Do you know what they call people in society who can’t think for themselves? Sheep — brainless, docile individuals who blindly follow and are unable to form an independent thought. But not these sheep. No, they are inspectors on a mission to uncover a horrible truth. They may not all be the brightest, but what they do have is a particular set of skills — skills they’ve acquired over a very long career of sitting around grazing on grass.
“The Sheep Detectives,” based on the novel “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann, is a whodunnit tale that follows a flock — voiced by a plethora of Hollywood stars — as they investigate the tragic murder of their shepherd, George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), who reads crime novels every day to keep them entertained. Unknowingly, he has armed these unlikely private eyes with the tools they need to unmask the perpetrator responsible for his untimely demise.
A Sheep Murder Mystery
Though he does many charming things for his herd, such as caring for and shearing them, George has gained some enemies in his small town of Denbrook. But which townsperson has had enough and decided to rid the world of their problem?
This murder mystery begins with its lead detective, a sheep named Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), whose memory and attention to detail earn her the title of the smartest in the world — well, at least among her group. In some ways, she’s a shepherd as well, taking charge of both the investigation and everyday life, as the others seem to wait for her to draw conclusions or simply tell them what to think.
At a time when grief should be acknowledged, the herd avoids stressful situations or difficult thoughts in the only way they know how — by repressing everything and never bringing it up again. What is life? Is death real? What happens after this endless pasture of grass? These are of no concern to the flock. By dismissing reality and the emotions that come with it, they continue life under the belief that the grass is always greener on the other side of obliviousness.
But not Lily and her band of P.I.s. She knows that in order to find the culprit, three things must be examined: means, motive, and opportunity. But what is a good mystery without some familiar tropes? The red herring, the surprise guest, the “it was a drifter” reveal, or my personal favorite — the suspicion of the maid (there are no maids in this movie). Instead of pointing the finger at a single suspect with overwhelming evidence, the film cleverly leans into misdirection and comical gimmicks that keep things engaging.
An Enjoyable Film
This is a film I really enjoyed — not just because of the talented live-action cast or the thrill of the investigation, but because of the sense of community within the flock. We have a beauty queen (Regina Hall), a loner (Bryan Cranston), a crazy old sheep (Patrick Stewart), and a pair of twins (Brett Goldstein) who act as unpredictable wild cards. When they all come together, it makes for hilariously overdramatic encounters.
However, many of the film’s fun moments come to a halt when the flock displays cruelty toward an adorable young winter lamb (Tommy Birchall). Winter lambs are different, and those differences make it clear that if you don’t conform to the pack, you’re pushed aside and labeled an outcast — in other words, he is not “one of us.” In this way, the film shines a light on loneliness and the feeling of not being welcome simply because of how you were born.
There’s a meaningful lesson here: instead of prejudice and forced isolation, accepting those from different walks of life opens us up to new perspectives — and they may even hold the key to moving forward as a society… or, in this case, solving a cold-blooded murder. Seriously, it’s kind of heartbreaking.
A Family-Friendly Treat
I’m not sure how well this film will resonate with younger audiences, given that it lacks explosions, sing-a-longs, or the repetitive, immature humour that many moviegoers have come to expect. It’s also unclear whether its underlying themes will serve as an eye-opener for some viewers. However, as a 30-year-old man, I found it to be a delightful, family-friendly treat that my wife and I enjoyed on a Saturday night.
My main takeaway is that, even when investigating a murder, it’s important to remain open to others’ perspectives — because things are not always as they seem.
