The RDJ Version – Action, Wit, and “Absolute Cinema”
Say what you want about Guy Ritchie’s Holmes movies, but they’re fun. That scene where Sherlock faces off against a man twice his size, and everything freezes while he slowly and coolly breaks down how he’s going to win the fight And then, in less than two seconds, he executes the whole thing with flawless precision. It’s smart, flashy, and steeped in that signature RDJ charm—it's absolute cinema. Jude Law is a serviceable Watson, the period setting is gritty yet stylish, and the entire thing hums with energy.
Is it true to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s source material? Not particularly. But that’s not the point. This Sherlock isn’t meant to be a contemplative master of deduction; he’s an action hero with a Victorian twist. And honestly, that works. He’s basically Tony Stark in a waistcoat. The first movie is far stronger than the second, but both deliver a thoroughly entertaining time at the cinema.
Elementary – The Underdog That Surprised Me
When Elementary premiered, I didn’t expect much. It felt like the most obvious “American network TV take” on the Holmes mythos. But somehow, it managed to carve out its own identity.
Jonny Lee Miller plays a more grounded, recovering addict version of Sherlock, and Lucy Liu brings heart and nuance to her role as Joan Watson. Their dynamic is unique, respectful, and—shockingly for network television—not romanticized. That alone deserves a slow clap.
My wife, who never really got into the BBC Sherlock, actually loved Elementary. We watched the whole thing together and had a lot of fun with it. That said, while Miller does a lot with the role, and the performances are solid across the board, I found the actual plots far less engaging than the ones in Sherlock. It was a good show—but not one I ever felt compelled to revisit.
BBC’s Sherlock – The High-Functioning Superhero
Now let’s talk about the crown jewel: Cumberbatch’s Sherlock.
Let’s be clear—this guy is not a detective. He’s not even human. He’s a superhero with an overclocked brain, capable of seeing everything, knowing everything, and deducting anything (even if it doesn’t technically make sense). And that’s not a criticism—it’s the entire point. This version of Sherlock isn’t trying to be realistic. It’s closer to The Avengers than Agatha Christie, and if you accept that, you’re in for one hell of a ride.
The show operates in a heightened reality. Government agencies are run by his brother. Secret criminal masterminds manipulate the world from the shadows. Clues are hidden in plain sight, if only your mind palace is strong enough to piece them together. It’s absurd. It’s ridiculous. And it’s brilliant—at least, when it’s firing on all cylinders.
Where it all falls apart, at least for me, is the Moriarty of it all.
Now, I love Andrew Scott. Truly, deeply, he's a phenomenal actor. But his version of Moriarty? It's giving Jared Leto’s Joker. Every time he’s onscreen, the show screeches to a halt. He’s so over-the-top it’s like he wandered in from a completely different show, one where subtlety was outlawed. Even after his character dies, he keeps popping up like a cartoon ghost refusing to accept cancellation.
And from that point on, the show starts losing its edge. The stories get messier, the tone more chaotic, and the once-brilliant deductions start feeling like narrative shortcuts. It’s still watchable—but that tight, exhilarating energy of the early seasons? Gone.
The Case for a New Holmes
All in all, that brief period where we had three Sherlocks was kind of amazing. Each one catered to a different audience, and each brought something unique to the table. But that was over a decade ago.
Maybe it’s time for a new Sherlock—one that understands the cultural moment we’re in now. One that doesn’t need to be set in Victorian London or modern-day Manhattan. One that can find new mysteries to solve in a world that’s more complex, connected, and conspiracy-filled than ever before. And no, Enola Holmes doesn't count.
Sherlock Holmes is the most adapted fictional character in history. He’s survived world wars, global pandemics, and Hollywood. He’ll survive us, too. The only question is: what’s the next version going to look like?
Whatever it is, I’ll be watching.
