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Plot Summary


The cinematic experience unfolds in the rugged, snow-covered terrain of Iceland, where an unseen force stalks through the frozen landscape, its heavy breathing resonating in the stillness. This mysterious entity eventually finds its way to a rustic barn, where it encounters a flock of sheep, leading to the tragic demise of one innocent creature.

In the heart of this icy wilderness, we find Maria (Noomi Rapace) and her husband Ingvar (Hilmir Snær Guðnason), a quiet couple deeply entrenched in their rural lifestyle. Their days are spent devoted to their sheep and the regular rhythms of farm life, marked by Ingvar’s solitary excursions across the sweeping landscape, often accompanied by their beloved dog.

As Christmas Eve draws near, their tranquil routine is abruptly interrupted upon the discovery of a lamb born with an unusual deformity within their flock. Overwhelmed with compassion, they decide to care for the little creature, naming her Ada. This newfound responsibility injects fresh purpose into their lives; particularly for Ingvar, whose emotions are stirred in reflection of the beauty of existence.

However, Maria’s maternal instincts soon lead her to become excessively protective of Ada. Her vivid dreams—filled with rams and sheep glowing with an otherworldly, sinister light—foreshadow a growing unrest that contrasts with her calm exterior.

Meanwhile, in a remote area, a group of strangers violently dispose of Pétur (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson), a man whose destiny is intertwined with the mysterious events in Maria’s life. As Pétur fights to regain his footing, he unwittingly heads towards the home of the couple, oblivious to the foreboding darkness that lies ahead.

The peace of Maria and Ingvar’s life is shattered when they realize that Ada is missing one afternoon. In a frantic search, Maria heads to the barn and confronts Ada’s mother. Driven by instinct, she makes a heartbreaking decision—ending the sheep’s life and burying her far from sight. This pivotal moment is witnessed by Pétur, whose presence signals imminent chaos for the couple.

Upon entering their humble home, the air is thick with secrets as Pétur is revealed to be Ingvar’s brother. The connection seems intimate, hinting at a deeper bond shared between Pétur and Maria. As they gather for a meal, Ada’s peculiar presence is revealed—she walks on two legs, and her left arm bears strikingly human traits. An unsettling dynamic emerges as Pétur observes Maria bathing with Ada, noticing disturbing similarities between Ada’s form and that of a human.

Curious yet apprehensive, Pétur questions Ingvar about their unusual family dynamic. Ingvar reassures him of their happiness, yet Maria’s discomfort is palpable, aware of Pétur’s volatility. As Pétur becomes entwined in their family life, his initial horror towards Ada—viewing her as a mere animal—persists.

As the night progresses, Pétur’s inner conflict heightens, leading to a secretive attempt to eliminate Ada while Ingvar and Maria sleep. However, he is unable to go through with it, and the next morning reveals an unexpected sight: Ada nestled peacefully in Pétur’s arms, alongside her brother.

In a sorrowful moment, Maria leads Ada to the grave of their stillborn child, the very namesake for Ada. As the family dynamics shift, Pétur grows fond of Ada, treating her as a surrogate niece while Ingvar and Maria nurture their troubled relationship. Despite the festivities of the night, a sinister presence looms outside as the unseen creature from earlier returns, mercilessly claiming their dog before seizing their weapon.

As Ingvar succumbs to drunken slumber, Pétur, frustrated and restless, makes advances towards Maria, who firmly rejects him. The air thickens with tension when he alludes to witnessing her take Ada’s mother’s life, hinting at secrets that threaten their fragile peace.

In a moment of calculated defiance, Maria kisses Pétur and then confines him to a closet for the night, allowing the echoes of his protests to linger in the atmosphere as her haunting melody fills the air—signaling the brewing storm within.

With dawn breaking over the landscape, Maria sends Pétur off to the bus stop, a mix of sorrow and relief painted across her face. She passes him a small fortune as a gesture for a new beginning. Meanwhile, Ingvar leads Ada through the fields, their laughter echoing under the bright sky.

However, Maria’s calm is shattered when she hears a distant gunshot upon returning home. Rushing to the source, her heart plummets as she discovers Ingvar, fatally wounded by a grotesque ram, possibly connected to Ada’s origins. The creature, having claimed Ingvar, reaches for Ada, who finds herself torn between fear and a longing for her father.

In a moment of despair, Maria flees and searches for Ingvar, finding him on the brink of death. Despite her desperate pleas for him to reveal Ada’s location, he passes away, leaving Maria consumed by heartbreak and confusion. Standing amid the remnants of her shattered world, she laments the loss of both her friend and the child, enveloped in profound sorrow as she confronts the grim reality of her fate.

Timeline


Mysterious Encounter

An unseen force prowls the rugged, snow-covered terrain of Iceland, creating an eerie atmosphere. This entity makes its way to a rustic barn, where it encounters a flock of sheep, leading to the tragic demise of an innocent creature, setting the tone for the mysterious events to come.

Iceland

Maria and Ingvar's Quiet Life

In the heart of the icy wilderness, Maria and her husband, Ingvar, live a quiet life on their rural sheep farm. Their days are characterized by devotion to their sheep and the regular rhythms of farm life, often accompanied by their dedicated dog.

Rural Iceland

The Arrival of Ada

As Christmas Eve approaches, Maria and Ingvar discover a lamb born with an unusual deformity within their flock. Moved by compassion, they decide to care for the little creature, naming her Ada, which reinvigorates Ingvar with a newfound sense of purpose.

