Enola Holmes
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter
Directed By: Harry Bradbeer
Rated: PG-13
“Now, where to begin?” I’ll begin by saying that after a sea of mediocre Netflix originals (Eurovision, The Devil All the Time, The Kissing Booth 2), Enola Holmes feels like a breath of fresh air! Netflix’s latest is a charming coming-of-age mystery following Enola (Millie Bobby Brown), the spirited 16-year-old sister of Sherlock (Henry Cavill), and Mycroft Holmes (Sam Claflin). She has a knack for fighting, reading, and word games, but isn’t exactly the best at riding a bike. Even though Enola and her mother, Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), are joined at the hip, she goes missing on Enola’s 16th birthday. Enola enlists the help of her brothers to solve the mystery of her missing mother and sets out on an unforgettable journey that involves travel to London, saving a young Lord, and learning her place in the world. It’s never a dull moment for the Holmes family.
Enola Holmes was initially supposed to be a Warner Brothers theatrical release in a pre-COVID world, which makes a lot of sense. It has all the makings of a fun summer blockbuster. Director Harry Bradbeer injects a stylistic flair into the film. If you’ve ever seen Fleabag (which he also directed), you know he has a signature style that involves the titular character breaking the fourth wall to speak to the audience. That choice carries over into Enola Holmes as the protagonist energetically interacts with the audience as if we’re right there with her, along for the ride. It works wonderfully on a creative level and adds so much to the film.
While the creative aspects of Enola Holmes are excellent, the casting is also a major plus. Millie Bobby Brown is wonderful as the 16-year-old detective. She may be young, but this showcases her impressive range as an actress. The lively and charismatic Enola is a stark contrast from the shy and mysterious Eleven that Millie plays on Stranger Things.
Let me take a second to talk about Henry Cavill. This fall and Thanksgiving season, I am #thankful for Henry Cavill playing Sherlock Holmes with slightly curly hair. What a look. I will admit that he is the reason I watched this movie. I didn’t exactly have sky-high expectations when I first heard about it, but when I heard the words “Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes,” I knew I would be watching. He does not disappoint. Cavill plays Holmes in a much more subdued manner than I’ve recently seen in portrayals from Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch. However, I thought he did a great job with a more introspective Sherlock Holmes, and his relationship with Enola was lovely to watch.
On the other end of the spectrum is Sam Claflin and his very villainous mustache as Enola’s brother, Mycroft. He’s a chauvinist who believes Enola belongs in a girl’s school where they’ll teach her how to be a proper wife. Claflin is known for playing romantic leads in films like Love, Rosie, Me Before You, and Their Finest, but he shifts gears as a convincing villain in Enola Holmes. I couldn’t stand him and his obnoxious mustache.
Helena Bonham Carter even shows up as Enola’s mother, Eudoria. What a family! Who could imagine Eleven, Superman, Finnick O’Dair, and Princess Margaret all related? Although I think the film could’ve utilized more of Carter’s acting abilities, the scenes she is in are quite effective. Eudoria is a mother who tells Enola that she creates her own way in life, and she doesn’t have to conform to societal norms. She teaches Enola new lessons every day, including extensive reading, Jiu-Jitsu training, and games of chess, which is why it’s such a mystery when she disappears.
The mystery aspect of the film could be written better. It starts as a quest to find Enola’s mother then warps into another mystery to help young Lord Tewksbery (Louis Partridge), whose family is after his inheritance. Ultimately it felt like the film only needed one mystery for Enola to solve instead of two. Unfortunately, the result of the film’s core mystery ends up being pretty anti-climactic. Thank goodness Henry Cavill was there to make me forget about that part.
Although some of the writing could be stronger, Enola Holmes is a charming film full of creativity, action, and heart! Its impressive cast make the most of their time on screen. This is a Netflix original that I'll be sure to watch again very soon.
My Rating: 7/10