Vast land, mountain ranges, endless skies, a secluded house: whether nature is protective or threatening towards the characters in this horror drama?
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A childless couple raises sheep in the wilderness, does hard work on the remote farm, which is nestled in the impressively rugged Icelandic mountain landscape: Here, on Christmas Eve, one of their sheep becomes pregnant in a mysterious way and gives birth to a small creature – half sheep, half human child. Instead of reacting with horror and disgust, Maria and Ingvar pull it up to themselves.
The little creature should be called Ada and henceforth not grow up in the stable, but in the house like her own daughter. Even if the mother sheep has to die for it. But the family happiness that has apparently been achieved is suddenly disturbed when Ingvar’s useless and heavily indebted brother Pétur appears on the farm. Pétur is shocked by the sight of Ada. But he also sees that Maria and Ingvar are happier with the little creature than ever before. But there is another creature that threatens the idyll …
Jóhannsson Debut is as excellent as it is creepy
Valdimar Jóhannssons marks his cinema debut with a horror drama that is as ambivalent as it is intense, which was already shown in Cannes in the series “Un certain Regard”. And not for nothing: In addition to the brilliant actors, especially Noomi Rapace, the film casts a spell over the audience with its unbelievable story and clear, superficial, ultra-realistic images. And finally with its special effects. The scary drama has rightly received several awards.
January 3, 2022 // editorial staff kulturnews
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