Selah is a teen in a cult before her first blood. The group consists of daughters, wives, and a Christ-like figure, The Shepherd. Selah is a daughter who is eagerly looking forward to become a wife.
This sets up an intriguing world of a cult but it struggles to drive a compelling narrative. At one point, the Shepherd is basically the abusive dad who refuses to stop and ask for direction. The audience becomes part of the cult. Group-think demands that we submit but there's no way anyone would see the Garden of Eden. This needs more agency coming from Selah and earlier. This sets up an intriguing world but goes way too slowly in its narrative.
The Other Lamb
2019
Action / Drama / Horror / Mystery
The Other Lamb
2019
Action / Drama / Horror / Mystery
Keywords: deathforestreligious cultbirthpolygamy
Plot summary
Life with Shepherd is the only life Selah has ever known. Their self-sufficient community possesses no modern technology, and is hidden away in the woods, far from modern civilization. He is the group's guardian, teacher, and lover. Each of the many female members of the group is either his wife or daughter. Selah is pure in faith, but also dangerously headstrong. She was raised as a daughter of Shepherd, but it is only a matter of time before she also stands to become a wife. As an encounter with the authorities forces the women and Shepherd to build a new Eden further inland, Selah increasingly doubts her faith, and has strange, bloody visions. The onset of puberty brings with it harsh new rituals, and her first shocking glimpse of what happens to Shepherd's women as they age.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Tech specs
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intriguing but slow
I want a story
Michael (Michiel Huisman ) leads a flock of women who call him the Shepherd, not Charlie or Donald. He instructs them in teachings and places his grace in his wives, as there appear to favorites. The film centers on Selah (Raffey Cassidy ) his daughter who is about to become "impure" and his wife. She has visions of her own and begins to doubt the teachings noting there can only be one ram.
The film is interesting and boring. You know Selah will rebel at some point, the question is when and how. Unfortunately, they abbreviated that part. I would have liked to have seen more at the end.
Guide: No swearing. Brief sex. Nudity (Mallory Adams ?)
Atmospheric, a visual treat, Raffey Cassidy shines
I saw this film at TIFF 2019. I didn't know what to expect going in, having never seen any of Malgorzata Szumowska's films. While I can understand that this film won't be everyone's cup of tea, I was mesmerized by the stunning visuals, the dreamlike atmosphere, and the slow-burn storytelling, all of which culminate in a violent but ultimately satisfying climax. Raffey Cassidy is excellent as the female lead, and Michiel Huisman, who I'm usually lukewarm on, does a surprisingly good job at playing a villain you love to hate. Over time, I can see The Other Lamb becoming a cult classic of sorts. And the film's final shot is one for the ages!