Young Sherlock
Director: Peter Harness, Matthew Parkhill, and Guy Ritchie Genre: Comedy Actors and actresses: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn Nationality: UK Release date: March 4, 2026
If the character of Sherlock Holmes has been adapted many times in cinema – notably by Guy Ritchie with Robert Downey Jr in the lead role – and for television – we remember the 4 seasons of adventures of the famous detective with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role – and if we have also feminized the character of the detective with Enola Holmes, little had yet been done to tell the genesis of the character. We can only rejoice to see Guy Ritchie venture in this direction with Young Sherlock, available since March 2026 on Amazon Prime.
Sherlock Holmes, 19 years old, is sent to Oxford University by his brother Mycroft, to redeem himself after being imprisoned for theft for a few months. Despite his noble origins, he is hired as a valet. As a murder strikes the city of Oxford, the young man embarks on solving his first mystery. Despite his inexperience, he will engage in an investigation that reveals a much larger crime, at the heart of an international conspiracy.
Moriarty, a character to follow?
If the first episodes too clearly show the director’s taste for glitz, sleight of hand, and all that shines, the scenario, as a whole, is in line with what we expect from a detective story of the famous detective. Of course, it does not reach the brilliance of the series with Benedict Cumberbatch, but the different twists provide viewers with a varied and entertaining spectacle, and the director knows how to maintain suspense until the last second. In addition, he introduces the character of James Moriarty, nemesis of Sherlock Holmes but still a friend during his youth, a character portrayed in a breathtaking manner by Dónal Finn, who would almost overshadow the main protagonist due to the thorough and interesting work on the psychology of this Holmes antagonist. A James Moriarty whose motivations for changing sides and becoming a genius of evil we would like to know.
Visually Guy Ritchie
Visually, viewers will refer to the director’s two aforementioned films, finding similarities.
While the plot falls short of the author’s potential, the viewer will still not miss out on enjoying this excellent entertainment, especially as they will have the pleasure of seeing other recurring characters from the saga like Moriarty, Lestrade, or Mycroft.
