Molly Gordon

The Sheep Detectives (2026): A Flocking Brilliant Family Film

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Sheep Detectives” is directed by Kyle Balda (Minions, Despicable Me 3) and stars Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Real Steel), Nicholas Braun (Zola, Succession), Nicholas Galitzine (Red White & Royal Blue, Cinderella), Molly Gordon (Oh, Hi!, Shiva Baby), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Onward), Bryan Cranston (Godzilla, Breaking Bad), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd), Regina Hall (Little, Think Like a Man), Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation, American Dad!), Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us), Brett Goldstein (The Garfield Movie, Ted Lasso), Hong Chau (Downsizing, The Menu), and Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks, Sense and Sensibility). Based on Leonie Swann’s 2005 novel “Three Bags Full,” this film is about a flock of sheep who try to solve the murder of shepherd (Jackman).

© The sheep detectives

“The Sheep Detectives” had me at Hugh Jackman. Then they showed what his character does, and I refused to miss this movie. That said, for those unfamiliar with the material, do not be fooled, Hugh Jackman’s involvement in “The Sheep Detectives” is minimal, and I knew that, but his presence left me with a solid first impression through what I thought would be a fun family film.

One pleasant surprise about this movie is that it was written by Craig Mazin, whose resume has been… Fascinating to say the least. While I am a little bitter that he is partially responsible for bringing both “Hangover” sequels to life, I will give him credit where it is due, as he is recognized for his success in recent years with HBO. Not only did he write the acclaimed mini-series “Chernobyl,” but he is also involved with “The Last of Us,” which has received rave reviews since its launch in 2023. Mazin knows his stuff.

“The Sheep Detectives” looked moderately funny and charming from the trailers. But color me amazed, because I adore this movie.

Amazon is on a roll right now movie-wise. After releasing “Project Hail Mary” last March, which stands as the best film I have watched in years, “The Sheep Detectives” comes in hot with an experience that is not quite as memorable as “Project Hail Mary,” but much like that movie, I was left with the urge to give this movie a second viewing sometime in the future. Upon watching it, I have talked with family members who heard about the film. One in particular thought it looked stupid. I frankly think they are underestimating what this film is capable of.

After seeing the asinine chore that is “Animal Farm,” it is so fulfilling to see a movie that has fantastic humor. Repeated gags that work and pay off. Memorable and sometimes unpredictable lines. A complete twist on “the chicken crossing the road.” This movie excels when it comes to comedy, and it is perfect for all ages.

“The Sheep Detectives” sort of plays like a more exaggerated Pixar movie. Saying that sounds ironic. After all, “The Sheep Detectives” is live-action, whereas Pixar specializes in animation. But some of the characters, and by that I mean human characters, come off like they belong in a cartoon. When you are making something in live-action, you can only heighten reality to a certain extent, but for whatever reason, this movie sticks the landing in that regard.

© The sheep detectives

This is most evident when showcasing one of the film’s more notable supporting characters, Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), a local policeman who might as well be this universe’s Jar Jar Binks. Although unlike Jar Jar Binks, I thought this character was well written and executed. Derry is not exactly the brightest of bulbs. But it does not mean he isn’t determined to get the job done. To say he is not good at his job is a bit of an exaggeration. In fact, going back to Pixar, his character almost reminds me of Linguini in “Ratatoullie,” who has no business working in his particular field, but allows unusual outside forces to help them improve at their job.

But it is not just the humans who fascinate throughout the movie. The sheep do their part to bring some solid characterization to the table. One of my favorites in the film is Sebastian (Bryan Cranston). The film takes time to unveil Sebastian’s backstory, where he spent time at a petting zoo. The backstory not only deepens the character, but delivers an emotional reaction. Cranston is not the only big name that makes up the film’s talented voice cast. Other actors include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, and Brett Goldstein. That last actor, by the way, voices two sheep, and they are responsible for one of the movie’s most memorable jokes.

This film also taps into how sheep interpret the afterlife, and the film gets creative with that idea. Sort of similar to how some people see themselves going to a better place when they die, the sheep believe that when one of their kind dies, they become a cloud. This is well explained during a giant rainstorm, when one of them says that the sheep are dancing when thunder sounds off.

