Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Last updated:
August 24, 2025

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), directed by Guy Ritchie, is the second installment in his reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective stories. Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, this sequel ramps up the action, intrigue, and mind games, introducing Sherlock’s most famous nemesis: Professor James Moriarty.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Shadow of Moriarty

The film begins with Europe on the brink of war. A series of bombings, assassinations, and financial manipulations suggest the presence of a hidden mastermind. Holmes quickly identifies this figure as Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris), a criminal genius pulling strings from the shadows. Unlike the street-level cases Holmes usually faces, this one involves global stakes.

Watson’s Wedding

Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) prepares to marry Mary (Kelly Reilly), hoping for a quieter life away from Holmes’s chaotic influence. Of course, Holmes crashes the honeymoon train ride, dragging Watson back into a dangerous web of conspiracy. Mary, rather inconveniently for Holmes, gets thrown off the train mid-journey—though into the safety of Holmes’s brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry).

The Conspiracy Unfolds

Holmes and Watson uncover that Moriarty’s schemes involve controlling the global arms trade. He is orchestrating small conflicts and assassinations to ignite a full-scale war, from which his weapons factories and financial investments will profit immensely. Along the way, Holmes allies with Madame Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace), a Gypsy whose brother is unknowingly caught in Moriarty’s plot.

The Chess Game Begins

The movie builds tension as Holmes and Moriarty face off like two grandmasters in a high-stakes chess match. Every move—whether a bombing, assassination, or counter-investigation—is calculated. Holmes must match Moriarty’s cold intellect while protecting Watson and stopping a potential world war.

Movie Ending

The climax takes place at a peace summit in Reichenbach, Switzerland—a clever nod to Conan Doyle’s famous short story The Final Problem. Moriarty plans to assassinate a leader and use the chaos to push Europe into war. Holmes realizes the only way to stop him is not through evidence, but through personal sacrifice.

Holmes and Moriarty finally come face-to-face on a balcony overlooking the falls. In one of the most iconic scenes, they engage in a silent “mind duel,” each calculating the other’s moves in advance. Holmes sees that Moriarty will inevitably overpower him in hand-to-hand combat. Instead of fighting, Holmes chooses a different path: he locks Moriarty in a bear hug and throws both of them over the balcony, plummeting into the roaring waters below.

Watson writes Holmes’s obituary, mourning his friend, though the audience already suspects the detective may not be truly gone. The final twist comes when Watson prepares to go on honeymoon. As he leaves, we see Holmes—disguised and very much alive—sitting in Watson’s study, blending into the room before cheekily adjusting his oxygen mask.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, the film does not include a post-credits scene. The final shot of Holmes in Watson’s office serves as the movie’s closing wink to the audience.

Type of Movie

This film is a period action-thriller with mystery and detective elements. It mixes 19th-century style with modern fast-paced editing, slow-motion action sequences, and witty banter.

Cast

Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law as Dr. John Watson
Jared Harris as Professor James Moriarty
Noomi Rapace as Madame Simza Heron
Stephen Fry as Mycroft Holmes
Kelly Reilly as Mary Watson
Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler (brief appearance)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, who returned after scoring the first film. Zimmer infused the soundtrack with Eastern European and Gypsy folk influences, using instruments like the cimbalom to create a chaotic, unpredictable sound that matches Holmes’s eccentric genius.

Filming Locations

The film was shot across England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Key locations include:

Richter Studios and Pinewood Studios (UK) for large-scale set pieces.
Strasbourg, France for the peace summit sequences.
Switzerland’s waterfalls inspired the Reichenbach climax (though some parts were studio recreations).
The European settings emphasized the international stakes of Moriarty’s plot.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, the movie did receive nominations in technical categories:

Empire Awards: Nominated for Best Action Film.
BMI Film Music Award: Won by Hans Zimmer for his score.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Robert Downey Jr. insisted on doing many of his stunts, including fight choreography with Jared Harris.
Guy Ritchie wanted the film to feel more like a “war thriller” than just a mystery story.
Stephen Fry’s nude scene as Mycroft caused laughter on set, as Fry improvised much of his dialogue.
Jared Harris studied Doyle’s Moriarty stories in detail to bring a “quiet menace” rather than over-the-top villainy.

Inspirations and References

The movie draws heavily from The Final Problem, Doyle’s story in which Holmes and Moriarty face off at Reichenbach Falls. However, Ritchie reimagines it with action-heavy sequences and a twist ending that keeps Holmes alive for potential sequels.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were rumors of extended sequences at Reichenbach showing more of Moriarty’s internal thoughts, but these were cut for pacing. An alternate ending where Holmes’s survival is left even more ambiguous was considered but dropped in favor of the cheeky final shot in Watson’s study.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While Doyle’s Holmes stories are methodical detective tales, Guy Ritchie’s adaptation leans heavily into action and cinematic spectacle. The Holmes-Watson bromance is also given more prominence, with witty banter and emotional depth that isn’t always as pronounced in the original texts.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The exploding train honeymoon sequence.
Holmes disguising himself as a chair in Watson’s office.
The forest chase in slow-motion with artillery shells tearing through the woods.
The balcony duel at Reichenbach Falls.

Iconic Quotes

Holmes: “Come now, you really think you can beat me at my own game?”
Moriarty: “All I have to do is endure him.”
Watson: “You do realize what you’re doing, don’t you?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The Reichenbach Falls reference is a direct nod to Doyle’s original story.
Holmes’s oxygen mask in the final scene foreshadows his survival without needing an explicit explanation.
Moriarty’s chess set mirrors his “grand plan,” with pieces representing nations and power players.

Trivia

Rachel McAdams was originally planned to have a larger role, but her character Irene Adler was killed off early to raise the stakes.
Jared Harris was chosen over bigger-name actors because Ritchie wanted a quieter, intellectual Moriarty rather than a flamboyant one.
The film grossed over $543 million worldwide, making it a commercial success.

Why Watch?

Watch this film if you enjoy fast-paced action mixed with sharp wit and intellectual duels. It’s not just a detective story—it’s a war of minds between Holmes and Moriarty, with Europe’s future in the balance.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)