Dir. Małgorzata Szumowska | Now Streaming On: Hulu | Rating: 4/5

The Other Lamb is a relentless and unforgiving coming of age film, exposing the horrors of being a young woman in a man’s world. After finishing this film, I remember sitting and watching the credits roll – just totally in awe of the sheer rawness of the final sequence. This is not a watch for the faint of heart, especially for viewers who are sensitive to the feminine experience. Though I don’t find this film exploitative, there are a few gut wrenching instances of violence against women. ⁠
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As to be expected of a cult centered storyline, the main themes surround belief and power. The Other Lamb does an amazing job of showing the various forms of feminine power, including the idea of reclaiming sexual identity as a source of personal power. In a way, we also watch Selah go through a version of the stages of grief as she comes to terms with the truth of her life in the cult and realizes the flaws in the Shepherd’s logic and leadership. If this isn’t your first time reading a review from me, you know I love a “good for her” moment – and The Other Lamb is just that, in the most artistic and breathtaking way. ⁠
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I would give this film a 5/5 – but what holds me back is how strictly it holds to the traditional gender dichotomy to share this message. The element of this being centered around a very traditional religious sect that adheres to gender norms does soften this, but I still wonder how certain scenes or symbolism could’ve been rewritten to be more inclusive of a feminine vs masculine ideology rather than a female vs male one. Overall, this is a well acted and beautiful project that offers a refreshing look at the cult horror lens. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features nudity, blood, death, rape, abuse. ⁠
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