The film does require a bit of suspension of disbelief. This should not be a surprise when the main characters include talking sheep, but the movie makes me believe in its rules and characters, even if they sometimes come off as unusual. The movie’s characters essentially go against mankind’s typical expectations of sheep. In fact, the characters even address how the “term” sheep is often used as a negative when used to describe certain people.

There are certain parts of this movie that I saw coming. However, I did not necessarily find myself peeved by this film’s occasional predictability. Just about every moment in this movie feels earned. By the time we get to the very end of this film, I felt satisfied with what it had to offer.

What is somewhat out of the ordinary regarding this film is its tone that could have easily clashed, but ends up working. This is a murder mystery, but beyond that, it is a movie about the beauty of life. It is about friendship, community, and appreciating what’s in front of you. The movie perfectly shifts its vibe when it needs to. At one point, it is mysterious and somewhat dark. At another, it is lighthearted and fun. Sometimes it successfully finds a middle ground.

I feel like I was one of the few people in the world who was genuinely looking forward to “The Sheep Detectives.” It is a premise that sounds silly, but I do not particularly mind silly as long as it works, and in this movie’s case, it ended up doing more than just working. I will be thinking about my experience watching this film for a long time. This film came out the same weekend as “Mortal Kombat II,” which I said I would watch again in my review. I would do the same for “The Sheep Detectives.” While I am eager to watch “Mortal Kombat II” by myself so I can laugh myself to death without sounding like a lunatic, “The Sheep Detectives” is a movie that I am just as hopeful to watch with somebody else just to see the look on their face once they realize what they are in for. Please watch this movie. Get some friends or loved ones to watch it with you. If you have kids, check this film out with them. It is a solid gateway murder mystery.

In the end, “The Sheep Detectives” is a stupendously satisfying and incredibly engaging film. Between this film and “Project Hail Mary,” I did not think Amazon would be cranking out the year’s two best pieces of cinema thus far, but here we are. While the film revolves around a murder, it is nevertheless delightfully wholesome. If Pixar started doing live action material, I would have been convinced this film had come from them. It feels like something in their DNA. This is a fantastic film for all ages. Give it a shot. It may surprise you. I am going to give “The Sheep Detectives” an 8/10.

“The Sheep Detectives” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you have not done so already, be sure to check out my latest episode of Movie Requests, the original web series dedicated to yours truly talking about movies recommended by some of your favorite stars. This newest episode features Brian O’Halloran, otherwise known as Dante from “Clerks.” I had a good time checking out his recommendation, “Patton.” Click the video above to see what I thought of it. Leave it a like if you enjoyed it!. And if you want to see more episodes as soon as they drop, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “In the Grey!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” “I Love Boosters,” “Backrooms,” “Masters of the Universe,” “Another World,” and “The Breadwinner.” Yep. That is a list of 7 movies. I clearly have time management skills. If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Sheep Detectives?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a film that you think is better than it deserves to be? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Oh, Hi! (2025): A Surprisingly Relatable Romcom That Features Multiple Relationship Extremes

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Oh, Hi!” is directed by Sophie Brooks and stars Molly Gordon (The Bear, Animal Kingdom), Logan Lerman (Fury, The Hunters), Geraldine Viswanathan (Thunderbolts*, Blockers), and John Reynolds (Search Party, Stranger Things). This film is about a couple who go on their first romantic getaway, only for it to go awry in an unexpected way.

I saw “Oh, Hi!” as part of a double feature. I do not usually partake in double features. In fact, when many people were participating in the infamous “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” trend back in 2023, I saw “Oppenheimer” opening weekend, but waited on “Barbie” for a couple weeks. That said, because of my schedule over one particular weekend, I saw “Oh, Hi!” just minutes after finishing Micahel Shanks’ solid directorial debut “Together.” As I was waiting to watch both movies, I was thinking “Oh, Hi!” could be a nice palette cleanser after some body horror shenanigans, kind of like “Barbie” would have been had I watched it right after “Oppenheimer…” Boy was I wrong.

I often watch movies with my grandma, and this is one I am kind of glad we did not watch together. For the record, the film is quite good. But keep in mind, it is a dark comedy that is probably best watched with, or without, certain people.

