The Sheep Detectives review: This baa-rmy whodunnit is fun for the whole flock

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

This quirky mystery, adapted from Leonie Swann’s novel Three Bags Full, playfully blends the charming world of talking animals – think Babe – with the suspenseful twists of Knives Out. The film’s unusual nature extends to its creators: it’s directed by Kyle Balda, known for Minions, and written by Craig Mazin, the mind behind the critically acclaimed series Chernobyl and The Last of Us.

This movie features a fantastic cast and tells the story of a sudden death, family ties, and rural life in the made-up British town of Denbrook. Hugh Jackman plays George Hardy, a shepherd who is murdered, and his sheep unexpectedly become key to solving the case. The town’s police officer, Tim (played by the very funny Nicholas Braun), is new to the job, easily distracted by romance, and not very helpful in the investigation.

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The cast also includes Hong Chau as Beth, the innkeeper who secretly envies George, and Tosin Cole as Caleb, a competing shepherd. Emma Thompson delivers a standout performance as Lydia, a sharp and direct lawyer dressed in a striking purple suit, who reads a will that throws everything into chaos.

The voice cast features Bryan Cranston as Sebastian, a seasoned sheep, and Brett Goldstein pulling double duty as the ram twins, Reggie and Ronnie. Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Regina Hall, and Rhys Darby also lend their voices, but Julia Louis-Dreyfus leads the group as Lily, a clever sheep who’s learned detective skills from the mystery stories their shepherd reads each night. Together, they need to help a confused police officer, Tim, realize he’s made a mistake and guide him towards the actual criminal.

The Sheep Detectives blends classic murder mystery tropes with a bright, family-friendly tone. It gently introduces children to the idea of death as a flock of sheep – who routinely erase their own memories and believe in a cloud-based worldview – grapple with difficult truths about life.

This mystery won’t fully satisfy dedicated fans of the genre, and some might question whether a murder story is appropriate for families. However, it’s generally a good way to introduce younger viewers to the basic elements of whodunnits, without any truly frightening scenes. The film has a shaky and overly sentimental beginning, with some confusing details about where and when it takes place, but it quickly improves after that initial slow start.

Once the shepherd passes away, ‘The Sheep Detectives’ really finds its footing and becomes a lot of fun. The sheep then proceed to solve the mystery in a delightfully chaotic and bizarre way, thanks to strong performances from the actors. The more the show embraces its silliness, the better it gets, providing entertainment for everyone.

Authors

Emma Simmonds

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2026-05-05 14:04