Hirokazu Koreeda’s latest film, “Sheep in the Box,” surprised many by being a more emotional restraint than his previous works. The story revolves around a couple coping with the loss of their son, Kakeru, who died in an accident two years prior. They navigate their grief by adopting an AI humanoid that resembles the child they lost. However, unlike Koreeda’s earlier films, this one feels less about feelings and more about how we sometimes avoid them.
The couple, Kensuke and Otone, appear to have moved forward in their lives. Otone designs beautiful homes during the day, and Kensuke enjoys baseball games with friends at night. While they are grieving, they have found some acceptance. Their lives take a turn when a company offers a free trial for an AI model of their son, which they agree to try despite their initial reservations.
This robo-Kakeru isn’t much like the AI in Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence.” He’s not designed to express deep emotions but is more like a presence to fill the void left by Kakeru. Kensuke views him as a mere gadget, while Otone uses this opportunity to revisit memories and confront feelings she has buried. This dynamic raises questions about how technology interacts with our emotions and relationships.
One captivating scene involves Otone reading “The Little Prince” to the AI, emphasizing themes of imagination and loss. The film critiques our growing dependence on technology to address our emotional needs, suggesting that there’s value in facing our pain rather than outsourcing it.
Interestingly, in recent studies, over 60% of people have reported feeling detached due to technology. This resonates with the film’s themes, highlighting how reliance on AI might impact genuine human connections. As we become more comfortable with technology, we risk losing essential parts of our humanity and our capacity to grieve effectively.
Throughout “Sheep in the Box,” the couple’s journey with the AI leads to an exploration of their own humanity. As Kakeru’s AI starts to take on a semblance of agency, the lines blur regarding who controls what. This reflects a trend in society where people often feel more like machines in a world driven by convenience and efficiency, echoing sentiments from literature like Kurt Vonnegut’s “Player Piano.”
In the end, Koreeda’s film stands as a delicate look at grief and the future. It suggests that while technology may offer comfort, it cannot replace the importance of memory and imagination in our lives. “Sheep in the Box” might not deliver the gut-wrenching emotional punch many expected, but it invites viewers to reflect on how relationships adapt in an increasingly artificial world.
Overall, “Sheep in the Box” has received a mixed reception since its premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The blend of hope and melancholy invites ongoing conversations about humanity’s relationship with AI, and whether we can truly find closure in a digital landscape.
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