Black Sheep

Black Sheep has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on YouTube TV and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 832 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Nathan Meister sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Put it on tonight on YouTube TV and see for yourself.

Black Sheep arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Black Sheep does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. After a childhood prank by his brother Angus causes Henry to develop a phobia of sheep, he must step up to the onslaught of a genetically-mutated man-eating flock with the help of his friend and a young environmentalist. Nathan Meister and Peter Feeney lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2006. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Black Sheep holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Black Sheep respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Nathan Meister is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.