Young Sherlock review: Guy Ritchie’s return to Holmes is messy, throwaway fun

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

The new Sherlock Holmes prequel, aptly named Young Sherlock, begins with a fight in prison for the young detective. He’s then put to work as a porter at Oxford University by his brother, Mycroft.

We only see Holmes briefly with bruises and in prison clothes, but this image has been heavily featured in the show’s advertising, indicating Prime Video’s primary way of promoting the series.

This version of Sherlock Holmes feels similar to the ones we’ve seen in Guy Ritchie’s earlier films – he’s a director and producer on this project too. However, the filmmakers want to make it clear that this story isn’t connected to those previous films.

Is this show trying to make Sherlock Holmes a tough fighter? Not really. After watching all eight episodes of Young Sherlock, I’m still unsure what kind of detective this version is supposed to be – the story jumps around so much it’s hard to follow.

Yes, this series definitely has issues. It’s chaotic and doesn’t flow well, and loyal fans of Arthur Conan Doyle will likely be disappointed. But, Guy Ritchie is a master of creating incredibly engaging entertainment, and that holds true here – it’s hard to stop watching.

I always loved how Young Sherlock immediately throws you into the life of the main character. He’s not the refined detective we know yet – he’s a bit of a troublemaker, a rebellious kid who’s into pickpocketing just for the fun of it, and he’s hanging around Oxford University, of all places. It really sets the stage for his journey.

He soon meets James Moriarty, a brilliant student on a full scholarship, and they quickly become friends because they’re both incredibly intelligent. While we know they’ll eventually become bitter enemies, this story takes its time getting there.

Sherlock Holmes solved his very first mystery when a valuable scroll was stolen while being delivered to a university by a Chinese princess.

But that’s only the start of the story. The investigation pulls both the detective and James into a dangerous world of murder and hidden plots, ultimately leading him back to his family. He reconnects with his mother, Cordelia, who has been in a mental institution for years, and his father, Silas.

You can see what this movie is going for – it’s not a simple, self-contained mystery like the ones in shows like Sherlock or Elementary. It feels and is built like Guy Ritchie’s earlier films from 2009 and 2011.

The story begins with a straightforward mystery, but quickly expands into a complex, worldwide conspiracy. This leaves viewers questioning Sherlock’s motivations and how he became involved.

That kind of storyline can be effective in a fast-paced movie, where viewers don’t have time to overanalyze things. However, when stretched out over a longer TV series, it can make the story feel fragmented and disconnected.

The first three episodes have a completely different feel from the rest of the series, especially when compared to the ending. This difference isn’t just about where the story takes place, but also how the characters act and the overall mood.

Let’s talk about Sherlock. While you could argue his character develops throughout the series, it’s more accurate to say it’s inconsistent.

He definitely goes through some difficult personal challenges, which might account for his shifting behavior. However, the fun-loving personality he showed at the beginning of the series seems to disappear around the halfway point.

Sherlock Holmes’s sense of right and wrong, and how genuinely he feels things, seem to be changing. If he wasn’t Sherlock Holmes, it would be hard to figure out who this character is or what he stands for.

The issues aren’t with Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s performance, but with the script itself. He’s perfectly adequate in the role – not outstanding, and unlikely to be remembered as a definitive portrayal of the character – but he’s engaging enough and doesn’t hinder the rest of the film.

The dynamic between his character and Dónal Finn’s Moriarty is the most compelling part of the show. Their relationship, which shifts from friendship to rivalry, is handled with remarkable nuance, and its ultimate outcome remains to be seen. Finn delivers a particularly strong performance, bringing a mischievous glint to his portrayal that hints at the character’s hidden darkness, despite his seemingly righteous exterior.

The supporting actors are all excellent, including familiar faces like Natascha McElhone and Joseph Fiennes, who clearly enjoyed playing Sherlock’s parents, and rising stars like Zine Tseng. Max Irons stands out as Mycroft, and it makes you wonder if he could have convincingly played a younger Sherlock years ago.

Colin Firth also makes an appearance. To be honest, the show probably has more famous actors than it really needs.

This adaptation won’t appeal to fans who prefer a traditional Sherlock Holmes. Like Ritchie’s previous work, it sometimes feels like the creators aren’t particularly focused on staying true to the original character created by Arthur Conan Doyle.

The story’s plot feels generic and could fit into almost any action-adventure series, and Holmes doesn’t really showcase his famous detective work.

You might say the character is still developing his skills, but I think the show focuses more on portraying Holmes as an action hero in the style of Guy Ritchie than as the brilliant detective he’s known for. While we see glimpses of his famous mental abilities, the emphasis on action actually makes the series feel less unique.

Okay, so it’s definitely flawed – the story gets a bit tangled, some of the characters aren’t fully developed, and it doesn’t stick super close to the original stories. But honestly, despite all that, I didn’t find watching ‘Young Sherlock’ a chore at all. In fact, I was surprisingly entertained!

Whether he’s working with strong source material, like in The Gentlemen, or weaker material, like Fountain of Youth, Guy Ritchie consistently delivers an entertaining experience. This likely stems from his willingness to take risks and creatively adapt the stories he tells – he’s not afraid to break the mold.

Honestly, even though Young Sherlock isn’t perfect, it’s just a really fun, energetic adventure. It manages to stay lighthearted and entertaining, even when things get a little more serious and mysterious. I really enjoyed the overall playful spirit of the film.

The movie is visually impressive and creatively directed, with a fast-moving story, endearing characters, and beautiful settings.

Despite having some issues with the show throughout its eight episodes, I still enjoyed it and was left wanting to see what happened next. Maybe it was because this take on Holmes and Moriarty felt so different from the characters in the original stories.

It’s uncertain if we’ll see more of the story, but if people respond to the series as enthusiastically as they did to the trailer, another installment seems very possible.

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Ultimately, it makes you think if this couldn’t have worked better as an official prequel to the movies directed by Ritchie. Not much would need to be different, but it would have at least established a clear purpose and given the characters more believable backgrounds.

This series is a lighthearted, fast-paced adventure that’s inspired by Sherlock Holmes, but doesn’t delve into the depth of the original stories. It feels more like the work of the director than a faithful adaptation of Conan Doyle, and whether you’ll enjoy it likely depends on if you’re a fan of his style.

As a film buff, I just wanted to let you know about a show I’m excited about – Young Sherlock! You can easily add it to your watchlist using the TopMob: What to Watch app. Seriously, download it now – it gives you daily TV recommendations and all sorts of cool features. It’s a great way to stay on top of everything worth watching.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

As someone who’s totally obsessed with TV, I find it fascinating to learn about the people making the shows we love. I recently came across James Hibbs, a drama writer at TopMob, and his background is really interesting. He covers everything from shows on streaming services to those on traditional TV. Before writing, he actually worked in PR, first for a business-to-business agency and then for Fremantle, a big international production company. He’s got a solid academic foundation too, with a BA in English and Theatre Studies, and he’s a qualified journalist with an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma.

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2026-03-02 18:06