In a year filled with highly anticipated blockbuster movies such as Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three, and The Odyssey, some films are bound to slip through the cracks of viewers’ watchlists due to hype. It would almost be a crime to let that happen to the new family murder-mystery film, The Sheep Detectives.

Based on the German novel titled “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann, The Sheep Detectives, released on May 8, delivers a witty and refreshingly entertaining family-friendly whodunit packed with mystery, comedy, and heartfelt emotion, resulting in a charming adventure fit for the whole family.

The story revolves around a shepherd named George Hardy who shares an unbreakable bond with his sheep, spending his evenings reading them murder mysteries even though he doesn’t think they can understand him. When George is mysteriously found dead, the case is left up to a clumsy policeman and a young journalist looking for his big break. With five suspects and a sense that the policeman is way out of his depth, an unlikely group of four-legged detectives uses their murder mystery knowledge to take it upon themselves to find the truth behind Hardy’s death. 

As the film’s 109 minutes unfold, viewers are treated to a layered, yet easy-to-follow plot that feels like a game of Clue set in an English village. While the film is geared towards children, the story captures audiences of all ages by guiding them through the different elements of the case. Along the way, the film develops the sheep’s detective skills, the lessons they learn, and different characteristics and relationships between the characters, such as George Hardy and the sheep, the policeman, and the suspects, while gradually following the development of a murder mystery through subtle clues, motives, and the development of suspects.  

This simple plot with a complex delivery and an engaging story is what makes this movie so special. At the heart of the film, it’s more than solving a murder; it carries heavy and real themes such as bullying, death, the need for belonging, and love. 

Throughout the film, when the flock doesn’t want to face the difficult truth about something, they close their eyes, count down, and magically forget it happened. All of them have this ability except one sheep, who is “cursed” with the ability to always remember. This presents a clear metaphor for avoidance or denial. If you can’t remember it, it didn’t happen, and you don’t have to face it, especially if it is painful. But as the story progresses, they learn that even though they have lost their shepherd, they never want to forget him, and that memories of the good times help you process the pain of losing something or someone dear.

The sheep don’t believe in death, instead believing that they turn into clouds. While this isn’t an inherently sad film, its ability to build attachment to the sheep and emotionally engage the audience produces a powerful impact that I’ll unashamedly admit led me to shed a couple of tears. 

With the great strength of tying into viewers’ emotions, another main strength is its humor. The film is packed with different comedic moments and references, such as the sheep struggling to cross the road and a chicken passing them. 

A film about sheep detectives might seem unrealistic to many, but a mix of live action cast and CGI sheep blends the line between reality and fiction. In production, the use of puppets, reference sheep, and CGI creates realism and emotion in actors, which is seen on screen throughout the film. 

The film features big names such as Hugh Jackman, Bryan Cranston, Nicholas Galitzine, Emma Thompson, and more. Along with the star-studded cast, the film comes from the masterful direction of Kyle Balda, known for co-directing Illumination Films such as Minions, Minions: Rise of Gru, and The Lorax. Balda’s expertise with family films brings a fun mix, weaving emotionally weighty subjects such as life and death, belonging and accountability, with wry puns and humor.

The story soars in keeping audiences engaged, but with multiple developing stories at once, it can occasionally feel a little slow. However, as the sheep uncover more clues and stories start to fully blossom, the journey gets increasingly rewarding for viewers.

The Sheep Detectives bring a new breed of murder mystery that engages the whole family, and will leave “ewe” with a smile and a sense of satisfaction in enjoying a well-told story.