I don’t know why I’m so “suay”, every time there’s a film preview I’m excited about, I somehow fall ill the day before (see POV: I suffered through an almost 3-hour cinematic odyssey while battling stomach flu… but it was glorious | SAFRA). It’s become a running joke at this point. So as I stared at my ticket for The Sheep Detectives, battling rising nausea and a running fever, I genuinely wondered if I should just stay home. But then I thought: it’s a feel-good comedy. Surely it should, well… make me feel good, right?
Turns out, that gamble paid off.
The premise is as charming as it is quirky: when a beloved shepherd (played with warmth by Hugh Jackman) is found mysteriously dead, his flock of unusually intelligent sheep take it upon themselves to solve the case. Yes, you read that right, this is a full-fledged whodunnit, just… woollier. Led by the sharp-minded Lily and the hilariously forgetful Mopple, who, ironically, is the only sheep who can’t forget anything — the flock pieces together clues, debates suspects, and occasionally gets distracted by existential thoughts (and clouds… lots of clouds).
Visually, many have drawn comparisons to that other famous farmhouse film featuring talking animals Babe, and it’s easy to see why. There’s that same rustic charm, that same anthropomorphic warmth, but here, it’s dialled up with a surreal comedic twist. Sheep forget things in the count of three. Sheep think they don’t die but instead turn into clouds. There’s even a very funny moment about a chicken crossing the road that had the whole theatre bursting out in laughter.
The human cast leans into delightful caricature. Nicholas Braun plays the bumbling police officer with just the right amount of incompetence, while Elliot Matthews brings curious energy as the visiting reporter. But the real scene-stealer? Emma Thompson as the razor-sharp (and unexpectedly hilarious) lawyer — every line she delivers lands with precision.
Still, the true stars are undeniably the sheep. Voiced by an incredible ensemble including Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the earnest Lily, Chris O’Dowd as the scene-stealing Mopple, Bryan Cranston as the brave Sebastian, and Patrick Stewart as the dignified Sir Richfield, their banter is fast, witty, and consistently laugh-out-loud funny. It’s rare for an animated ensemble to feel this alive, but here, every character has a distinct voice, personality, and comedic rhythm.
And yet, beneath all the fluff (pun fully intended), the film carries surprising emotional weight. Themes of memory, grief, and loss are gently woven into the story, culminating in a quietly poignant message: sometimes, it’s the memories we hold onto that keep our loved ones alive. It’s a line that lingers long after the credits roll, right alongside the laughter.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper mystery without a twist, and The Sheep Detectives keeps you guessing till the very end. The reveal is both unexpected and satisfying, rewarding viewers who paid attention while still managing to surprise.
So, did I feel better after stepping out of the theatre? Physically… not quite. But mentally? Absolutely. Somewhere between the sheep attempting to cross the road and Mopple’s perfectly timed one-liners, I found myself laughing… a lot. And honestly, after watching The Sheep Detectives, I kind of believe it: maybe laughter really can cure everything and make us feel better.
The Sheep Detectives opens in theatres on 7 May. Click here for more information and to book tickets.
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