Sherlock Holmes (2009) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Eccentric consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson battle to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy England.
Rated PG-13 • 2009 • 2h 9m
Rated PG-13 for its intense action-violence and mature thematic material, this stylish take on Sherlock Holmes is best suited for teens and adults. The film features frequent, stylized fistfights where Sherlock Holmes strategically breaks bones in slow motion, along with scenes of explosions and peril. The central plot involves a villain, Lord Blackwood, who appears to use dark magic and satanic rituals to commit a series of murders… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Sherlock Holmes appropriate for kids?
Rated PG-13 for its intense action-violence and mature thematic material, this stylish take on Sherlock Holmes is best suited for teens and adults. The film features frequent, stylized fistfights where Sherlock Holmes strategically breaks bones in slow motion, along with scenes… Read more — free account
Content severity in Sherlock Holmes
What happens in Sherlock Holmes, moment by moment
- 0:03 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:06 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
- 0:24 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
Sex and nudity in Sherlock Holmes
A brief scene shows Holmes in bed, naked but with a pillow covering his groin. In a separate scene, Irene Adler undresses behind a screen and is briefly seen nude from the distant back. There are also classical paintings and statues depicting nudity without focus. The dialogue between Holmes and Adler is flirtatious but contains no explicit sexual content.
Violence and gore in Sherlock Holmes
Violence is frequent and stylized. The film contains numerous fistfights, with several key sequences showing Holmes's thought process in slow-motion as he targets and breaks opponents' bones and joints, complete with crunching sound effects. Other scenes involve explosions, shootings, a man being set on fire, and a character being drowned. The finale features an extended fight on an unfinished Tower Bridge, culminating in the villain being accidentally but graphically hanged by chains.
Language in Sherlock Holmes
Language is very mild. There are a couple uses of 'damn' and 'hell,' as well as exclamations like 'dear God.' The PG-13 rating is not due to profanity.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Sherlock Holmes
Characters frequently drink wine and other alcoholic beverages in social settings. Holmes is often seen smoking his pipe and is once drugged with a sedative in his wine. In one scene, he drinks a liquid he is told is 'for eye surgery,' a subtle reference to cocaine from the books, though it's not named. Holmes also tests anesthetics on his dog, which is played for comedy.
Mature themes in Sherlock Holmes
The main plot revolves around dark and mature themes. The villain, Lord Blackwood, is a serial killer who stages his murders as occult rituals. The story involves themes of black magic, secret societies, and political conspiracy. Several scenes depict corpses, including one in a coffin with maggots on its face, and a man is seemingly resurrected from the dead. The film's suspense and mystery are built on these unnerving and supernatural-adjacent elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherlock Holmes appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Sherlock Holmes is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Rated PG-13 for its intense action-violence and mature thematic material, this stylish take on Sherlock Holmes is best suited for teens and adults. The film features frequent, stylized fistfights where Sherlock Holmes…
What age rating does Sherlock Holmes have?
Sherlock Holmes is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Sherlock Holmes about?
Rated PG-13 for its intense action-violence and mature thematic material, this stylish take on Sherlock Holmes is best suited for teens and adults. The film features frequent, stylized fistfights where Sherlock Holmes strategically breaks bones in slow motion, along with scenes of explosions and peril. The central…
Is there sex or nudity in Sherlock Holmes?
A brief scene shows Holmes in bed, naked but with a pillow covering his groin. In a separate scene, Irene Adler undresses behind a screen and is briefly seen nude from the distant back. There are also classical paintings and statues depicting nudity without…
How violent is Sherlock Holmes?
Violence is frequent and stylized. The film contains numerous fistfights, with several key sequences showing Holmes's thought process in slow-motion as he targets and breaks opponents' bones and joints, complete with crunching sound effects. Other scenes…
Is the language in Sherlock Holmes appropriate for kids?
Language is very mild. There are a couple uses of 'damn' and 'hell,' as well as exclamations like 'dear God.' The PG-13 rating is not due to profanity.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Sherlock Holmes?
Characters frequently drink wine and other alcoholic beverages in social settings. Holmes is often seen smoking his pipe and is once drugged with a sedative in his wine. In one scene, he drinks a liquid he is told is 'for eye surgery,' a subtle reference to…
What mature themes appear in Sherlock Holmes?
The main plot revolves around dark and mature themes. The villain, Lord Blackwood, is a serial killer who stages his murders as occult rituals. The story involves themes of black magic, secret societies, and political conspiracy. Several scenes depict…
How long is Sherlock Holmes?
Sherlock Holmes runs 129 minutes, directed by Guy Ritchie, released in 2009.
Where can I read the full Sherlock Holmes parent guide?
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