Netflix’s Enola Holmes 3 continues the magic that made this young-adult mystery franchise so good in the first place, and it does so in a runtime that is not nearly as long as the previous installments. While movies are as long or as short as they need to be, the latest chapter in the Enola Holmes saga remains perfectly cast, completely charming, and delightfully droll, with a star who has shown a surprising ability to carry the franchise for more than half a decade, along with delightful inspiration from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s source material.
That is not to say Enola Holmes 3 does not have a few fingerprints of franchise fatigue, as the series has begun to show some wear. The latest chapter tones down the energy and plays things far too safe, even if the film still has plenty of style and clever ingenuity. This entry is considerably darker. Yet, its charm, the satisfying twists and turns, and surprisingly smart plotting prove why this remains one of the streaming giant’s best franchise efforts, collectively.
Although one could argue that the producers took a page from Adam Sandler’s playbook by setting the new film in Malta to entice the big cast to return, the location still gives the sequel a fresh visual identity.
The story continues to follow the titular fourth-wall-breaking Enola Holmes, played by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. She explores the possibility of losing herself if she marries the love of her life. That would be Lord Tewkesbury (House of Guinness’s Louis Partridge), a brand-spanking-new member of the esteemed House of Lords. Enola is about to walk down the aisle. However, she receives some disturbing news: the man who was going to walk her down the aisle has gone missing.
That would be her big brother, Sherlock (In The Grey’s Henry Cavill), who has not been seen recently. The future Mrs. Tewkesbury is given the grave news by her brother’s assistant, a physician who seems far too overqualified for the role: Dr. Watson (The Odyssey’s Himesh Patel). Of course, Enola takes off. She displays either concern for her brother or the worst-timed case of avoidant attachment disorder the world has ever seen. In turn, she leaves Malta in search of her less brilliant sibling.
Soon, Enola realizes not only was Sherlock taken, but so was her future mother-in-law, Lady Tewkesbury (Hijack’s Hattie Morahan). Now, Dr. Watson, with the help of her eccentric mother (Nolly’s Helena Bonham Carter, who seemingly continues to pay homage to Tim Burton with every turn), sets out to save them. However, she gets more than she asked for. That would be chasing a suspected serial killer, fireworks explode in all directions, a dynamic cover of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding,” and an old friend returns, for better or worse, but really worse.
The movie is from Philip Barantini (Boiling Point), who works with a script by Jack Thorne (Adolescence, Lord of the Flies), based on the book series by Nancy Springer. Thorne keeps the charm, wit, and grit. Most importantly, he ensures the titular character continues to outgun, outsmart, and out(wo)man Cavill’s Sherlock, which is so much fun. It was smart to have Thorne adapt the third entry, considering his recent work with more mature material. The film embraces violence and darker behavior in ways the series has not before.
Some people will note that the period-piece costume designs pale in comparison to previous entries. This is simply because of the change in location. However, this almost gives the film a more modern feel. This takes away its ability to transport the audience to an immersive time and place. Though, the action surprises. The performances are charismatic and appealing. Yet even if the turns by the evil characters ham it up more than a stocked Victorian butcher shop.
Yet Enola Holmes 3 remains worth watching, especially for the millions already invested in the franchise. While it shows a few fingerprints of fatigue, the film’s darker tone, charming leads, and more mature choices suggest there is still plenty of mystery left to solve in future chapters.
You can stream Enola Holmes 3 exclusively on Netflix starting July 1st!
Enola Holmes 3 remains charming, clever, and darker than before, with Millie Bobby Brown anchoring a stylish mystery that shows franchise fatigue but still leaves room for future adventures ahead.
I am a film and television critic and a proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society, Critics Choice Association, and a 🍅 Rotten Tomatoes/Tomato meter approved. However, I still put on my pants one leg at a time, and that’s when I often stumble over. When I’m not writing about movies, I patiently wait for the next Pearl Jam album and pass the time by scratching my wife’s back on Sunday afternoons while she watches endless reruns of California Dreams. I was proclaimed the smartest reviewer alive by actor Jason Isaacs, but I chose to ignore his obvious sarcasm. You can also find my work on InSession Film, Ready Steady Cut, Hidden Remote, Music City Drive-In, Nerd Alert, and Film Focus Online.
