What Is Rams About?
The premise of Rams in 284 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a remote Icelandic valley where the landscape stretches vast and quiet beneath heavy skies, two brothers, Gummi and Kiddi, live side by side in a silence as deep as the surrounding hills. Despite sharing a family farm, a love of sheep, and decades of neighboring existence, they have not exchanged a word in forty years. Their estrangement is rooted in personalities that could not have been more mismatched, and the quiet that hangs between their adjoining homes speaks to a lifetime of unresolved grievances and stubborn pride.
The valley itself feels almost like a character, its rugged beauty and isolation shaping every rhythm of life for the farmers who call it home. Sheep are not merely livestock here — they are heritage, identity, and the continuation of a way of life passed down through generations. Both brothers are unmarried, devoted to their flocks, and bound to the land in ways that make their silent coexistence both tragic and stubbornly enduring.
When a contagious disease threatens the valley’s sheep, authorities impose sweeping measures that put the entire community’s livelihood at risk. The crisis forces every farmer to confront what they are willing to sacrifice, and for the brothers, it becomes impossible to ignore the ties that still bind them, however frayed. Tensions flare anew as old wounds are reopened, and the question of legacy — of family, land, and pride — looms larger than ever.
Grímur Hákonarson’s film is a meditative portrait of rural endurance, where every unspoken word carries the weight of generations. Beneath its quiet surface, the story simmers with the stubbornness of two men whose connection to the land may be the only thing capable of breaking through decades of silence.
What Happens in Rams?
The complete story of Rams, from the first scene to the last, in 472 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
In a rural setting, two brothers, Kiddi and Gummi, have found themselves estranged for a staggering forty years, primarily due to their stark personality differences and Kiddi’s ongoing struggles with alcoholism and a notorious temper. Kiddi’s issues led to his disinheritance, creating even deeper rifts between the siblings. Meanwhile, Gummi harbors resentment and jealousy toward Kiddi’s award-winning ram, which adds further tension to their fraught relationship.
The two brothers live side by side on the family farm, which legally belongs to the sober and more responsible Gummi. Despite their disputes, both are devoted to their way of life as unmarried sheep farmers. A critical incident occurs when Gummi reports symptoms of scrapie, a serious sheep disease, in Kiddi’s prized ram. This report leads to devastating consequences, as the disease is also discovered in two neighboring farms, resulting in the necessity for a massive cull of the sheep across the entire valley. Consequently, the farmers are faced with the harrowing task of burning hay and disinfecting barns.
In a desperate and tragic attempt to hold onto his flock, Gummi takes it upon himself to slaughter his sheep before the bio-hazards team can arrive, slyly hiding a few ewes and a ram in his basement—these are the very last representatives of their breed. The situation soon deteriorates, with Kiddi feeling nothing but resentment towards Gummi for having reported the disease, which escalates their conflict even further. Kiddi refuses to follow orders for culling his own sheep, leading to a disturbing pattern of drunkenness and abusive behavior. As the legal owner of the farm, Gummi is compelled to step in and clean Kiddi’s unkempt barn, all while Kiddi is hospitalized for his self-destructive choices.
When Kiddi returns home sober, he inadvertently uncovers Gummi’s hidden sheep, sparking a moment of hope as he expresses a desire to assist in saving them. However, Gummi sharply rejects any connection with his brother, maintaining the cold distance that has marked their relationship for decades. As fate would have it, a member of the cleanup crew stumbles upon the sheep, forcing the two brothers to finally cooperate in a desperate bid to move them to safety in the highlands during an intense snowstorm.
Their journey becomes perilous when their quad bike becomes ensnared in a snowdrift, separating the brothers amidst increasing chaos. As the sheep drift away, Kiddi finds Gummi dangerously close to death from hypothermia in another snowdrift. Displaying a flicker of fraternity, Kiddi constructs a makeshift snowshelter in an attempt to save his brother. Tragically, despite his efforts, Gummi does not regain consciousness.
The film concludes in a poignant moment, with Kiddi futilely trying to revive Gummi, wrapped in the warmth of the makeshift shelter. It’s here that Kiddi finally acknowledges their reconciliation, hinting at the bittersweet complexities that define familial bonds, even amidst bitter rivalry and heartache.
Rams Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Brothers' Rift” to “Acknowledge Reconciliation”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Brothers' Rift
Two brothers, Kiddi and Gummi, have not spoken for forty years due to clashing personalities and past grievances. Their relationship is strained by Kiddi's alcoholism and Gummi's jealousy over a prize-winning ram.
Where:Family Farm
- 2
The Discovery of Disease
Gummi reports symptoms of scrapie in Kiddi's prized ram, leading to a veterinary investigation. The disease is confirmed in Kiddi's ram and found in two other farms, resulting in a devastating cull order for all sheep in the valley.
Where:Farm
- 3
Destruction of Livestock
In a tragic turn of events, the farmers face the slaughter of their sheep. They must also burn their hay and disinfect their barns to prevent further spread of the disease.
Where:Farmyard
- 4
Gummi's Secret
Before the bio-hazards team arrives, Gummi makes the heartbreaking decision to kill his flock while secretly hiding a few ewes and a ram in his basement. These sheep are the last of their breed, and he hopes to protect them from the culling.
