One of fiction's most famous detectives, Sherlock Holmes, has been played by more than 50 actors over the years. Some of the most recognizable names to take on the role include Jeremy Brett and Benedict Cumberbatch. And these actors have been compared to their predecessors. 

The same can be said for some of the latest actors to portray the detective on screen, who are Robert Downey Jr. and Henry Cavill. While Downey Jr. played the iconic detective in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes in 2009, Cavill brought a new perspective to the character a decade later in Enola Holmes in 2020. Interestingly, Henry Cavill's Sherlock Holmes is not only different from Robert Downey Jr.'s version but, in many ways, a better one, too. 

Robert Downey Jr. portrayed Sherlock Holmes in two films, Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. While his performance was entertaining, there was little to no change in his character across both movies. Holmes remained the same eccentric detective throughout, with minimal character development, largely due to the way the character was written. 

However, Henry Cavill’s Sherlock Holmes in the two Enola Holmes films undergoes intriguing development. In the first film, he is like a mentor to his younger sister, Enola Holmes. By the second movie, however, he becomes more of a student, observing Enola's unique approach to her cases. Sherlock Holmes, who is mostly seen as teaching or revealing things, is shown to learn things. 

“Interestingly, there's a role reversal that goes on between the two,” Cavill said in an interview with ScreenRant.

“The wisdom goes both ways, and I love that about this movie, that Sherlock ends up being the one who is taught so much.”

Henry Cavill's Sherlock is a refreshing take on the iconic detective. In the Enola Holmes films, Sherlock gets confused, surprised, and even makes mistakes. He encounters cases he cannot solve as easily as he wants to and has to work hard to find the truth. Instead of effortlessly staying several steps ahead, he is seen facing new challenges and learning through his struggles. 

He enjoys the challenges since it is not boring, and that is what Sherlock Holmes is traditionally like. But by humanizing a character who is often portrayed as almost godlike and flawless, the films make Sherlock more relatable and believable. That is why Cavill's Sherlock Holmes seems more interesting than Robert Downey Jr.'s genius detective. 

After the first Enola Holmes film, Henry Cavill's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes was criticized by some viewers for being too gentle. However, that was exactly why he was cast in the role. Director Harry Bradbeer said it was Cavill's gentle nature, not his physique, that earned him the part. 

Bradbeer explained that this was a deliberate decision to move away from the overly confident versions of Sherlock seen in recent years. Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock also carried a similar sense of superiority. In Enola Holmes, however, Sherlock is portrayed not only as one of the world's greatest detectives but also as a caring brother, making the character feel more human.

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“I wanted a Sherlock who could go on a journey from the Sherlock that we all know-to having met his sister and being pushed into an emotional corner. He was forced to open up. So I needed someone who could go to those places,” Bradbeer told Decider. 

One of the most common traits of Sherlock Holmes across most portrayals is his belief that he does not need anyone, not even Watson at times. That is true even in the films starring Robert Downey Jr. However, Enola Holmes takes a different approach.

Henry Cavill has spoken about this change in an interview with TheWrap, and the sequels have brilliantly conveyed it. Although Cavill's Sherlock comes across as distant in the first film, the second sees him undergo growth as he gradually learns to lean on others for help. Enola’s breakthrough in his missing person case helps him join the dots of his own case.

This is an interesting departure from the previous Sherlock Holmes characters.

In the 2009 and 2011 Sherlock Holmes films, Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes focuses on fights as much as his detective skills. In the films, he is shown planning his fights in slow motion before making each move. The action scenes were praised. However, some viewers felt the movies placed too much importance on action instead of detective work.

Later, Henry Cavill's Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes focuses mainly on solving mysteries through observation, deduction, and logic. This kept the character's detective abilities at the center of the story rather than moving on to the physical combat aspect. After all, Sherlock Holmes is known for his observation and deductive reasoning.

Henry Cavill's physicality was important for Enola Holmes. However, his physicality was used to point out a different side of Sherlock Holmes. Rather than showing aggression, it reflected his protective and caring nature as an older brother to Enola. This is very different from Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal in the 2009 and 2011 Sherlock Holmes films. 

His version was built around Wing Chun-inspired combat, underground boxing, and frequent fight scenes. His Sherlock was shown to be a skilled bare-knuckle boxer. While Downey Jr.'s films made action an intriguing part of the character, Cavill's Sherlock uses his physical presence to support the story instead of overshadowing his detective skills.

Another intriguing aspect of Henry Cavill's Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes is that he is written as a supporting character. Rather than dominating every scene with his seemingly superhuman intellect and abilities, he shares the spotlight with Enola and supports her journey. This makes Sherlock a more collaborative character instead of a self-centered one. And this is why Cavill's Sherlock Holmes, which is a unique take on the beloved detective, appears better than Robert Downey Jr.'s Holmes.

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What is your opinion on the versions of Sherlock Holmes played by Henry Cavill and Robert Downey Jr.? Let us know in the comments.