A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Positive Messages
very little
There are some power-hungry, murderous villains on the loose in London, and the city itself is presented as a fairly brutal, gritty environment. But the film also celebrates Holmes' eccentric genius and his close friendship with Watson. Though he's a cantankerous soul, Holmes clearly values his friend and even tries to save a former paramour despite the fact that she once double-crossed him.
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Positive Role Models
a little
They trade barbs and are feisty with each other, but Holmes and Watson always fight for the good -- and for each other. That said, they're so intent on capturing villains that they sometimes sacrifice their personal lives. Irene is a strong, capable female character, but she's also manipulative and self-serving.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
Frequent violence, including gunplay, bloody fistfights (some in slow-motion, detailing each painful blow in wince-inducing fashion), and a few big explosions. Guns, knives, a rudimentary Taser, and poison are used in various face-offs; corpses are displayed (in dirt with maggots visible, singed to a crisp after being engulfed in flames, dead in bathtub water). Men are shown hanging from a noose; a woman nearly stabs herself. Animal carcasses are shown hanging and sawed in half; a frog is shown in mid-dissection; dead rats are seen.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
A man is briefly shown naked and handcuffed to a bed, with only a pillow covering his private parts. He makes a suggestive sexual comment to the chamber maid. Some flirty banter between former lovers, and a few quick kisses exchanged between them. A woman undresses; her naked back is glimpsed.
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Language
very little
Very little; extremely infrequent uses of words like "damn" and "hell."
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Holmes sometimes drinks to excess (and he isn't always picky about what he drinks to get there); characters drink wine at a restaurant; Holmes smokes a pipe.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sherlock Holmes is director Guy Ritchie's take on the famous literary/cinematic detective legend. It stars Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams and presents an earthier, brawnier, and glossier version of the story than most of us are used to ... which is exactly why teens will love it. Gritty, late-1800s London is the movie's backdrop, and there's no shortage of action -- from brutal, slo-mo fistfight scenes (most with blood and broken bones) to gunplay and big explosions. There are also some fairly gory crime scenes (including shots of dead bodies, one with a few wriggling maggots), a brief scene of a naked (aside from a strategically placed pillow) Holmes handcuffed to a bed, references to the dark rituals of occult secret societies, smoking, and drinking. But there's no swearing to speak of, and the movie ultimately celebrates Holmes and Watson's close friendship. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
Bloodthirsty British Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) -- who has a penchant for dark, occult rituals -- has turned serial killer, terrorizing late-1800s London. Enter SHERLOCK HOLMES (Robert Downey Jr.), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's keenly observant detective, and his comrade-in-arms, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), who manage to capture Blackwood and get him thrown behind bars. But after he's hanged, his body disappears from its crypt; it appears he's risen from the dead to come after Holmes. But with Watson about to get engaged and an old flame (Rachel McAdams) hounding him, what is Holmes to do? Can his deductive powers get him out of this dangerous scrape?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this movie's take on Sherlock Holmes compares to previous ones. Why do you think the filmmakers decided to up the action and violence? How does that change the impact and appeal of the story?
How does Holmes arrive at his conclusions? Can you really deduct that much information from simple (albeit thorough) observation? Can you think of characters in current TV shows or movies who perform similar deductions?
What makes a good and lasting friendship? Are Holmes and Watson on an even level, or is Watson simply an assistant to Holmes?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 25, 2009
- On DVD or streaming: March 30, 2010
- Cast: Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Robert Downey Jr.
- Director: Guy Ritchie
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 128 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material
- Last updated: January 2, 2023
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