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Drama horror film

Lamb (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Lamb (2021) movie poster

Lamb is a 2021 drama horror film directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, starring Noomi Rapace as Maria, Hilmir Snær Guðnason and Lára Björk Hall. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $3.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
worldwide gross
$3.2M
Echo Score
73
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Lamb (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Fantasy , Horror
Original language
Icelandic
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lamb About?

The premise of Lamb without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the stark beauty of the Icelandic countryside, a childless couple finds their peaceful existence disrupted when a mysterious discovery is made in their sheep barn. They unexpectedly find a newborn lamb, and in an act of tenderness, decide to raise it as their own. However, their unconventional act sets in motion a series of unsettling events, awakening primal forces and unleashing a malevolent power. As they struggle to understand the unfolding horror, they are plunged into a dark and atmospheric world of ancient terrors and modern despair, threatening everything they hold dear.

Lamb Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • parenthood
  • psychodrama
  • human animal hybrid
  • iceland
  • brother in law sister in law conflict
  • barn
  • birth of lamb
  • human sheep hybrid
  • chimera
  • psychological horror
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father daughter relationship
+38 more
  • uncle niece relationship
  • rural life
  • tractor
  • no opening credits
  • folk horror
  • arctic region
  • pet cat
  • feature film directorial debut
  • herd of sheep
  • herding dog
  • chapter headings
  • border collie
  • watching a music video
  • visiting a grave
  • child abduction
  • female nudity
  • body horror
  • husband wife sex
  • female topless nudity
  • watching handball on tv
  • vhs tape
  • brother brother relationship
  • little girl
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • sleeping on a couch
  • sleeping in a barn
  • locked in a room
  • piano playing
  • woman plays a piano
  • land rover
  • shot in the neck
  • horse herd
  • cowritten by director
  • science fantasy
  • sheep farmer
  • attempted blackmail
  • dead daughter
  • killing a sheep
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Cast & crew

Lamb Cast & Characters

Noomi Rapace leads the cast as Maria, with Hilmir Snær Guðnason as Ingvar and Lára Björk Hall as Ada. Directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Valdimar Jóhannsson

More films directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson: Dawn and Dolor.

Full filmography
Ratings

Lamb Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lamb 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).

73 /100

Lamb Echo Score Breakdown

Lamb presents a measured blend of stark visuals and unsettling narrative that resonates more with niche audiences than mainstream viewers. Critics commend its minimalist direction and haunting atmosphere, while many users note the film’s deliberate pacing and ambiguous ending as polarizing. The strong performances, particularly by Noomi Rapace, elevate the emotional core, but the slow progression limits broader appeal. Consequently, the film earns a respectable but uneven reception.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film exhibits a restrained yet purposeful style, drawing on minimalist influences and striking Icelandic landscapes. Critics highlight the director’s keen eye and the film’s striking composition, while users appreciate the scenery despite noting occasional sluggishness. The editing maintains long silences that reinforce tension, contributing to a cohesive aesthetic that is largely praised.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When assessing character work, the performances, especially Noomi Rapace’s portrayal of a conflicted mother, are consistently lauded. Critics emphasize the depth and emotional resonance of the lead, and users echo this sentiment, describing the acting as believable and affecting. Some viewers find the hybrid protagonist puzzling, yet the overall character dynamics are seen as a strength that grounds the film’s odd premise.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, intertwining folk horror elements with an ambiguous parental bond. Critics admire its originality and thematic boldness, though a few note the ending’s perplexity. User feedback reflects a split view: some celebrate the outlandish yet original premise, while others criticize the slow build and unsatisfying conclusion. This mixed reaction places the story in a modest, middle‑range position.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    The film’s auditory and visual texture relies on sparse sound design and an austere palette that accentuates its bleak setting. Critics commend the effective use of silence to generate suspense and the immersive cinematography. Users echo appreciation for the soothing landscape and atmospheric mood, though some note the pacing detracts from engagement. Overall, the sensory components are seen as a compelling and well‑executed aspect of the work.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Replay value hinges on a viewer’s tolerance for slow, contemplative horror. Critics suggest the film’s haunting imagery and thematic depth reward multiple viewings, while many users find the prolonged silence and lack of conventional action diminish rewatch interest. Those who appreciate ambiguous storytelling and strong performances may return for the lingering emotional impact, but the film’s deliberate pacing restricts its appeal for repeat consumption.

Plot

Lamb Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Lamb from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The cinematic experience unfolds in the rugged, snow-covered terrain of Iceland, where an unseen force stalks through the frozen landscape, its heavy breathing resonating in the stillness. This mysterious entity eventually finds its way to a rustic barn, where it encounters a flock of sheep, leading to the tragic demise of one innocent creature.

In the heart of this icy wilderness, we find Maria (Noomi Rapace) and her husband Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason), a quiet couple deeply entrenched in their rural lifestyle. Their days are spent devoted to their sheep and the regular rhythms of farm life, marked by Ingvar’s solitary excursions across the sweeping landscape, often accompanied by their beloved dog.

Full summary

The whole story of Lamb, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Lamb Box Office

Lamb grossed $3.2 million worldwide. $2.7 million came from the US and Canada and $512,677 (16%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.2M

US & Canada
$2.7M
International
$512.7K
US & Canada 84% Rest of the world 16%
Videos

Lamb Trailers & Videos

The teaser of Lamb.

Quiz

How Well Do You Know Lamb?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What unusual deformity does the lamb born to Maria and Ingvar's flock possess?

Cars

Cars in Lamb

5 cars on screen, including the 1999 Land-Rover Discovery Series II and the 2006 Kubota ME9000.

All 5 cars
  • 1999 Land-Rover Discovery Series II in Lamb 1999 Land-Rover Discovery Series II Important role
  • 2006 Kubota ME9000 in Lamb 2006 Kubota ME9000 Minor role
  • Massey Ferguson 135 in Lamb Massey Ferguson 135 Minor role
  • 2003 Mercedes-Benz Intouro O 560 in Lamb 2003 Mercedes-Benz Intouro O 560 Minor role
Details

Lamb Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Jērs” and “Dýrið”.

Also known as
  • Jērs
  • Dýrið
  • LAMB/ラム
  • Laemb
  • LAMB/ラム:2021
  • Cordeiro
  • 램
  • Ada
  • Агнец
  • Bárány
  • טלה
  • 羊崽
+15 more
  • Kuzu
  • El Cordero
  • Агнець
  • Lamm
  • Αμνός
  • Cừu
  • Janje
  • الماعز
  • Avelė
  • 羊懼, კრავი
  • LAMB/ラム
  • Jagnje
  • Mielul
  • Lambuke
  • Јагње

Seen Lamb?

FAQ

Lamb FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Lamb, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Lamb?

Lamb runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Lamb released?

Lamb was released on October 8, 2021.

Who directed Lamb?

Lamb was directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson.

More films by Valdimar Jóhannsson

Who is in the cast of Lamb?

Lamb stars Noomi Rapace as Maria, Hilmir Snær Guðnason as Ingvar and Lára Björk Hall as Ada, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Lamb make at the box office?

Lamb grossed $3.2 million worldwide ($2.7 million domestic, $512,677 international).

How is Lamb rated?

Lamb has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Lamb have a post-credit scene?

No. Lamb has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Lamb in?

The original language of Lamb is Icelandic.

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