When it comes to making movies about the real lives of military veterans, Hollywood tends to struggle with authenticity. But the new movie, “Sheepdog,” from Executive Producers Joe Newcomb (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Brint Ryan (Ryan Media), started with input from actual combat veterans and a list of the nation’s best military-veteran support organizations to accurately portray a veteran’s daily battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Sheepdog” writer and director Steven Grayhm (“Medal of Honor”) plays decorated combat veteran Calvin Cole, who is court-ordered into the care of a VA trauma therapist in-training (Virginia Madsen, “Sideways”), who works the night shift at a local diner to pay for college. Things become even more complicated when Calvin’s father-in-law and retired Vietnam veteran (Vondie Curtis Hall, “Harriet”), shows up on his doorstep, having just been released from prison.
As Calvin’s plan to run away from his life becomes impossible, he learns through the support of his community, tough love, and compassion that he must put himself back together again for his family—and for himself. It’s the first film that explores the physical and psychological repercussions of trauma, with a focus on Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
There is a lot in the movie that some veterans will be able to relate to, just judging by watching the trailer: mistrusting services from the VA, specially-appointed veteran’s treatment courts, and even Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. It’s not hard to see why.
Grayhm helped pioneer the 22 Push-Up Challenge to recognize the magnitude of the veteran suicide epidemic, and it’s safe to say that “Sheepdog” is his magnum opus. The years he spent producing the film were spent ensuring the characters and story were informed by a coalition of veteran-oriented corporate partners and non-profits, like Navy Federal Credit Union, Team RWB, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes, Carry the Load, 22Zero, and more.
“‘Sheepdog’ has been a 14-year journey to the screen, inspired by countless personal testimonials and an unwavering commitment to tell the truth,” Grayhm said in a statement. “The emotional impact that we have witnessed firsthand from our audience, particularly from our veterans, first responders, Gold Star families, mental health professionals, and the communities shaped by their service and sacrifice, has been profoundly moving and deeply humbling. Their response is a powerful reminder that this film is needed now more than ever. If we can save a single life with “Sheepdog,” it will be the greatest Hollywood success story.”
The film won a slew of awards and accolades as it made its way across sold-out film festivals earlier this year, where it won awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and an Audience Award for Best Narrative Film. Lilli Cooper (Broadway’s “Tootsie”), Dominic Fumusa (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi”), and Matt Dallas (“Kyle XY”) round out the acclaimed cast.
Not only did Grayhm hire a number of military veterans and Gold Star family members during the film’s production, he is also partnering with Vet Tix, 1st Tix, and Fandango in support of its Pay-It-Forward campaign to send veterans, first responders, and their families to see the film nationwide in theaters through donated movie tickets.
“Sheepdog” will play in select theaters in December 2025, but opens in theaters nationwide in January 2026. To learn more about the movie, visit the Sheepdog website or check it out on Facebook and Instagram.
