A girl born into an all-female cult led by a man in their compound begins to question his teachings and her own reality.
Joining the likes of “Midsommar” and “The Lodge,” “The Other Lamb” is the latest in a string of films to tackle the mysterious and toxic allure of cults. It’s always interesting to see interpretations of lifestyles so far removed from social norms. It seems cults have always existed in some form large or small, thus they’ll always be a rich subject to explore.
Sporting his longest hairdo yet, Michael Huisman plays Shepherd, the sole male, and enigmatic leader of the group. His “flock” is made up of women who are adorned in red or blue dresses to signify their status. The red dresses are worn by his many wives and the blue ones are assigned to the younger women, who are next in line. During supper, Shepherd delivers some patriarchal sermons and chooses two girls in blue dresses to spend the night in his private lodge. His presence is emblazoned all over the thick woods, even his face is idolized, crudely carved into a large tree.
The group is subjected to bizarre rituals, one ceremony involves the women being cordoned into a section bordered with white strings. In the cordoned section lies a freshly slaughtered lamb, Shepherd smears the thick blood onto their faces, while they repent and pledge their unquestionable love for him. This is a thoughtful production design and the white strings are present in other rooms looming over the vulnerable group like an intricate spider’s web.
For one of the youngest members, Selah (Raffey Cassidy), bad dreams and omens occur throughout. In one recurring dream, there’s a disturbing yet gorgeous shot of a woman underwater, her white dress flowing in the moonlight, covering her face. Selah’s mother is no longer around but her memory is kept alive by many members and Shepherd is particularly forlorn over her absence. One day, Selah is warned by an outcast that upon her first menstrual cycle, Shepherd will initiate intercourse with her, whether she’s willing or not. She’s unworried by this potential violation, instead, she’s enamored by the mysterious and handsome leader.
The musical choices are perfectly suited for the atmosphere. The songs are mostly old gospel numbers sung eerily but still moving. One standout is the traditional ballad, “Down to the river to pray,” which is sung near the final act in a version that might top any prior cover. The rest of the composition is scored by intense Eastern European violins that crescendo when necessary.
This is the first feature I’ve seen by Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska who shot alongside her regular cinematographer Michael Englert. Together, they capture a sense of timelessness further anchored by the forest setting and the characters’ antiquated dresses. Shot on location in Ireland, the daytime is full of splendid greens and natural sunlight creeping into the lens. The lead performances are noteworthy with Huisman slowly becoming one of my favorite leading men in horror. He’s appeared in the brilliant slow-burner “The Invitation” and the superb Netflix series, “The Haunting of Hill House.” Raffey Cassidy is an up and coming Irish actress who once again gets the opportunity to showcase her talented voice. Previously, she showed off her acting and singing chops in the tragicomedy, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” and then the wildly ambitious, “Vox Lux.” She’s a natural actor, her interactions with nature and the cult members are compelling, she’s got a bright future ahead of herself. “The Other Lamb” might be a bit dour or slow for some but between the satisfying conclusion and mystery to unpack, I think there’s more to be uncovered upon repeat viewings.
Available on Digital and VOD Friday, April 3rd
