‘Sheep in the Box’ Review: Kore-eda’s Sweet but Limp Sci-Fi Fable About a 7-Year-Old AI Humanoid
The film 'Sheep in the Box' by Hirokazu Kore-eda presents a gentle sci-fi narrative about a couple who receive a humanoid AI replica of their deceased son. Despite its intriguing premise, the film is criticized for its lack of engagement and depth. Overall, it feels more like a collection of ideas than a cohesive story.
- ▪The film revolves around an architect and her husband who lose their son and later receive an AI replica of him.
- ▪Critics describe the film as sweet but lacking in emotional depth and engagement.
- ▪Kore-eda's previous works have been more impactful, making this film feel less polished in comparison.
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Home Film Reviews May 17, 2026 4:44pm PT ‘Sheep in the Box’ Review: Kore-eda’s Sweet but Limp Sci-Fi Fable About a 7-Year-Old AI Humanoid It's the Japanese director's gentle version of a high-concept tech fairy tale. Except that it mostly just sits there. By Owen Gleiberman Plus Icon Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic @OwenGleiberman Latest ‘Sheep in the Box’ Review: Kore-eda’s Sweet but Limp Sci-Fi Fable About a 7-Year-Old AI Humanoid 10 minutes ago ‘Paper Tiger’ Review: Miles Teller and Adam Driver Get Ensnared by the Russian Mob in a James Gray Film With More Atmosphere Than Plausibility 1 day ago ‘The Beloved’ Review: Javier Bardem Is Powerful as a Filmmaker Directing His Estranged Daughter in Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Making-of-a-Movie Drama 1 day ago See All Courtesy of Neon The Japanese…
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