[Fantastic Fest ’21] ‘Lamb’ review: The less you know, the better

Lamb is a unique movie which is best seen with as little foreknowledge as possible. Ignore all trailers, do not pour over the pictures, and read as little as possible (this review is completely safe for consumption.) The less a person knows about this film, the more impactful it will be. An argument can be made this is the case for every film, but even in today’s world of detail heavy trailers, a person can usually get away with watching a preview.

Maria and Ingvar live alone on their farm where they raise sheep. They are a quiet couple whose lives consist of their routines. One day, one of their sheep gives birth to a peculiar lamb. This moment changes their lives forever. Lamb is effortlessly beautiful. Rolling Icelandic hills dot the landscape and many scenes are filled with a creeping fog. Though the sun seems to be constantly out, the setting provides a sense of grief. The film exudes a beauty that plays into its story.

The plot is filled with emotion. As things progress, a number of different feelings play out. Happiness, grief, anger, and acceptance are all a part of Lamb. This is especially impressive since there is so little dialogue. The actors are required to get across the vast emotions through their expression and actions. This leads to empathy for the characters and adds a level of comfort.

Lamb is a film that defies categorization. It is fantasy, horror, and comedy all at the same time. This brings another type of flexibility to the film. The story allows the audience to take what they want out of it. Questions and motivations are left for the audience to answer. So, why is it so important to go in not knowing anything about the movie? It is human nature to watch anything and start to take it apart. Anytime we see something, we immediately analyze it. Lamb invites this more than others. The trailer gives nothing away allowing imaginations to run wild. The only thing a person needs to know is that the film is worth their time.

Fantastic Fest takes place from September 23 – September 30. Check out AIPT’s ongoing coverage.

Lamb opens in theaters October 8