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Flock of unlikely detectives attempt to crack a village mystery murder
THE SHEEP DETECTIVES is a family mystery-comedy that turns a classic whodunit on its head. Directed by Kyle Balda and written by Craig Mazin, the film follows a flock of sheep who take on the role of detectives after their beloved shepherd, George, is found dead.
George, played by Hugh Jackman, spends his evenings reading crime novels aloud to his sheep, unaware that they understand every word. When he is suddenly killed, the flock applies what they have learnt to investigate his murder.
Their suspects include a mix of villagers, from a butcher with clear motives to a long-lost daughter with secrets of her own. Alongside them are a struggling police officer and an ambitious young reporter, both trying to solve the case for their own reasons.
From flock to detectives
The Sheep Detectives‘ story blends humour with emotional weight. While the premise leans into absurdity, the film explores themes such as grief, memory and belonging.
The sheep themselves each have distinct personalities: Lily, the sharp-minded leader. Mopple, who remembers everything. Zora, endlessly curious.
Their perspective offers a simple but pointed look at human behaviour. The film has a long development history, inspired by Leonie Swann’s novel Three Bags Full.
Producer Lindsay Doran saw its potential nearly two decades ago. Mazin’s adaptation keeps the book’s tone but reshapes it into a story that works for adults and children.
Building the world
Visually, the film mixes live action with highly detailed CGI sheep. The production team studied real animals closely, aiming for realism in movement and behaviour while allowing expressive performances. Actors worked with puppets on set to maintain natural interactions.
Balda, known for animation, brings a structured visual style, using storyboards to map out scenes in detail. The setting of a quiet and enclosed village adds to the tension, echoing traditional mystery stories.
At its core, The Sheep Detectives is about unlikely problem-solvers. The flock may be underestimated, but their loyalty and perspective drive the story forward. It is a light mystery with emotional grounding, built around the idea that insight can come from unexpected places.
The Sheep Detectives comes out in cinemas on May 27.
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