STACK #262 August 2026

MOVIE FEATURE

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DYK: Leonie Swann has written two sequels to her bestselling novel Three Bags Full . The first, Big Bad Wool , is a werewolf-themed mystery, while the second, released this year in German as Widdersehen , is yet to receive an official English title.

AN EWE-DUNNIT! THE SHEEP DETECTIVES GENRE: Comedy mystery RUN TIME: 1h 50m German author Leonie Swann’s hit 2005 novel Three Bags Full has been transformed into the charming British mystery The Sheep Detectives .

Right: Hugh Jackman Below: Emma Thompson

H ugh Jackman stars as George, a kind hearted shepherd who reads detective stories to his flock each night, never imagining they understand every word. But when a mysterious incident rocks the farm, the sheep decide to put their knowledge to the test, following clues and investigating suspects in an unlikely quest to solve the case. The result is a playful family film that blends comedy, mystery, and plenty of heart, making it an enjoyable watch for audiences of all ages. Jackman was immediately drawn to the script. “Comedy without heart isn’t satisfying. It wears thin. This story is full of heart. That’s what audiences want: to be moved, to be surprised, to be transported.” Although the Australian star briefly worked on a sheep farm in his youth, he came to the project with limited experience. During filming, however, he developed a genuine affection for

his woolly co-stars, thanks in part to the remarkably lifelike puppets used on set. “George is a fierce protector who refuses to harm his sheep,” says Jackman. “None of them will end up on your dinner plate, but their wool

Joining Jackman is an impressive cast including Emma Thompson, Bryan Cranston, Rhys Darby, Bella Ramsay, Nicholas Braun, and Hong Chau. For director Kyle Balda,

the experience left a lasting impression. “I’ll definitely never see sheep the same way again. One thing that really

might keep you warm. I’ve played superheroes before, but George is a different kind of hero.” While the sheep weren't real,

Jackman says performing alongside them felt surprisingly natural. “I’m used to acting with tennis balls on sticks, but this was so much more. I got to perform opposite incredibly lifelike puppets, operated by Tom Wilton, a brilliant puppeteer and actor. Honestly, it felt like the sheep were talking to me.”

surprised me while researching was just how many varieties of

sheep there are. There are actually more varieties of sheep than dogs, which is incredible.” Gill Pringle

• The Sheep Detectives is out Aug 26

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Babe, Knives Out, Paddington 2, Detective Pikachu, Stuart Little

WHAT LURKS BELOW? BONE KEEPER GENRE: Horror RUN TIME: 1h 30m Creature features and monster movies are a dime a dozen, but when they're done well, they're pure entertainment. Bone Keeper is one such film, delivering well-executed horror that's as thrilling as it is intriguing.

Above: John Rhys-Davies Inset: Louis James and Sarah Alexandra Marks

”E very single bit of it was on location,” explains lead actress Sarah Alexandra Marks. ”It’s as real as it gets. Those caves are real, they’re dark, they’re dingy, freezing cold. There was no comfortable green screen there whatsoever.” ”The crew all caught what we called Cave Lung within the first 24 hours,” adds Louis James, the film’s second lead and Marks’ real-life partner. ”Everyone was coughing and spluttering. It’s one thing being down there in the caves, but it’s another thing getting down there with the kits and the props.” Bone Keeper is a subterranean horror tale centred on a notorious cave system linked to decades of missing persons cases. The story follows a group of friends who venture

underground searching for one of their mothers, who vanished while investigating the cave’s dark mythology. More than a straightforward fright flick, Bone Keeper blends creature horror with mystery and adventure. That mythology is strengthened by the presence of screen icon John Rhys-Davies as a reclusive researcher, shunned by the locals and convinced something lurks beneath the earth. Marks and James were closely involved in the film’s development alongside director Howard J. Ford, making the casting of Rhys-Davies especially rewarding. ”We had already written his character and I was picturing those scenes and the gravitas he brings to it,” says James. ”I thought what’s

really going to help get this movie out is John. And he did a fantastic job.” ”He is amazing,” adds Marks. ”His voice is just another level of epicness. He carries so

much weight as well, doesn’t he? And he’s such a lovely guy to be around.” With its immersive locations, convincing mythology, and memorable creature work, Bone Keeper proves there’s still plenty of life left in the creature feature. Glenn Cochrane

• Bone Keeper is out Aug 12

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

As Above So Below, The Thing, It Feeds, A Quiet Place, The Mist

10 AUGUST 2026

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