Where:Gummi's Basement
- 5
Tensions Rise
Kiddi’s resentment toward Gummi escalates after the cull, blaming him for reporting the disease. This further complicates their already fractured relationship, driving a deeper wedge between the siblings.
- 6
Kiddi's Downward Spiral
Following the loss of his sheep, Kiddi succumbs to alcohol abuse and becomes increasingly abusive. He refuses to clean his barn, which Gummi is compelled to take care of as the legal owner of the farm.
Where:Kiddi's Barn
- 7
An Unexpected Alliance
Upon returning from the hospital, Kiddi discovers Gummi's hidden sheep but is met with refusal from Gummi to cooperate. However, they are soon forced into an unexpected alliance by the approach of a cleanup team.
Where:Farm
- 8
The Journey to Safety
Together, the brothers attempt to drive the hidden sheep into the highlands for safety amidst a blizzard. However, their quad bike gets bogged down in a snowdrift, leading to a crucial separation.
Where:Highlands
- 9
Forsaking Alone
Separated in the blizzard, the sheep wander off, and Kiddi searches for Gummi. He finds him buried in a snowdrift, near death from hypothermia, igniting a desperate race against time.
Where:Snowdrift
- 10
Building a Shelter
In a heroic effort, Kiddi builds a makeshift snow shelter to protect Gummi. He desperately tries to revive him, showcasing the deep bond that despite decades of estrangement remains.
Where:Shelter in the Snow
- 11
Final Moments
As Gummi remains unresponsive, Kiddi fights back tears while attempting to warm his brother in the womb-like shelter. This moment signifies potential reconciliation after years of animosity.
Where:Snow Shelter
- 12
Acknowledge Reconciliation
The film culminates in Kiddi's heartfelt attempt to save Gummi from dying in the cold, solidifying a moment of forgiveness and understanding. Their shared history and struggles come to a poignant resolution.
Where:Snowy Wilderness
Who Are the Main Characters in Rams?
2 characters, among them Kiddi and Gummi: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- K
Kiddi
Kiddi is one of the two brothers whose poor temper and issues with alcoholism have strained his relationship with Gummi for decades. As a proud owner of a prize-winning ram, his character embodies both pride and vulnerability. Throughout the film, Kiddi struggles with the loss of his flock and his own demons, ultimately seeking redemption and reconciliation with Gummi.
- 🥴 Alcoholism
- 🐏 Pride
- G
Gummi
Gummi is the sober brother, responsible and deeply devoted to his sheep. His resentment towards Kiddi stems from years of rivalry and accusations, but as disaster strikes, Gummi's character evolves as he reconciles his past mistakes. His actions during the crisis reveal a complex blend of loyalty, bitterness, and a desire for connection.
- 💔 Resentment
- 🐑 Loyalty
Where and When Is Rams Set?
Rams is set in Sheep Farm and Highlands. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The exact time period of the film is not specified, but the themes of tradition and family dynamics suggest a contemporary setting. The events unfold during a particularly harsh winter, which serves as a backdrop to the brothers’ struggles and attempts at reconciliation.
Where
Sheep Farm, Highlands
The movie is set on a sheep farm in a rural valley surrounded by the highlands. This remote location is characterized by its harsh winter conditions and the close-knit, albeit strained, community of sheep farmers. It’s a place known for its pastoral beauty but also the challenges of farming, especially when disease strikes.
- 🏞️ Rural
- 🌨️ Winter
What Are the Themes of Rams?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Family Conflict, Loss and Sacrifice and Isolation and Survival.
-
01
Family Conflict
The film deeply explores the theme of family conflict, particularly between the two brothers who have not spoken in decades due to their differences and past grievances. Their strained relationship is exacerbated by jealousy and resentment, highlighting the complexities of familial bonds. As the brothers confront their issues, the film illuminates the potential for reconciliation against a backdrop of loss and hardship.
-
02
Loss and Sacrifice
Loss is a central theme in 'Rams', as the farmers are faced with the impending culling of their sheep due to disease. Both brothers experience profound losses that force them to confront their choices and priorities. The sacrifices they make for their flocks become a metaphor for the emotional sacrifices required to heal old wounds.
-
03
Isolation and Survival
The isolation of the brothers in their rural setting parallels their emotional estrangement. As they face the brutal winter and the challenges of survival, they are forced to rely on one another in unexpected ways. The snow and harsh conditions symbolize the barriers that have kept them apart while also serving as a catalyst for their eventual reconciliation.
What Kind of Film Is Rams?
Bittersweet in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Sad
A slow, contemplative Icelandic drama where two estranged brothers in a stark winter valley face the collapse of their traditional life and confront decades of resentment in a devastating portrait of stubborn love.
- isolated
- melancholic
- contemplative
- somber
- brooding
- wintry
- family feud
- brotherhood
- rural life
- animal disease
Content notes: animal death, mass livestock culling, alcoholism, death of family member, hypothermia, forced animal slaughter.
Quiz
How well do you remember Rams? Test yourself on the story.
