‘The Sheep Detectives’ is the Coziest Mystery in Theaters!
As someone who grew up in a family that loved mysteries, I’ve seen more films and read more books of the genre than I can even count. It was a common event in the Kitson household that we would sit down around the television and try to solve whatever mystery was on faster than anyone else. It was almost a game between us, earning bragging rights for the evening, or at least until the next detective film came on. Even to this day, even though all my siblings are grown and scattered, we still discuss the latest television show and compare notes, and even read the same novels to see who can solve the murder the quickest. So when I first saw The Sheep Detectives trailer, I knew it would be an instant hit for my entire family and couldn’t wait to tell everyone that there’s a new case for us to solve.
Based on the novel Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, The Sheep Detectives is an easily accessible entry into the genre, blending family-friendly comedy with a twisty tale that will keep both adults and adolescents engaged. Think Charlotte’s Web meets True Detective, with just a hint of Illumination, and you have The Sheep Detectives from director Kyle Balda (The Lorax, Minions). While the story itself, from Craig Mazin (The Last of Us, Chernobyl), is rather simple, it still kept my mother and me on the edge of our seats, whispering our theories as quickly as possible. This film is the coziest mystery you may ever see, giving audiences plenty of warm feelings thanks to a healthy dose of heart and a fun watch you can enjoy multiple times.
Considering taking your family to see The Sheep Detectives? Well, grab that magnifying glass and let’s explore if this latest film from Amazon MGM studios is the right movie for you!
[Warning: spoilers from The Sheep Detectives are below!]
The smartest sheep in town
George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) lives a relatively simple life. As a shepherd, he lives just outside the small English town of Denbrook, and he couldn’t be happier. With nothing but beautiful rolling hills for as far as the eye can see, it’s just him and his herd of sheep. Isolated from the rest of the world, George spends more time than average with his herd, with one of his favorite tasks being reading the flock his collection of murder mystery novels. However…what he doesn’t know is that his sheep love that time together just as much.
While they are a normal herd of sheep for all intents and purposes, these animals are much more than that. Each one has a distinct personality, but also, when The Sheep Detectives switches points of view, you can understand just how intelligent these creatures are, too. Their cognitive abilities rival those of humans, which will really come in handy as they attempt to solve George’s murder.
After the initial shock of his death wears off, these sheep, led by Lily (Julie Louis-Dreyfus), decide it’s up to them to find out who’s behind it. With a wacky cast of human suspects, the herd had quite the job ahead of them. Can they solve George’s murder before they strike again?
The Sheep Detectives is the perfect balance of mystery and heart
While this may be a wild comparison, The Sheep Detectives reminded me a lot of the film The Little Vampire. Bear with me, readers, I promise it’ll all make sense in a second.
I remember watching The Little Vampire quite a few times when I was a child, mostly because my middle sister was obsessed with it. Personally, I was a bit of a scaredy cat, so I would watch it, but only with enough blankets to hide behind. It was scary in some moments, or perhaps intense is a better word, but it was still filled with plenty of light and even more heart. It felt like a stepping stone into the world of PG-13 films and beyond without alienating younger kids.
It’s the same vibe that The Sheep Detectives provides. This is a film that is somewhere between a children’s film and not quite one aimed just for adults. It’s a segue from one world of films to another, bridging a gap that sometimes feels like jumping across a cavern. There’s definitely a huge part of The Sheep Detectives aimed at a young-ish audience, with the talking animals and low-level humor. However, to say this is a children’s film would be a huge disservice to those who were involved in the film, because The Sheep Detectives is so much more than that.
There’s a depth to the story and characters within the film, which you don’t always see in children’s films. The mystery itself is strong; not to brag, but I figured it out within the first half hour or so, and it’s a perfect introduction to the genre for younger generations. The Sheep Detectives also deals with complicated conversations and feelings, not just murder itself. You’re watching these sheep take on human emotions such as grief, as they’re also working on solving the murder at hoof.
While there are some children’s films that do handle feelings and other topics, there’s a good chance they might go over younger children’s heads. What The Sheep Detectives does so well is strike the perfect balance between what adults might expect from a murder-mystery genre and the comedy and heart needed to keep children engaged. As someone in my 30’s, I had an absolute blast watching this film with my family, as everyone, regardless of age, had a fun time without being burdened by drama.
Final thoughts on The Sheep Detectives
This is absolutely the type of film I would have wanted to see when I was growing up. I can picture eight-year-old Brian sitting there with his bag of popcorn and a drink as large as my head, just completely enthralled with the film in front of him. I still tend to watch a lot of children’s films, as I have a slew of nephews of varying ages, and I have to say that The Sheep Detectives is easily one of my favorites from recent years. Unlike so many others, this film has depth, introducing concepts like loss and grief to audiences who might just be learning about them. It’s a film that makes you appreciate what you have and shows audiences that the only thing truly holding you back is yourself.
The Sheep Detectives is exactly what it promised and so much more. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and if you’re like me, you’ll try to be the first to solve the mystery before anyone else. And that’s all I could ask for.
The Sheep Detectives is currently in theaters! Have you gone to see it yet? Are you planning to? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation!
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