Director Hirokazu Kore-eda will release his new film, "Sheep in a Box," in South Korean cinemas on June 10 [1].
The film marks a departure into science fiction for the acclaimed director, using a humanoid robot to examine the fragility of human grief. By contrasting a theoretical utopia with the imperfections of reality, the story explores whether artificial intelligence can truly fill the emotional void left by a deceased loved one.
The narrative centers on a family that employs a humanoid to replace a son who died [1]. Through this premise, Kore-eda explores the distinct differences between human emotion and the programmed responses of AI [1]. The project previously gained international attention after entering the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 [2].
During a discussion about the creative process, Kore-eda said he addressed the development of the script. He said that while some advice suggested deepening the presence of the mother's role to improve the screenplay, he did not find those specific suggestions to be entertaining [3].
Kore-eda said, "I praised it very much. He gave me advice that the script could be better if we dig deeper into the presence of the mother's role. All the advice is correct, but I did not feel that this was interesting" [3].
The film arrives as part of a growing cinematic trend analyzing the ethics of digital resurrection, and the psychological impact of AI companionship. By focusing on the "incomplete" nature of reality, the director seeks to highlight the value of authentic human experience over synthetic perfection [1].
“A humanoid robot to examine the fragility of human grief.”
The release of 'Sheep in a Box' reflects a shift in Kore-eda's thematic exploration from traditional family sociology to speculative fiction. By utilizing a humanoid surrogate, the film moves the conversation about grief from the biological to the technological, questioning if the 'perfection' of AI is an obstacle to the genuine process of mourning.
