The first feature by Valdimar Johansson, released domestically by A24, has received big news this week. Iceland has selected “Lamb” as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2022 Oscars.
The movie focuses on a couple living in rural Iceland with no children of their own. They discover something unholy in their barn and go against the will of nature by nursing it as their own.
Reviews of the film praise the cinematography and the use of the Nordic setting to establish the dreary stillness. It’s definitely a movie that’s odd and unsettling but perfect to get you in the Halloween spirit.
I’d recommend it for those of us who try to avoid too much gore. It currently has a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes with generally favorable reviews from critics saying it’s “highly imaginative.”
The script for “Lamb” was written by both Johansson and Icelandic poet Sjon. And it pays homage to their homeland in chilling ways. Thanks to the wide release of A24’s distribution, it is in the top 10 for a second week in the North American market. At home, it is the highest grossing Icelandic film in its market at $1.1 million. It’s also the first film distributed by A24 to be selected by a country for Best International Feature. There’s a lot to celebrate for Iceland, although the film does make it look hauntingly gorgeous.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn thriller, this movie will be up your alley. Or if you just want something to watch until the release of “Dune” and “The French Dispatch.”
