REVIEW: ‘Enola Holmes 2’ is a Rambunctious Sequel

The first Enola Holmes cracked open Sherlockian mystery and adventure in a fun and unique way. Now, Netflix has brought a rambunctious sequel to meet it, and it’s easy to say that it builds on everything that worked well from the original. Directed by Harry Bradbeer, with a screenplay by Jack Thorne, and a story by Bradbeer & Thorne, Enola Holmes 2 stars Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Adeel Akhtar, Helena Bonham Carter, and Susan Wokoma.

If you’re unfamiliar, the film series is based on the Enola Holmes Mysteries’ Book Series by Nancy Springer and follows Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister fresh off the triumph of solving her first case. Now, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) follows in the footsteps of her famous brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill), and opens her own agency only to find that life as a female detective-for-hire isn’t as easy as it seems. For some, she’s too young and for others too fair, but her sense of justice helps her shine a spotlight on one girl’s case.  When a penniless matchstick girl offers Enola her first official job: to find her missing sister, she takes it. The reality is that no one cares about these girls, and in fact, everyone in power is actively working to stamp them out.

But this case proves to be far more puzzling than expected, as Enola is thrown into a dangerous new world — from London’s sinister factories and colorful music halls to the highest echelons of society and 221B Baker Street itself. As the sparks of a deadly conspiracy ignite, Enola must call upon the help of friends and her brother too.

While I won’t say he’s the best part of the film, that honor of course belongs to Enola and Brown’s performance as her, I will say that Henry Cavill’s expanded role as Sherlock Holmes is pure joy. There is a love he brings to his character, that showcases his respect and admiration for the character. While we’ve come to expect this from Cavill’s performances, there is a softness and care that he brings to this iteration of Holmes that shines even brighter than in the first film. He’s a big brother, he’s smart, he’s messy, and we finally get to see the chaotic side to Sherlock that makes him all the more endearing.

Sherlock’s expanded place in the story yields more screen time for Cavill yes, and more importance to the narrative, but his stature also casts a shadow on Enola as she attempts to strike out on her own. That said, Enola Holmes 2 manages to grant its lead character agency and purpose outside of her brother, even as their cases begin to intersect.

The bond between the two, and particularly the sibling chemistry between Cavill and Brown make their scenes and story a tight one with a lot of heart. In fact, as we see the rest of the family, both Sherlock and her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) we can differentiate the strength that Enola brings to the table that only she can bring.

On top of amazing familial connections, Enola Holmes 2 also packs in the action and the intrigue. While the crux of the story is about how small the world sees women and girls, it hammers home the point that no matter how small those around you think you are, you can still bring change. It’s a ripple effect in the story that starts as a personal goal for Enola to prove those who reduce her by her gender and age wrong and expands to the good trouble that young women can make. The beauty of these points is that while there is a lead of romance, it ends up becoming second to intelligence and mystery. But don’t worry, the romance that is there is well executed.

These larger themes are packaged in spot-on comedy, action, and compelling set design. This makes the film a fantastic and fun look at feminism, capitalism, and ultimately family, and does it without berating its audience consistently. The only issue with the films is how many threads are being pulled at one time. We see larger Sherlockian cornerstones revealed, and multiple large plots and the speed with which it all unraveled makes it hard to appreciate them all fully.

A rambunctious sequel with heart and a fight, Enola Holmes 2 manages to deliver on everything the first film did and more. In fact, I’m ready for the game to find its feet a third time. Specifically, with that one final act reveal.

Enola Holmes 2 is streaming now, exclusively on Netflix.