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Black Sheep (2007) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Black Sheep (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2007 · 87 min · English
JustWatch #1,381 7
Directed by
Jonathan King
Starring
Nathan Meister, Oliver Driver, Tammy Davis

Upon returning to his family’s farm, Henry Oldfield is troubled by recurring phobias and relies on medication. He soon discovers his estranged brother Angus has been secretly conducting dangerous genetic experiments. When an environmental activist inadvertently releases a mutated lamb, the farm is quickly overrun by bloodthirsty, genetically altered sheep determined to hunt and feed.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Black Sheep
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Black Sheep (2007)

Where can you watch Black Sheep? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Philo, Starz and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Black Sheep Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Black Sheep (2007), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Henry Oldfield (Nathan Meister)

    Henry is an adult struggling with a deep-seated fear of sheep stemming from a traumatic childhood incident. His character embodies vulnerability and courage as he confronts both his past and the literal monsters that arise from it. Despite his fears, he shows growth and resourcefulness throughout the film as he fights against the killer sheep.

    • 🧑‍🦽 Fearful
    • 💪 Resilient
  • Tucker (Tammy Davis)

    Tucker is Henry's loyal friend who provides comic relief and support throughout their harrowing adventure. He is resourceful and brave, often stepping up in dangerous situations. Tucker's character highlights the importance of friendship in the face of chaos, often bringing a humorous twist to their dire circumstances.

    • 😂 Comedic
    • 🛠️ Resourceful
  • Angus (Peter Feeney)

    As the antagonist of the story, Angus is portrayed as a gentleman farmer who is obsessed with breeding the perfect sheep. His reckless ambition leads to disastrous consequences, highlighting themes of greed and the dangers of unchecked scientific exploration. Angus embodies the struggle between man and nature as he confronts the chaos he has unleashed.

    • 🧑‍🌾 Ambitious
    • ⚠️ Reckless

Last updated: May 13, 2025 at 17:29

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Setting

Where and When Does Black Sheep Take Place?

The setting of Black Sheep (2007): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Present day

The story unfolds in the present day, reflecting modern-day issues surrounding genetic engineering and animal rights activism. The characters navigate a world where technology and nature clash dramatically, leading to a chaotic and humorous struggle for survival amidst the bizarre occurrences influenced by Angus' sheep breeding practices.

Location

New Zealand, a farm

The movie takes place on a remote farm in New Zealand, known for its picturesque landscapes and sheep farming. This rural setting serves as a backdrop to a series of bizarre and comedic events stemming from genetic experiments gone wrong. The farm is depicted as both a home and a place of horror, blending the peacefulness of nature with the chaos of mutated animals.

  • 🌄 Rural
  • 🐑 Agriculture

Last updated: May 13, 2025 at 17:29

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3 major themes

Black Sheep Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Black Sheep (2007) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Genetic Mutation

    The theme of genetic mutation is central to the plot, showcasing the consequences of tampering with nature. Angus' genetic engineering leads to the creation of killer sheep, highlighting issues surrounding bioethics and the unpredictability of scientific experimentation. This theme explores the thin line between advancement and disaster in the realm of agriculture.

  • Fear and Trauma

    Fear, particularly Henry's phobia of sheep, plays a significant role in the narrative as it is intertwined with his traumatic past. This theme highlights how past experiences can shape our perceptions and responses to present dangers. The comedic twist serves to illustrate that fear can sometimes be irrational, even in the face of actual horror.

  • Survival

    Themes of survival permeate the film as the characters navigate the perilous situation created by the mutated sheep. The struggle to survive against overwhelming odds leads to unexpected alliances and comedic outcomes, emphasizing resilience and ingenuity. The characters must rely on each other to combat the absurd threat, creating a sense of camaraderie.

Last updated: May 13, 2025 at 17:29

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Character & theme questions

Black Sheep Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Black Sheep (2007): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Black Sheep set?

The movie takes place on a remote farm in New Zealand, depicted as a picturesque rural agricultural setting. This isolated farm serves as both a peaceful home and a place of horror, blending the tranquility of nature with the chaos of mutated animals.

  • new zealand farm
  • setting
  • remote farm
  • rural setting
Q2

When does Black Sheep take place?

The story unfolds in the present day, reflecting modern-day issues surrounding genetic engineering and animal rights activism. The characters navigate a world where technology and nature clash dramatically.

  • present day
  • time period
  • modern setting
Q3

What is the genetic mutation theme in Black Sheep?

The theme of genetic mutation is central to the plot, showcasing the consequences of tampering with nature. Angus' genetic engineering leads to the creation of killer sheep, highlighting issues surrounding bioethics and the unpredictability of scientific experimentation in agriculture.