I skipped most of the marketing for “Oh, Hi!”, other than catching a random spot on social media every once in a while, so when this film got to the core of the story, I was rather surprised by where it was going. Conceptually, this is a great idea for a movie. The thought of trapping someone to a bed to test romantic compatibility is undoubtedly dark, but the movie handles this narrative with excellence.

This sounds unbelievably stereotypical as a straight white male, but romcoms are not my first choice when it comes to movies. It does not mean they are impossible to enjoy, because “Oh, Hi!” is a blast. It is a romcom worthy of its title. The film is romantic and comedic. I very much felt the spark between its two leads while also having plenty of laughs. This is neither the most romantic or funny movie I have seen, but when it comes to both of those adjectives, I would be lying to say they do not apply to this film. The movie does not hold back on its story either. It is a story that is not only relatable, but does everything to keep you engaged. As the film reached its final ten, fifteen minutes, I was on the edge of my seat.

Much of what makes “Oh, Hi!” work so well is the cast. At the top you have Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman as Iris and Isaac, a completely admirable couple, if you want to call them that. Right below them is Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds as Max (right) and Kenny (left). I was pleasantly surprised to find David Cross make an appearance in the film. He does not play a significant role in the story, but he is charming and funny. In fact, everyone in the film is charming and funny. They all play off each other perfectly. Props to casting, each actor feels well placed in their role.

There is a saying that every story is only as good as its villain. The antagonist of “Oh, Hi!” is by no means evil. There are no world-ending matters in a movie like this.

In fact, while Isaac (left) is most likely “the” antagonist of this film, it does not suggest that Iris (right) is a perfect individual herself. She ends up making some nearly indefensible, dark decisions despite her best intentions. That said, it does not change the fact that both characters are likable.

What makes Isaac in particular likable is his relatability. The film seems to address a common issue that people have in relationships, particularly commitment. The idea of committing to being with someone else for the rest of your life is one of the most daunting decisions you can make. The idea of taking steps in a relationship is scary. The idea of getting married is scary. The idea of being with someone else every day is scary. Nobody knows what the future has in store.

That said, having seen “Oh, Hi!”, I recognize that Isaac is kind of a fool. The way he addresses that he is not looking to be in relationship is so out of the blue to the point where he comes off as a jerk. And if he is not a jerk, he is most certainly stupid. While Isaac is relatable, it is no surprise the script does not always take his side. That said, it is also easy to root for him, especially considering he is tied to a bed for much of the runtime. The movie even points out despite Iris’ best intentions, she is technically kidnapping Isaac. His character is a solid representation of someone who would prefer to keep things casual, and is possibly afraid of taking things to the next level.

Overall, the relationship between Iris and Isaac is beautifully complex. The two seem to like each other and happen to be cute together. But they seem to have different goals in mind. One is in it for the romance, the other seems to be enjoying a short-lived fling. The film may as well be hinting that Isaac cares more about sex than anything else. The two seem to have failed to communicate their wants and needs before taking things further, therefore leading to the movie’s main incident. Either that, or it is possible that Isaac did what he could to impress Iris just to get into bed with her. The movie leaves a little room for interpretation and I appreciate that. If anything that matches the real-life complication of relationships.

Again, the end of this film is fantastic. I think a number of you could predict what happens towards the conclusion as the movie goes along, but it feels earned. The moments leading up to it are sometimes goofy, even for a romantic comedy like this one. But I can forgive it somewhat. If you are looking for a super funny film to watch with a great lead couple, then give “Oh, Hi!” a chance. It deserves some love.

In the end, “Oh, Hi!” came out of nowhere for me, but I ended up loving it. It is a romcom that is by no means disposable. It is a film that made me laugh, and then think. “Oh, Hi!” features an incredible cast of characters, well-written dialogue, and an ending that is truly satisfying. Romcoms are not my genre, but this one in particular stands out to me. I am going to give “Oh, Hi!” an 8/10.

“Oh, Hi!” is now playing in theaters and is also available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Weapons.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Freakier Friday,” “Nobody 2,” and “Honey Don’t!”. If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Oh, Hi!”? What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie you really enjoyed from a genre you typically could not give two craps about? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!