The Sheep Detectives

Director: Kyle Balda

George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd, who loves his sheep, he cares for them, names them and even reads them murder mystery stories every night. But when he dies, initially local policeman Tim (Nicholas Braun) believes it’s a heart attack, but not everyone is convinced, including a visiting reporter, Elliot (Nicholas Galitzine), and, most importantly, George’s Sheep! With the local police stumped, George’s crime novel loving sheep decide to tackle the investigation themselves. Led by the smart Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), wise Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) and loner leader of the flock, Sebastian (Bryan Cranston), the sheep head into town, to find the clues and hunt down George’s killer.

If like me, you love the quirky murder mystery format, but felt what was missing was four legged woolly sleuths, then this is the film for you, a new genre, a Ewe done it, if you will.

While it is as silly as they come, it is delivered with such heart and charm that you can’t fail to be carried along with its wool based storyline. The story itself, follows a literal text book murder mystery approach, but the mystery is fun enough to keep you engaged and the reveal stands up well.

Performances both human and ovine are well done. Hugh Jackman alongside Nicholas Braun’s seemingly happless policeman and Molly Gordon as George’s estranged daughter are the human heart. They are well supported by Galitzine, Emma Thompson and Tosin Cole, amongst others who make up the rogues gallery of suspects. The voice actors are well cast with Julia Louis-dreyfuss, O’Dowd and Cranston backed by the lines of Brett Goldstein, Regina Hall and Patrick Stewart among the sleuthing flock. Everyone building a “cosy crime” world that you enjoy being part of.

In the end, this may not be doing anything earth shattering, but it takes its silly premise and delivers a wonderfully fun 110 minutes, full of heart and humour. Here’s to more sheep-led detective stories.