertised as a suspenseful film with some fantastical elements, Lamb, is more of a modern fable than a scary story. While Lamb holds moments of terror and tension -- especially in its end -- the real surprise is how heartfelt the film is. Due to a small cast and remote location, Lamb is a quiet and intimate journey. Maria (Noomi Rapace) and Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason) live in the mountains with no neighbors in sight. This isolation makes it feel as if no one will help them, which ups the film's tension as it asks what dangers lie in the middle of nowhere -- especially after Ada enters the picture. Any sound that enters the setting becomes suspicious when it's unclear who or what is behind it.
There is a peacefulness to Lamb's isolation. Cinematographer Eli Arenson captures a storybook countryside on film. The viewer can linger on these shots to admire its serenity with a location that's almost too picturesque. This setting also amps up the power of the silent moments between the couple, thanks to Snær Guðnason and Rapace's performances.
Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, who portrays Ingvar's brother, Pétur, definitely deserves praise. As the outsider, he represents the audience, vocalizing how strange the family dynamic has become with Ada in the picture. Pétur creates some excellent moments of dry humor, which Lamb could use more of, given its absurd and fantastical premise. Truthfully, it takes a bit too long to introduce Pétur. However, the humor that follows his introduction is contagious and makes things move faster.
The joy in this film is where Lamb shines. It's in Lamb's sweet moments that the movie feels like a childhood fable. There is a clear takeaway about family, acceptance, and moving forward. The film's lessons hit a crescendo when the characters rediscover happiness after letting Ada into their lives.
Shifting gears to the film's horror elements, Lamb is light. It's easy to forget the film's earlier questions about where Ada came from because the story focuses more on the heart of the family than its mystery. This can make the film feel like a slow burn -- especially given its light dialogue. While this movie is very atmospheric, it's not story-heavy. That may not resonate well with everyone, especially if they're expecting a rural thriller with some fairy tale elements.
Lamb is a folktale that blends tragedy into a heartfelt story. It almost feels like watching a home video -- with better production value -- of an absurd family coming together and rediscovering their joy. The darker elements also bring it back to classic fairy tales, which often weren't happy through and through.