Movie Review: ‘The Sheep Detectives’

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Review by Adam Courtliff

A really good detective film can often feel like finding a needle in a haystack. The same can arguably be said for an emotionally rich all ages film amongst all the lazy, half baked stories that seem to be served up these days. However, The Sheep Detectives, which could be likened to a family friendly version of the Knives Out franchise, despite feeling a little cheesy at times, proves that a film can be both, joyfully adapting Three Bags Full to the big screen in what is bound to be the ultimate crowd pleaser.

The Sheep Detectives premise is simple and very easy to follow. George (Hugh Jackman) is a solitary shepherd living in the quaint British town of Denbrook, whose only remnant of a social life is reading mystery novels to his flock of sheep. When he is inexplicably murdered in the night, the flock must step up and, after absorbing every word of the murder mysteries George read to them, put their expertise to the test to solve the whodunnit themselves.

The set up is very familiar and deliberately follows the same tropes you would expect from a film of this nature. Quickly, the human suspects in the form of an impressive cast made up of Molly Gordon, Emma Thompson, Hong Chau, Conleth Hill, Nicholas Galitzine, and Tosin Cole are introduced, with each of their motives made clear. But do not expect help from the local policeman Tim (Nicholas Braun) as, rather comically, he is painfully inept. There is enough from the outset to ensure the mystery remains just that, bound to keep adults and children alike guessing until the very end before an elaborate reveal fitting of Benoit Blanc himself.

Of course, much of the heavy lifting for a film of this ilk is reliant on the equally outstanding voice cast. It is incredibly difficult to make CGI animals feel real or relatable. Many have tried and ultimately failed, but that is where The Sheep Detectives excels. Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Lily, one of the lead sheep, is brilliant, providing an air of intelligence that is lacking in some of the others. Chris O’Dowd as Mopple carries more of the emotional weight of the flock’s story. And that is before even mentioning Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, and Brett Goldstein amongst others, all of whom bring their own personalities to the flock and make them deeply relatable in their own distinct ways.

Perhaps the most surprising element of The Sheep Detectives is how it handles the deeper themes of the story beneath the playful mystery. The exploration of grief, memory, and the overall processing of losing loved ones is handled with incredible care, whilst also not shying away from the fact mortality is a thing. It would be very easy for themes like this to come across as pandering, but via strong direction from Kyle Balda and a script from Craig Mazin, it feels honest and meaningful while being accessible to many.

The Sheep Detectives also aims to get audiences to celebrate each other’s differences and not judge a book by its cover via the inclusion of a “winter lamb”. It is abundantly clear that this element of the story is aimed towards younger audiences, but in a time where creating false narratives about someone without knowing them is rife, there is still plenty about embracing those who are different that older viewers could take on board too. In that regard, while it may feel heavy handed at times, the noble nature of its message is sincere.

Visually, The Sheep Detectives almost feels like looking at a live action picture book from yesteryear. There are bright, vibrant colours and some wonderful shots of the most stereotypical small British town you can imagine, but it helps make the film feel warm and cosy. Perhaps most importantly though, the sheep themselves look and feel real, taking me back to when I first discovered Babe.

The score, composed by Christophe Beck, matches the tone of the film impeccably well, providing a really fun energy throughout. Outside of the heartfelt messaging, there is a comedic side to The Sheep Detectives that does not necessarily always translate, but when it does it brings more than a few chuckles, with much of it carried by Brett Goldstein playing twin sheep and landing many of the punchlines.

While not perfect, The Sheep Detectives will win most audiences round by its undoubted charm without ever veering into the territory of being smug or overzealous. With a clever mystery that is bound to keep audiences guessing and a heartfelt core that will resonate with all ages, it provides the perfect cinema experience for all the family and is a definite must watch.

The Sheep Detectives is in theaters on May 8th.