The Sheep Detectives (Christian Movie Review)

With an amusing concept, a soothingly gentle tone, and a ton of heart, The Sheep Detectives is an irresistibly charming tale for the whole family.

About the Film 

Murder! The Sheep Detectives is a love letter to the classic “whodunit” mystery stories of Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Edgar Allen Poe, and others. The obvious difference is that (as the title implies) the detectives are, in fact, sheep. A murder mystery—particularly one in which death is treated with actual weigh—may seem an odd vehicle for a family film, but the movie’s blend of a quirky premise, loveable characters, and mature moral lessons proves otherwise. With an amusing concept, a soothingly gentle tone, and a ton of heart, The Sheep Detectives is an irresistibly charming tale for the whole family.  

There has been a movement in recent years—championed by people like director Guillermo del Toro—to affirm that animated stories are not “just for kids.” I wholeheartedly agree, but perhaps a parallel reminder is also needed that live action films are not “just for adults.” So-called “family films” are frequently just animated movies made for kids that dutiful parents are invited to sit through, too. A film that can appeal to both adults and children without necessarily catering to either demographic, The Sheep Detectives is a family film in the truest sense. There are cute animals, but no obnoxious potty jokes or slapstick humor; silly hijinks and adventures, but also mature explorations of mortality and grief.

From the opening establishing shots, there is a noticeable calmness to the tone and pacing. The film embodies the simple, unhurried lifestyle of its central shepherd character (played by Hugh Jackman). For better or worse (and I believe for better), The Sheep Detectives never appears in a hurry to tell its story. I kept waiting for the action to inevitably pick up with a more bombastic third act climax, but it never happens. The film remains calm and even keeled from start to finish. It may prove to be a little too methodically paced to keep some younger viewers fully engaged and lacks the “wow” factor of other films. But much like reading a classic novel, before the age of smartphones and constant stimuli, I found it refreshing to have a story told to me in a soothing voice rather than an attention-seeking shout.

The actual murder mystery plot is arguably the least compelling part of the story. It’s fun at times, and audiences will likely enjoy trying to pinpoint the true culprit. But, the deducing of the murderer doesn’t feel entirely earned, and there is too great of a lack of clues to be able to piece together truth on your own, making viewers more a passive observer than an active participant.

At the same time, the film isn’t really about the murder, it is about the sheep. The shocking death of their beloved shepherd pulls them into a wider and more complicated world as they confront difficult realities of mortality, good and evil, their own prejudices, and yes, even God (the actual Biblical God, not an imagined wool-covered deity). There is an intriguing spiritual throughline to the film, although Christians may differ on whether they find the film’s handling of religion and church to be positive or negative (I think positive, but see “themes” section below).

In the end, The Sheep Detectives is a refreshing counterbalance to much of the usual “family film” fodder coming out of Hollywood these days and the hyper-charged, stimuli-overload of movies like the Minions (even though the same director, Kyle Balda, directed both this film and the Despicable Me universe of movies). The Sheep Detectives is not a rousing crowd pleaser or likely to be one of the most memorable films your family sees in a theater this year. Its understated and simple vibe may not be what some families are looking for in a fun outing to the movie theater. However, it is a meaningful story told with an abundance of heart, presented with a soothing and mature style and the type of “family film” that Hollywood needs more of.

Good Shepherds and Loving Flocks

In the Bible, Jesus often used the metaphor of shepherds and sheep to illustrate his relationship with the church. That readymade metaphor is directly explored in The Sheep Defectives. Notably, there is a rival shepherd and also a local priest among the murder suspects, and when a clue points toward a “bad shepherd,” it ultimately indicates the spiritual shepherd rather than the literal one.

There is a humorous moment in which the sheep walk through the church grounds, and one sheep tries to explain God to the other. God is a shepherd, but also a lamb. He also “damns people”, but this only leads the other sheep to assume God must be giant beaver. God is invisible, but he is also bread, and people eat him every Sunday, says the one sheep to his increasingly confused friend. Some viewers may feel this dialogue makes light of God or equates faith in him with nonsense, but I found the honest questions endearing.

Hugh Jackman’s character is not on friendly terms with the church and doesn’t appear to be a religious man himself, and the physical institution of the church is not always shown in a positive light. But at a more personal level, the film also explores what it means to be a loving flock. As is sheep custom, the flock shuns “winter lambs” as outsiders and a “winter lamb” becomes a stand-in for unfounded and sinful prejudice. The result is some powerful imagery of a loving shepherd setting an example for how the flock should also love, echoing the words of Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

Like the simple sheep in the film, young audiences may not be able to grasp all the intricacies of theology and doctrine, but they can be inspired to love the outcasted and needy and welcome them into the flock.