“Enola Holmes”: The newest Netflix Original about Sherlock Holmes’ fiery little sister

Ask any Netflix addict what comes to mind with the name Millie Bobby Brown and Stranger Things is probably what you’d hear. The Netflix Original was the actress’ breakout role in July 2016 in which she starred as Eleven. Four years later and she’s left the mind powers and buzzcut behind to star in the newest Netflix Original movie, Enola Holmes, which was released to Netflix on Wednesday.

Enola Holmes is an on-screen adaptation of Nancy Springer’s book series “The Enola Holmes Mysteries.” The mystery and coming of age film is set in 1884 England and follows Enola Holmes, the fiery sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, as she tries to solve the case of her mother disappearing on her 16th birthday. 

Even though I didn’t know much about the movie besides the plot summary, my procrastination got the best of me, and I decided to close down my Canvas browser tabs to watch it. I was immediately intrigued when the first scene opened and Enola “broke through the fourth wall” — an uncommon movie technique where the actors share their thoughts and feelings with the audience while talking directly into the camera. 

I would later learn that this director’s choice was a vital tool in the movie, which helped the audience gain a better sense of Enola’s emotions and thought process as she navigates London, her family and the mystery case.

At least the first ten minutes was a backstory. An aspect that usually just slows down the plot actually got me hooked — reassuring my choice to watch it. There was just enough information to set me up for the rest of the movie and I was fascinated by the characters they introduced. That’s one point for you, Netflix. 

Enola’s brothers, Detective Sherlock Holmes and Mycroft, left home when Enola was five, giving her no chance to get to know them. Enola was raised by her mother, Eudoria, and the two of them were nothing like the typical late 19th century woman. In a time when women had fewer rights than men, Enola was the female protagonist with a sharp mind and a specialization in tennis and jiu-jitsu — all courtesy of her feminist mother. 

It didn’t take me long to realize that this movie was nothing like my typical choice of a rom-com. But as someone who used to read every single “Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew” book she could get her hands on, I wouldn’t classify the movie as an in-depth and elaborate mystery like something you would find in a Sherlock Holmes book. 

If anything, the mystery — which initially enticed me — eventually becomes the secondary plot. Though the movie begins with Enola headed on a quest to find her missing mother, the introduction of new characters and the decision to find herself and her own path, shifts the movie’s focus by adding elements of action and romance.

The constant switching between plots was the downfall of Enola Holmes. New information kept getting thrown at me and I never felt a sense of completion when the writers didn’t tie up their loose ends in the plot.

And the big finale ending itself? I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but I wasn’t satisfied. There was no “aha” moment, no world saving and no long-lost lovers who reunite.

This movie is a long haul. As someone who loves a good movie but has a short attention span, the two hours dragged on.

Bottom line is, if you’re looking for a complicated mystery that compares to Sherlock, this isn’t the movie for you. Was it a great watch? Yes, I don’t regret my choice in watching it. The costuming and set took me out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into the late 19th century, and the cast delivered convincing performances.

*featured image photo courtesy of imdb.com