The Sheep Detectives (PG, 109 minutes) Verdict: Playful woolly whodunit Rating: Three stars
Shaun the Sheep (2015) and its sequel Farmageddon (2019) established a high standard for family-friendly sheep comedies. The Sheep Detectives matches that benchmark only sporadically, yet delivers several delightful moments throughout.
Star-Studded Cast and Crew
Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson anchor the live-action performances, supported by an impressive voice cast including Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, Chris O’Dowd, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Director Kyle Balda, known for Minions, helms the project, with screenwriter Craig Mazin—acclaimed for Chernobyl—crafting the story. Producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner from Working Title bring their track record of hits.
The film draws from Leonie Swann’s 2005 novel, originally titled Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie. Its eccentric suspects and twisting plot echo the Knives Out series, infused with computer-generated talking sheep.
Plot Overview
Set in rural England, the story follows George Hardy (Jackman), a devoted shepherd who names his flock—including feisty twins Ronnie and Reggie—administers blue medicine, and reads detective novels at twilight. The sheep converse secretly, drawing on those tales for insight.
When George falls victim to murder, his herd takes charge. Leading the investigation is brilliant sheep Lily (Louis-Dreyfus), alongside Mopple (O’Dowd) and Sebastian (Cranston). Human characters include a bumbling local officer (Nicholas Braun), persistent journalist (Nicholas Galitzine), sly shopkeeper (Hong Chau), and George’s acerbic lawyer (Thompson), who discloses his two adopted children.
The narrative channels Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders, blending cozy mystery with humor.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The CGI sheep impress with lifelike animation, and the pace keeps viewers engaged. Standout lines highlight the sheep’s savvy, like their awareness that police often target ‘a drifter’ in such cases. Still, the film falls short of delivering consistent hilarity, leaving audiences mildly unsatisfied rather than fully entertained.
