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Enola Holmes Movie Review

Enola Holmes is a 2020 mystery film directed by Harry Bradbeer and starring Millie Bobby Brown. It’s such an enjoyable flick.

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“Sometimes you must dangle your feet

in the water in order to attract the sharks“

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While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord. There is a lot talk about here, but let’s first state the obvious – this movie is mostly meant for the tween and teen set, and there is nothing wrong with that, it’s just that some adult viewers may find it too childish, in particular the breaking of the fourth wall scenes felt overly utilized. They were too abundant, and although quite charming and fun at first, I initially grew tired of them.

The movie is a mish-mash of many different ideas and IPs. Clearly, it was based on the titular book series, which was fairly recent in age. However, the film also mostly cleverly employs many different elements that you would come to expect from different series, most particularly the Harry Potter franchise, especially the first couple of entries. It pays homage to those in light tone, charming characters and a very British production in tone and score.

Ultimately, the film worked as it’s so undeniably charming that it cannot be hated despite some obvious flaws. The feminism as present here is somewhat aggressive and definitely idealist instead of realistic, but still the last scene between mother and daughter alone was so moving that the movie undoubtedly will strike a chord with all female viewers in particular.

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Enola Holmes should have maybe focused more on the mystery itself as the mystery (or mysteries to be precise) is fairly predictable and somewhat rushed. The various ciphers are intriguing, but more detective work should have been thrust onto the protagonist herself. Thus, the film is more of a light comedy of sorts and a terrific period piece for audiences of all ages that presents a somewhat alternative version of the nineteenth century that is both wonderful and inspirational.

Millie Bobby Brown has only said a few words here and there in any season of ‘Stranger Things’. In this film, however, she gets to be highly talkative and she gets to fully use her British accent. The results are outstanding. She killed it in an entirely different role. She is magnetic, she steals the show from everyone else, and especially Brown’s demeanor, poise and smile are arresting. This is a powerhouse performance that proves what an amazing actress she is. Let us hope that she remains great well into her adult years.

Henry Cavill would not be my personal choice to play Sherlock, but he admittedly did a pretty good job in a smaller, but effective role. Sam Claflin is definitely one-note as horrible Mycroft, but still very strong, which is to be expected from the always great Claflin. Helena Bonham Carter is wonderful as Enola’s mother and Louis Partridge as the love interest is actually quite memorable. Many found him annoying, but for me their dynamic was so playful and fun that it was one of the highlights of the movie.

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Enola Holmes is technically a treat to behold. The costumes are absolutely thrilling. Enola herself changes costumes many times throughout the film and both her boy uniforms and girl dresses are striking. The score by Daniel Pemberton is truly beautiful and moving. The cinematography is great and the action scenes are fun, though admittedly silly. The dialogue is expectedly excellent and quite witty. It’s a very good film that ultimately needed a bit more sophistication.