Sherlock Holmes story
Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 period mystery action film starring Robert Downey Jr. as the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film, set in 1890, follows eccentric detective Holmes and his companion Watson attempting to foil a mysticist's plot to gain control of Britain by seemingly supernatural means. Rachel McAdams stars as Holmes' former adversary Irene Adler and Mark Strong portrays villain Lord Henry Blackwood.
21 total · 11 major · 10 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| black magic | major | Lord Blackwood commanded powerful occult forces, or so it seemed. |
| con artistry | major | The story concerns Lord Blackwood pulling an elaborate ruse designed to fool Parliament into believing he wielded powerful occult forces. In this way he planned to take control of the government. In the end, Holmes and his associates exposed Blackwood as a charlatan and a fraud. |
| engaged couple | major | Holmes' tried to undermine Watson's engagement to Mary at every turn. |
| law enforcement | major | Inspector Lestrade, an investigator from Scotland Yard, brought in Holmes and Watson to help with the investigation of the murders of several women. |
| private investigator occupation | major | Sherlock Holmes and Watson unraveled a sinister plot perpetrated by a secret group of powerful men to take control of Britain. |
| resurrection of the dead | major | Much was made of Lord Blackwood seemingly returning to life after being pronounced dead following his hanging. |
| romantic love | major | Watson was besotted with his fiancée, Mary. |
| secret society conspiracy theory | major | Lord Blackwood was a key figure in a secret occult society with designs on taking overt control of Britain and beyond. |
| the importance of paying attention to detail | major | Sherlock Holmes demonstrated an uncanny ability to tell much about people and crime scenes alike merely from observing minor details. |
| the lust for power | major | Lord Blackwood was fueled by a desire to create a new world empire that would endure for a thousand years. |