Sheep in the Box: Hirokazu Kore-eda’s AI-Driven Grief Drama Debuts at Cannes

“Sheep in the Box” premiered in competition at Cannes on May 16, 2026, at the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Reports note a standing ovation of either 3.5 minutes (Variety) or five minutes (The Hollywood Reporter). The story follows architect Otone Komoto (Haruka Ayase) and carpenter Kensuke Komoto (Daigo Yamamoto) who accept a REbirth humanoid modeled on their deceased seven-year-old son Kakeru. The robot functions as an AI-generated child surrogate for the grieving couple.

The Wrap

Hirokazu Kore-eda presents his 17th feature, his first near-future sci-fi entry. He has competed at Cannes since “Nobody Knows” (2004) and has earned the Jury Prize (“Like Father, Like Son,” 2013), the Palme d’Or (“Shoplifters,” 2018), the Ecumenical Jury prize (“Broker,” 2022) and Best Screenplay (“Monster,” 2023).

Variety Magazine

The film stars Haruka Ayase, Daigo Yamamoto, and newcomer Rimu Kuwaki as the humanoid Kakeru. Ryûto Kondô handles cinematography, Yuta Bandoh composes the score, and the runtime is 126 minutes. Toho releases the film in Japan (May 29) and Neon will distribute it in the United States later in 2026.

Deadline Hollywood

REbirth reports about 3,000 active humanoid users in Japan. The film runs 126 minutes. Reported standing-ovation length varies between 3.5 and five minutes. The trial is described as “complimentary.”

Deadline Hollywood

Cannes audiences gave sustained applause; Variety noted “warm but not sustained” applause and highlighted James Franco’s enthusiastic clapping. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney called the film a “must see.” TheWrap praised the visual contrast of technology, nature and humanity as a thematic anchor.

Variety Magazine

IndieWire called the drama “emotionally stunted,” while The Hollywood Reporter described it as “treacly and insubstantial.” SCMP gave a 3/5 rating and criticized the film’s “sprawling” messaging and inconsistent characters.

South China Morning Post

Standing-ovation length is reported as 3.5 minutes (Variety) or five minutes (Hollywood Reporter). Critical scores range from IndieWire’s B- to SCMP’s 3/5, with no consensus rating.

Deadline Hollywood

• “They’re hyenas,” he says, “cashing in on misfortune.” — Kensuke Komoto

Deadline Hollywood

• “Mama, I’m home.” — Humanoid Kakeru

Hollywood Reporter

• “It’s a Tamagotchi,” he scowls. “It’s a Roomba.” — Kensuke Komoto

Deadline Hollywood

• “I play a humanoid who looks exactly like their child, who died in an accident,” — Rimu Kuwaki (interview)

Deadline Hollywood

Neon will release the film theatrically in the United States later in 2026. The title is also being positioned for awards consideration, including potential Oscar eligibility under revised International Feature rules.

IndieWire