Sherlock Holmes

Why Is Sherlock Holmes Rated PG-13?

Violence will be the greatest issue in deciding if this movie is appropriate for older teens. Many scenes feature characters fighting. While weapons use is minimal, the hand-to-hand combat is brutal with sound effects and slow motion sequences. At least two characters are shot with pistols. One scene features men fighting competitively in a ring match. A character is executed by hanging—we see the body twitching after the event. A corpse is exposed and maggots are seen on the face. A character, trying to recreate an event, is seen hanging with rope around his neck (he is still alive). A character is shocked with a device. A character experiments with potions using a dog as a test subject. In a makeshift lab, a dissected frog, a brain and other disturbing things are seen. A character is lit on fire. A cult is depicted and in one scene a clothed woman is seen tied to a table. Later a comment is made about a baby being conceived during a cult ceremony. One mild profanity was noted. Social drinking is depicted. A character is seen with a pipe, but we don’t see it being smoked.