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Crime thriller

Sheep Without a Shepherd (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Sheep Without a Shepherd (2019) movie poster

Sheep Without a Shepherd is a 2019 crime thriller directed by Boon-lip Quah, starring Tan Zhuo as A Yu, Audrey Hui and Zhang Xiran. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $191.6 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 84/100.

worldwide gross
$191.6M
Echo Score
84
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Sheep Without a Shepherd (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Boon-lip Quah
Genres
Crime , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
Chinese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sheep Without a Shepherd About?

The premise of Sheep Without a Shepherd without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Li and his wife A Yu lead a peaceful life in Thailand with their two daughters. Their world is shattered when their eldest daughter is assaulted and blackmailed by a student. Determined to protect her, the parents confront the perpetrator, leading to an unexpected death. Now, they must desperately conceal the body and erase all evidence of the incident, attempting to bury the secret and the boy’s existence to protect their family.

Sheep Without a Shepherd Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • investigation
  • hidden corpse
  • police brutality
  • cinephile
  • chinese in thailand
  • alibi
  • police chief
  • rape victim
  • missing person
  • father daughter relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • rape
+33 more
  • chinese
  • thailand
  • husband wife relationship
  • family relationships
  • accidental killing
  • missing son
  • mother daughter relationship
  • yellow car
  • teenager
  • police investigation
  • interrogation
  • arrest
  • spoiled son
  • female police chief
  • bad cop
  • protecting one's family
  • father
  • mother
  • daughter
  • son
  • thai police
  • arranging an alibi
  • false alibi
  • daughter raped
  • class differences
  • political campaign
  • police abuse
  • abuse of power
  • teenage rape
  • teenage daughter
  • blackmail
  • missing person investigation
  • man
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Cast & crew

Sheep Without a Shepherd Cast & Characters

Tan Zhuo leads the cast as A Yu, with Audrey Hui as Ping Ping and Zhang Xiran as An An. Directed by Boon-lip Quah; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sheep Without a Shepherd

· 6 more
From the director

More from Boon-lip Quah

More films directed by Boon-lip Quah: A Place Called Silence, A Place Called Silence and The Free Man.

Full filmography
Ratings

Sheep Without a Shepherd Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in sensory experience (72).

84 /100

Sheep Without a Shepherd Echo Score Breakdown

Sheep Without a Shepherd delivers a consistently engaging thriller that leverages strong direction and performances to sustain momentum throughout its twist‑laden narrative. Critics highlighted the film’s stylized visual approach, layered plotting, and effective character dynamics, while the sole user review echoed the same enthusiasm for its suspense and emotional resonance. Although sensory elements receive fewer specific mentions, the overall package is cohesive enough to merit repeat viewings, resulting in a markedly positive reception.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film is praised for its stylized direction and inventive editing. Reviewers note the director’s adept handling of suspense and the niftier editing that elevates the screenplay. Visual design is described as vivid enough to support the thriller’s tone, yielding a high craft rating.

  • Character & Emotion 84

    Regarding character and emotion, performances receive strong commendation. Both Joan Chen and Xiao Yang are described as delivering nuanced, compelling portrayals that anchor the story’s moral complexity. The chemistry between leads and the emotional weight of their roles are cited as key factors that enhance audience investment, leading to a robust character score.

  • Story & Flow 78

    The story and flow are identified as a core strength, with a multilayered, fast‑paced plot that maintains high emotional stakes. Critics emphasize the intricate cat‑and‑mouse structure and effective twists, though they acknowledge a need for significant suspension of belief. Overall, the narrative’s originality and engagement are viewed positively.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    Sensory experience receives moderate praise; the film’s stylized visual palette and occasional flourishes are noted, yet specific commentary on soundtrack or sound design is limited. The visual style aligns with the thriller’s tone, supporting immersion, but the lack of detailed sensory feedback keeps the score in the upper‑mid range.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    Rewatch factor is highlighted by reviewers who found the movie entertaining and enjoyable on subsequent viewings. The blend of action, humor, and suspense, coupled with strong performances, suggests lasting appeal and a desire to experience the twists again, resulting in a high rewatch potential rating.

Plot

Sheep Without a Shepherd Plot Summary

What happens in Sheep Without a Shepherd from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In northern Thailand, Weijie, an internet technician, lives with his wife Ayu and their two daughters Ping Ping and An An, enjoying a comfortable middle-class life. Their routine is steady until a grievous betrayal enters their world: Ping Ping is sexually assaulted at a summer camp by Su Cha, the son of mayor Du Peng and his wife, police chief La Wen. The assault becomes a weapon of manipulation, as Su Cha attempts to extract further sexual favors from Ping Ping.

Full summary

The whole story of Sheep Without a Shepherd, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Sheep Without a Shepherd Box Office

Sheep Without a Shepherd grossed $191.6 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$191.6M

International
$191.6M
Videos

Sheep Without a Shepherd Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Sheep Without a Shepherd.

《误杀》Sheep Without A Shepherd Official SG Trailer | In Cinemas 9 January 2020
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sheep Without a Shepherd?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the profession of Li Weijie, the family patriarch?

Details

Sheep Without a Shepherd Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “误杀瞒天记中国版” and “Visual”.

Also known as
  • 误杀瞒天记中国版
  • Visual
  • 무죄가족
  • Wu sha
  • 오살
  • 誤殺
  • Oveja sin pastor
  • Ngộ Sát
  • 共謀家族
  • แพะรับบาป

Seen Sheep Without a Shepherd?

FAQ

Sheep Without a Shepherd FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Sheep Without a Shepherd, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sheep Without a Shepherd?

Sheep Without a Shepherd runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Sheep Without a Shepherd released?

Sheep Without a Shepherd was released on December 13, 2019.

Who directed Sheep Without a Shepherd?

Sheep Without a Shepherd was directed by Boon-lip Quah.

More films by Boon-lip Quah

Who is in the cast of Sheep Without a Shepherd?

Sheep Without a Shepherd stars Tan Zhuo as A Yu, Audrey Hui as Ping Ping and Zhang Xiran as An An, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Sheep Without a Shepherd make at the box office?

Sheep Without a Shepherd grossed $191.6 million worldwide.

Does Sheep Without a Shepherd have a post-credit scene?

No. Sheep Without a Shepherd has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Sheep Without a Shepherd in?

The original language of Sheep Without a Shepherd is Chinese.

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