REVIEW: THE SHEEP DETECTIVES
THE GIST
This movie has no business being this good!
THE REVIEW
SPOILERY
EXPECTATIONS
This was a maybe watch for me but it was being raved about. Apparently it was a charming and a surprisingly heartfelt family adventure.
Apart from seeing the trailer and hearing the hype, that’s all I knew. In the end, I was looking forward to seeing this the most of the three films I saw at the cinema that day.
CONTEXT
The Sheep Detectives entered development in March 2024, under the title Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, with Jackman and Thompson cast in the lead roles; the rest of the cast was announced in June that year, and in April 2025. Balda and Mazin were confirmed to direct and write the film, respectively, in June 2024. Framestore provided the animation for the animals in the film, while its score was composed by Christophe Beck.
THE PLOT
The Sheep Detectives is a mystery-comedy about an intelligent flock of sheep that takes it upon themselves to solve the murder of their beloved shepherd. The humans in their small town dismiss them as ordinary animals, leaving the sheep to secretly investigate the clues, deduce motives, and uncover a massive $30 million inheritance conspiracy.
THE EXPERIENCE
What a delightful heartwarming movie.
The hype was not hyperbole and I couldn’t be happier about that.
It’s also a great whodunnit film up there with Knives Out and Kenneth Branagh Murder movies.
I didn’t guess who the killer was until it was spelled out and even then there was a twist on that.
The second Hugh Jackman film this year to pleasantly surprise me
THE MEAT
Expectations. When I first learnt about The Sheep Detectives it was by seeing the poster for it and I immediately thought “nope, not for me”. Then I heard Hugh Jackman was attracted to it because of the script. Then I saw some trailers. Then I heard early reviews. Everything I assumed about this film was wrong just because I didn’t like the poster. I love when my expectations are turned on their head.
The CGI was amazing. At no point did I question the fact that sheep were talking, nor did it come across as gimmicky. The sheep were so lifelike and animated the effects team deserve an award.
The Story: From the beginning the story got me. The narration and characters move it along seamlessly. You’d think a story about sheep solving a murder mystery would be silly but it totally works. I mean, it is silly, but in a wonderful way. The story is a classic whodunnit but in the world of sheep where they are afraid to even cross the road or can instantly forget things at will which makes for some magical moments.
The great cast. I couldn’t believe all the great actors that kept appearing in the film along with the voice actors. I guessed every voice actor apart from Brett Goldstein and Bella Ramsey. For some reason I thought Cailee Spaeny was a voice actor in this but never heard her, turns out she was not in it, wishful thinking I guess. Standout Voice actors were Julia Louis Dreyfuss and Bryan Cranston with Chris O’Dowd and Rhys Darby close behind. When it comes to the live action actors Hugh Jackman was the centre and soul of this movie despite being the person who gets murdered early on. His memory and legacy of kindness and empathy on the people and animals in his life emanates throughout them.
SUMMARY
I booked today off work months ago to see The Mandalorian & Grogu. Turns out I took it off to see The Sheep Detectives.
I wanted to rate this high and was gut feeling going with 8/10. Does it fit with other films I have rated 8/10 this year? Well there’s Song Sung Blue, F1, and Marty Supreme. Is it that good? Yes. Yes it is.
