Watch Free Now: Lamb — Noomi Rapace in Icelandic Folk-Horror, Streaming with Ads
Lamb (2021), directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, is an Icelandic folk-horror film that mixes fairy-tale motifs with unsettling practical effects. It stars Noomi Rapace and Hilmir Snær Guðnason, and the screenplay is by the musician and writer Sjón. The film is currently free to watch with ads on Fandango and Xumo.
What Lamb is about
The story follows a childless couple, María and Ingvar, who discover an unusual newborn in their barn during lambing season and raise it as their child. The screenplay draws on older fairy-tale ideas about childless people who seek children through prayers, bargains, or other supernatural means. For example, similar motifs appear in stories like Momotarō, the Grimm tale often titled Hans the Hedgehog, and the musical Into the Woods.
Visuals and production
Director Valdimar Jóhannsson gives the film a distinctly Icelandic look: chilly, stony, and visually precise. The production relied on practical effects and on-location shooting to create an authentic feel. In addition, the cast worked with live animals and took part in real lambing-day activities during production, according to production notes and interviews.
Cast and credits
The lead roles are played by Noomi Rapace as María and Hilmir Snær Guðnason as Ingvar. Rapace is known for earlier work including Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The screenplay is credited to the Icelandic writer and musician Sjón, and the film was released in 2021.
Reception notes
Critics and viewers have noted the film’s blend of familiar fairy-tale beats with unnerving elements of behavior and nature. The film is frequently described as immersive and visually compelling, and it has been discussed as a modern take on traditional folklore themes.
Where to watch
Lamb is free to watch with ads on Fandango and on Xumo. It is also available for rental on Amazon and similar digital platforms.
