Enola Holmes

Much like James Bond and Batman, Sherlock Holmes feels like he’s always been there. In books, TV and film the last few generations have always been aware of his existence. It’s easy to forget that the genius detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is over 130 years old. In that time there have been several TV versions of the character, a successful film series and countless novels and comic books furthering the adventures of Holmes and Watson and in some cases, his family. The most recent and unique forms is in the YA series by author Nancy Springer published in 2006 describing the adventures of Enola Holmes, the sixteen year-old sister of Sherlock and Mycroft. Ten years after the end of the series we are getting the Netflix film based on the first book. And now that she herself is sixteen, we get to see Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes.

Enola Holmes (Brown) is brought up at her family estate by her mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), where she is homeschooled in books, chess, and jujitsu. When her mother goes missing Enola greets her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and government employee Mycroft (Sam Calflin) who immediately plan to send her to a finishing school to become a proper lady and are only mildly concerned with finding their mother Eudoria. But Enola is not so quick to dismiss their mothers disappearance. As she searches her mothers parting gift to her, she discovers clues that may lead to her whereabouts. In her escape from her bothers Enola meets a young man named Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) with mysterious ties to the House of Lords. As Enola jumps back and forth between the two mysteries she must use all the skills her mother taught her and will be forced to learn a few things for herself along the way.

After the success of Stranger Things and a co-staring role in a Godzilla movie, a lot of people were wondering if the young Millie Bobby Brown would be able to carry a film herself. As the end credits began to roll on Enola Holmes there will be zero doubt about Brown’s ability to hold her own. None of the high caliber actors in the film were able to steal the show from her. With a fun adventurous script by Jack Thorne and taking a page from the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes films director Harry Bradbeer mimics the style and situations a bit, but it helps to cement you in the world even if Enola is at times a bit too modern to fit in this film version. What helps it along is the fourth wall breaking, as Enola looks right at us and narrates, which would have been annoying after a while if not for Brown’s winning grin and sheer joy she brings to the role. This is for sure a welcomed addition to the Holmes Universe. I would certainly watch a series of Enola Holmes adventures starring a growing Millie, and since there are 5 other books in the series, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. So get on it Netflix!