Sherlock Holmes is an iconic and well-known literary figure. Over the decades, there have been many iterations of the character. From the popular BBC series to Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal in the cinematic adaptation, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character continues to be a staple of both the books and the screen.
While his story is well known, the latest Netflix original film Enola Holmes breaks the traditional mold of the Holmes character to put sole focus on Enola, Sherlock’s younger sister, in a coming of age story that is sure to satisfy both traditionalists and those looking for a modern look of the character and story.
Enola Holmes takes cinephiles to 1884 England, where Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) has just turned 16 years old and discovered that her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) has disappeared. Because of her disappearance, Enola finds herself under the care of her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin). In their care, the brothers are steadfast at sending Enola away to a finishing school for “proper” young ladies. Against these plans, Enola escapes, embarking on a search for her mother in London.
Traditionalists who have long loved the Holmes story of yesteryear will find that similar to iterations of the literary tales of Holmes before Enola, her coming of age stories includes some entanglement in a mystery. Credit is due to director Harry Bradbeer’s choice to have this mystery be a focal point in Enola’s growth as not only a detective but as a young girl learning the trials and tribulations of adulthood.
While Bradbeer’s choice to use the mystery as an assist to Enola’s growth, the most important and best choice made in the film was to not center this story around Enola’s connection to her famous brothers, which would usually be expected when looking at a movie about Sherlock Holmes’ sister. She is alone for the majority of the film, and that choice was a success thanks to the beautiful performance by Millie Bobby Brown.
While many cinephiles know Millie from her work in the critically acclaimed Stranger Things, she shines bright in her first starring role. Brown’s charisma oozes throughout the film as Brown’s Enola is assertive, powerful, and confident. Brown commands your attention to the screen throughout the movie as her performance may aid in the start of a new franchise and become a cornerstone for younger children watching at home that may not be old enough for Stranger Things but fit right into the demographic this film is aiming for.
The supporting players cannot be ignored. Henry Cavill as Sherlock, showcases kindness and his familial sensibilities, in a way unseen before in any film or TV adaptation of the character. Cavill’s take on Holmes is both refreshing and a treat. Sam Claflin’s take on Mycroft is the yin to Cavill’s yang as he’s sexist, cold, and determined to push his ideologies while ignoring Enola’s.
The film does suffer from being long in the tooth in regards to its length, clocking in at 2 hours and 3 minutes. It could have benefited from another edit or two to bring the run time down. While ultimately, it does not hurt the overall quality of the film, I can only imagine an even better movie if they tightened up the length.
Enola Holmes was an unexpected but welcomed treat. The film offers adventure, comedy, mystery, and personal growth. In a world of cinema where female-led properties are lacking, Enola Holmes is ready to fill that void.
Enola Holmes is available exclusively on Netflix on September 23, 2020.
