Black Sheep
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
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  1. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    78
    It's smart; it's silly; it's – kill me now – shear terror.
  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Andrea Gronvall
    30
    Stunning vistas of New Zealand's rolling countryside aren't enough to carry this lame 2006 horror spoof.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    50
    I did like seeing the (fakey-looking) sheep take flying neck-high leaps at various human throats, in scenes recalling the killer rabbit in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." And I enjoyed the Kiwi dialects. And I suspect King's next film will be better.
  4. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    50
    Unfortunately, Black Sheep takes so long to get going and misses so many easy opportunities for classic comedy it has to be regarded as a noble failure.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Sam Adams
    70
    The cast, including Tammy Davis as a handyman and Glenis Levestam as a housekeeper with a taste for innards, hits its marks flawlessly, even when the material isn't first-rate. Like "Shaun of the Dead," Black Sheep is at once exhilarating and self-deprecating, knowledgeable without being fannish, clever but not too clever.
  6. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    63
    Both the humor and horror are as broad as the side of the Oldfields' barn, but King and the cast are clearly having fun.
  7. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    63
    This is a one-joke skit that trots in a straight line, and your enjoyment of it will depend entirely on how many times you need to see gonzo sheep rip out human entrails.
  8. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    75
    It manages the weird feat of making a flock of sheep bounding across a meadow seem vaguely menacing.
  9. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Eric Alt
    75
    You'll laugh, you'll groan, you'll never buy wool again.
  10. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    70
    Jolly good fun.
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    75
    Never very frightening, but it's clever and fun, with a memorable amount of humor and gore.
  12. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    50
    The gold standard for the modern monster movie remains "Tremors," which combines genuine thrills with clever plot twists and distinctive characters. By contrast, Black Sheep has a bunch of one-note living jokes running around willy-nilly while being chased by killer sheep.
  13. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Luke Sader
    70
    A giddily subversive addition to the age-old cinema tradition of the horror comedy.
  14. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    70
    Once you have seen a sheep munching on a bloody human leg, you may think twice about your next leg of lamb. On the other hand maybe you'll be inspired to seek vengeance. To provoke one of these responses -- vegetarianism or a defiant meat eating -- may be the point of this odd, amusing film.
  15. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    75
    Horror buffs in search of a fresh take on the usual grue should embrace it wholeheartedly.
  16. Variety
    Reviewed by: Jay Weissberg
    70
    Endearingly amusing horror pic.
  17. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jim Ridley
    70
    The cartoonish overkill that often makes Black Sheep a hoot proves wearying over an entire movie: The broad comedy and one-note characters eventually cancel out the horror, leaving elaborate set pieces that are more frantic than funny.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. ILHM
    7
    Henry returns to the family farm to overcome his fear of sheep after a traumatic childhood incident, but he and several other unlucky visitors must fight to survive when the genetically-altered flock turns on their masters! The outrageous horror comedy BLACK SHEEP scores big laughs with its absurd stance against biological engineering. No one is safe when writer/director Jonathan King makes the self-righteous environmentalists out to look just as foolish as the careless scientists. With the award-winning WETA Workshop assigned to the film, one can only expect the best out of the special effects department, and they deliver. The sheep look incredibly realistic as they just obliterate everything in their path, tearing off flesh and ripping the guts out of each of their victims in a hilarious display of comic gore that calls back to New Zealand's other famous Horror film, DEAD ALIVE. Unsurprisingly, the characters and plot quickly lose focus when faced with the ridiculous antics occurring on screen. Although the overall silliness does begin to wear by the third act, BLACK SHEEP is still a wildly entertaining film that creature fans are sure to enjoy.

    -Carl Manes
    I Like Horror Movies    … Full Review »
  2. ballpark_frank
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I really enjoyed this twist on the standard 'zombie' genre film. Also, being set in New Zealand, it almost made more sense (no offense intended). When you combine a fear of sheep, genetically altered 'zombie sheep', the classic "those scientists don't know what they're doing" activists, and an outstanding trailer, which includes a scene where the villain (Angus) is standing in a room, sounds of sheep bleeting, his pants apparently down around his ankles, and responding to the question "What are you DOING?" with the excellent response: "You wouldn't understand", the circle is complete. And, either intentionally or accidentally, some scenes paid tribute to other movies. I was reminded of the schoolhouse scene in "The Birds", "The Great Escape," when Charles Bronson freezes in the tunnel. And, of course, the original "Night of the Living Dead." One might also think of "An American Werewolf in London.". The language is quite crude (though, considering what's happening, completely appropriate), and the subtext (which reminds me of "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", when they're riding with the 'sheep lover') isn't exactly appropriate for the younger crowd. Still, I found this quite fun.… Full Review »
  3. ScarTissue1990
    1
    I usually give movies more than 4 chances in redeeming my respect, but this film is terrible. I watch movies with an open mind but, this is just terrible. The acting is one of the main reasons why I don't like this film..… Full Review »
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