Christmas Eve Sheep Barn

Fleeting Peace

While Maria's maternal instincts for Ada grow stronger, her vivid dreams reveal an underlying tension. These dreams, filled with rams and sheep glowing with an ominous light, foreshadow a growing unrest that contrasts with the couple’s calm exterior.

Pétur's Arrival

In a distant area, a group of strangers violently disposes of Pétur, a man whose fate is unknowingly linked to Maria's life. As he struggles to regain his footing, he heads towards the couple's home, unbeknownst to the dark events that are unfurling.

The Frantic Search

Maria’s life is turned upside down when she realizes that Ada is missing. During her frantic search, she confronts Ada’s mother, and in a moment of desperation, she ends the sheep's life, burying it away from sight, adding to the emotional turmoil.

Barn

Pétur's Revelation

Upon entering their home, Pétur is revealed to be Ingvar's brother, which introduces an intimate and unsettling dynamic into the household. As they gather for a meal, the peculiar presence of Ada, who exhibits both human traits and behaviors, raises alarms for Pétur.

Family Home

Pétur's Struggle

Curious yet unsettled by Ada's existence, Pétur begins questioning Ingvar about their unusual family. Ingvar reassures him of their happiness, but Maria feels the tension, aware of the dangerous secrets that underpin their fragile peace.

A Growing Bond

As the night deepens, Pétur’s conflict intensifies, leading him to contemplate eliminating Ada while Ingvar and Maria are asleep. However, he falters when he finds Ada peacefully nestled in his arms the next morning, signifying a troubling shift in loyalty.

Next Morning

Confronting the Past

In a heart-wrenching moment, Maria leads Ada to the grave of her stillborn child, the namesake for the lamb. This act symbolizes both her grief and the shifting family dynamics as Pétur begins to bond with Ada, treating her affectionately as a surrogate niece.

Grave Site

The Sinister Return

During a night filled with festivities, an unseen creature returns, brutally claiming the couple's dog. The tension escalates as the threat of the mysterious entity lurks just outside their home, ominously reminiscent of the opening tragedy.

Fractured Relations

As Ingvar drinks himself to sleep, Pétur's frustration grows, leading him to make unwanted advances toward Maria. The atmosphere becomes thick with resentment when Pétur hints at witnessing Maria’s actions against Ada's mother, threatening to expose their dark secrets.

A Night of Secrets

In a moment of calculated defiance, Maria kisses Pétur and confines him to a closet for the night, allowing the tension to build in the air. The haunting melody of her song echoes through the home, signaling the brewing storm beneath the surface.

That Night Family Home

A Parting Gesture

As dawn breaks, Maria sends Pétur off with a mix of sorrow and relief, handing him money for a fresh start. Meanwhile, Ingvar playfully guides Ada through the fields, their laughter creating a fleeting moment of peace.

Morning

Tragic Fate

Maria's calm is shattered when she hears a distant gunshot and rushes home only to discover that Ingvar has been fatally wounded by a grotesque ram, a being possibly linked to Ada's origins. Overwhelmed with grief, she faces the harrowing reality of losing both her husband and the child she yearned for.

Home

Characters


Maria

Maria is a complex character whose maternal instincts drive her actions throughout the film. She displays a profound capacity for love, yet struggles with the weight of her protective nature, leading to drastic and heartbreaking decisions. Her evolving relationship with Ada reveals deep emotional layers as she navigates grief and loss.

👩‍🌾 Farmer 💔 Grief

Ingvar

Ingvar embodies the quiet strength of rural life, deeply connected to his land and livestock. His affection for Ada represents a softer side, yet beneath it lies a growing vulnerability as he grapples with the events surrounding them. His tragic fate serves as a catalyst for Maria's unraveling.

👨‍🌾 Farmer 🍃 Nature

Pétur

Pétur is a character caught between horror and intrigue as he navigates the unsettling dynamics of Maria and Ingvar's family. Initially presenting as an outsider, he becomes entwined in their lives, showcasing a blend of curiosity and conflict as he comes to terms with Ada's true nature.

🤔 Intruder 😨 Conflict

Setting


Time period

Christmas Eve

The events of the film unfold around Christmas Eve, a time traditionally associated with family, warmth, and celebration. However, in this story, the typical festive atmosphere contrasts heavily with the dark and tragic events that transpire, adding an eerie layer to the holiday.

Location

Iceland

The film takes place in the rugged, snow-covered terrain of Iceland, known for its stunning natural landscapes and harsh weather conditions. This isolated rural setting serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama, highlighting the couple's connection to the land and their sheep farming lifestyle.

🇮🇸 Iceland ❄️ Rural

Themes


🌌

Isolation

Isolation serves as a core theme, portrayed through the couple's remote life in the harsh Icelandic wilderness. Their solitude both nurtures their bond and amplifies their inner struggles, leading to a deeper exploration of familial and existential connections.

👁️

Maternal Instincts

Maternal instincts are vividly illustrated through Maria's deep connection to the lamb, Ada. Her protective nature drives her to drastic actions, demonstrating how love can compel individuals to confront the moral complexities of their choices.

🔪

Consequences of Violence

The theme of violence and its repercussions is evident, as the film explores decisions made in the heat of emotion and their tragic outcomes. The violent act that disrupts the couple's life ultimately leads to irreversible changes, emphasizing how quickly peace can turn to chaos.

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