by Reade Fenner ‘22

“Enola Holmes,” a comedic mystery based on the first book in Nancy Springer’s series of the same name, was released by Netflix on September 23. Initially, the rights to the film belonged to Warner Bros. Pictures; however, they were sold to Netflix as a result of theater closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This movie follows the journey of clever young detective Enola Holmes, teenage sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. With an engaging plot and a talented cast, “Enola Holmes” proves to be an entertaining film. 

This film stars “Stranger Things” actress Millie Bobby Brown in the titular role and begins with Enola’s discovery that her beloved mother, Eudoria Holmes (Helena Bonham Carter) is missing. Accustomed to life with her eccentric mother, who taught her to be a smart and independent young woman and with whom she has spent her entire life, Enola is dismayed by her departure. She is left in the incapable hands of her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), both of whom are untroubled by Eudoria’s sudden absence. Enola’s concern for her mother overwhelms her, leading her to flee to London in search of answers. As Enola investigates the details of her mother’s disappearance, she meets young Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), who ran from his duties as a Lord, desperate to escape the life forced on him by his family. With an assassin and the Holmes brothers in pursuit, Enola and Tewkesbury help each other to accomplish their respective goals. This movie, filled with drama and comedy, follows Enola as she discovers her place in the world as a young woman and defies social norms. 

Director Harry Bradbeer and screenplay writer Jack Thorne assembled an entertaining film with a perfect balance between intrigue and comedy. Enola’s amusing asides, wonderfully delivered by actress and producer Brown, allow the viewer to feel more connected to the story and Enola’s journey. Composer Daniel Pemberton created a wonderful soundtrack, forging a perfect harmony between passionate orchestral and eccentric upbeat music. The costumes and sets are also very well-chosen and accurate to the early 20th century. 

Throughout the film Brown delivers a captivating performance as intelligent and curious young Enola. She portrays the young detective in a charming and witty manner, creating a loveable main character. Cavill gives a skillful performance as well, adding new depths to well-known character Sherlock Holmes. As Mycroft Holmes, Claflin manages to develop an extremely unlikeable, yet amusing, character, accurately reflecting a Victorian era snob. 

With an intriguing plot, lively characters, and a comical script, “Enola Holmes” is a great addition to the Netflix Original collection. It is an entertaining film perfectly tailored for its target adolescent audience, yet still enjoyable for viewers of all ages. This film is a must-watch for young women especially, as Enola’s path to self-discovery and defiance of expectations for women in her era is inspiring. As the “Enola Holmes” book series extends four books past the first novel, there is a possibility for a sequel, which the cast and director have both expressed interest in. 

Grade: A