  • genetic mutation
  • bioethics
  • genetic engineering
  • science
Q4

How does fear play a role in Black Sheep?

Fear, particularly Henry's phobia of sheep, plays a significant role as it stems from a traumatic childhood incident. The theme highlights how past experiences can shape perceptions and responses to present dangers, while the comedic twist illustrates that fear can be irrational even in the face of actual horror.

  • fear
  • trauma
  • phobia
  • psychological horror
Q5

What survival themes are explored in Black Sheep?

Themes of survival permeate the film as characters navigate the perilous situation created by the mutated sheep. The struggle to survive against overwhelming odds leads to unexpected alliances and comedic outcomes, emphasizing resilience and the importance of relying on each other.

  • survival
  • resilience
  • camaraderie
  • alliance
Q6

Who is Henry Oldfield in Black Sheep?

Henry Oldfield is the protagonist who struggles with a deep-seated fear of sheep stemming from a traumatic childhood incident. His character embodies vulnerability and courage as he confronts both his past and the literal monsters that arise from it, showing growth and resourcefulness throughout the film.

  • henry oldfield
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • phobia
Q7

Who is Angus in Black Sheep?

Angus is the antagonist, portrayed as a gentleman farmer obsessed with breeding the perfect sheep through genetic experiments. His reckless ambition leads to disastrous consequences, embodying the dangers of unchecked scientific exploration and the struggle between man and nature.

  • angus
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • genetic experiments
Q8

Who is Tucker in Black Sheep?

Tucker is Henry's loyal friend who provides comic relief and support throughout their adventure. He is resourceful and brave, often stepping up in dangerous situations, highlighting the importance of friendship in facing chaos.

  • tucker
  • supporting character
  • friend
  • comic relief
Q9

What makes the farm setting unique in Black Sheep?

The farm is depicted as both a home and a place of horror, blending the peacefulness of New Zealand's rural countryside with the chaos of genetically mutated animals. This contrast between peaceful agriculture and surreal horror defines the movie's unique tone.

  • farm
  • horror comedy
  • rural
  • new zealand countryside
Q10

What is the relationship between Henry and Angus in Black Sheep?

Henry and Angus are estranged brothers, with Angus conducting secret genetic experiments on the family farm. Their conflict represents the broader theme of man versus nature, as Henry must confront both his brother and the deadly consequences of Angus's scientific ambition.

  • brothers
  • family conflict
  • estranged brothers
  • sibling rivalry

Movie threads

More Movies Like Black Sheep, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Black Sheep tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Frenetic creature features like Black Sheep

Fast-paced horror comedies where absurd monsters cause chaotic, gory mayhem. If you enjoyed the chaotic, gory fun of Black Sheep, you'll love these movies. This list features horror comedies with fast pacing, absurd monsters, and a perfect blend of genuine tension and dark humor. Discover more films where survival against bizarre creatures is a bloody, frantic, and hilarious affair.

  • chaotic
  • gory
  • darkly comedic
  • frenetic
  • absurd
  • tense
  • Tone: dark, comedic, tense
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically begin with a scientific mishap or ancient awakening that unleashes a bizarre threat. The narrative follows a group of characters, often including a reluctant hero and a quirky sidekick, as they attempt to survive and contain the escalating chaos. The structure is straightforward, focusing on a series of creative attacks, narrow escapes, and a final, explosive confrontation.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a specific tonal balance: high-intensity action and gore are consistently undercut by the inherent absurdity of the premise. The shared experience is one of chaotic fun, where the viewer is thrilled by the danger but also amused by the ridiculousness of the situation.

Science-gone-wrong horror like Black Sheep

Stories where arrogant genetic experimentation backfires with monstrous consequences. For viewers who liked the genetic engineering theme in Black Sheep, this list features movies about dangerous experiments backfiring. These stories often blend horror and dark comedy, showing the monstrous results of human hubris. Find similar films where science creates the villain, leading to tense and gory survival scenarios.

  • body horror
  • satirical
  • tense
  • cautionary tale
  • chaotic
  • dark
  • Tone: dark, satirical, tense
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a brilliant but reckless scientist (or corporation) whose experiments spiral out of control. The protagonist often has a personal connection to the creator or the project, adding emotional stakes to the ensuing catastrophe. The plot is driven by the escalating threat of the newly created monster or pathogen, culminating in a desperate struggle to contain the destruction that human arrogance unleashed.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central theme of 'hubris' and a shared narrative structure where the antagonist is a direct result of scientific meddling. The tone often mixes genuine horror with satire, critiquing blind ambition while delivering thrilling, creature-feature action.

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Every angle

Black Sheep (2007) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Black Sheep in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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