Director: Philip Barantini
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill and Helena Bonham Carter
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
Few characters in English literature are as beloved as Sherlock Holmes. Following his introduction in 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s sleuth has created an elementary legacy. From a personal perspective, I find it easy to relate towards stories of the iconic detective. I remember forming a strong bond with a grandmother that adored the detective in literature. A big fan of Sherlock, she enjoyed talking about a detective solving murders that shock. Without a doubt, she was passionate about seeing detectives solve crimes with knives out. Like Enola, my grandma loved seeing detectives solve puzzling mysteries in the Victorian Era. It didn’t take long before I bonded with a grandmother that appreciated mysteries detectives investigated. An inspirational guide, I admired a grandmother that took pride in a detective without prejudice whose stories left her satisfied. While my grandmother always considered herself to be part of Sherlock Holmes’ fandom, she found the character’s sexism to be a big problem. She criticized the sense and sensibility of a character that treated women poorly. Her dream was to one day see a movie about the detective focusing on little women. However, death brought my grandmother’s love for the detective towards a closure. When she passed away from Cancer, my grandma never got to fulfill dreams of seeing a feminist take on her favourite character. The detective became a symbol of my strong bond with a deceased relative. No matter how hard I tried, I could never face the sad loss of a grandmother that died. As puzzling as the Zodiac case, my grandmother’s death was a heartbreaking fact that I found hard to face. Years later, I treasure a detective that’s become a heartwarming reminder of my grandmother.
As someone treasuring memories of a grandma that loved Sherlock Holmes dearly, I adored “Enola Holmes 3”. Released in 2026, Philip Barantini’s latest movie honours the detective’s legacy. Packed with breathtaking production, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a powerful period piece. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Millie Bobby Brown, who embodies a feminist detective. Although “Enola Holmes 3” is a spectacular sequel, it isn’t a flawless film. Its unevenly paced, lacking momentum of best films in the franchise. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of the legendary detective.
“Enola Holmes 3” continues adventures of a female detective solving a mystery. Millie Bobby Brown embodies Enola Holmes, a female detective that excels at solving mysteries. When she gets married to Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), Enola takes a break from her profession. However, Enola’s break is disrupted when she seeks to find her missing brother. Faced with a tough case, Enola questions love for a profession she used to embrace.
Philip Barantini is fascinated with the stories of murder mysteries. His iconic film “Villain” offered powerful depictions of gangsters that return to life of crime following prison. With “Enola Holmes 3”, however, Barantini created his first Sherlock Holmes movie. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt to bring a female heroine to the universe of Sherlock Holmes, but he pulls it off seamlessly. Using captivating cinematography, Barantini captures a female sleuth seeking to solve a mystery. Evoking Harry Bradbeer’s “Enola Holmes”, Barantini effectively uses montages to capture a feminist detective searching for homes. For instance, montages elevate the detective search scene. During this unforgettable scene, Enola seeks clues seeking to resolve her brother’s disappearance. It brought to mind heartwarming memories of a grandmother that loved solving murder mysteries. Montages are complicated techniques. As Ang Lee’s “Sense & Sensibility” suggested, montages elevate commemorated Jane Austen adaptations. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Barantini captures hardships that female detectives are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Enola Holmes 3” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive detective movies you will ever see. One area where the film improves upon its predecessors is the production-design. Evoking Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women”, Barantini effectively uses costumes to capture the strong transformation of a woman. Throughout the movie, Enola’s costumes showcase her powerful bond with her brother. For instance, costumes elevate the Sherlock reunion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Enola bonds with her brother reuniting after several years of separation. It reminded me of my powerful bond with a grandmother that appreciated crimes detectives investigated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere honouring a detective’s career. Through phenomenal production, Barantini honours a detective conducting an investigation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Enola Holmes 3” is a sequel that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most movies about Sherlock Holmes rarely give women opportunities to solve murder mysteries. For instance, Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” portrayed women as damsels in distress that depend on male detectives to overcome stress. Thankfully, however, “Enola Holmes 3” avoids these pitfalls. Evoking Harry Bradbeer’s “Enola Holmes 2”, Barantini uses breaking the fourth wall monologues to create a commemorated female detective. For instance, the fourth wall breaks elevate the mother separation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Enola expresses grief over being separated from her mother at an early age through a monologue. It reminded me of my feelings of grief when my grandmother passed away leaving me emotionally devastated. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques. As Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” suggested, monologues elevate whodunit murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Barantini honours a detective that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Millie Bobby Brown delivers one of her best career performances as Enola Holmes. Following her breakout turn in “Stranger Things”, Brown has proven a gifted child actress with an aptitude for portraying heroines. With “Enola Holmes 3”, however, she takes on her most complex role. It is not easy to portray a female detective seeking to resolve a mystery but she succeeds immensely. With captivating expressions, she conveys the bravery, intelligence and free-spirited persona of Sherlock Holmes’ mystery-solving sleuth sister. It’s an unforgettable performance from one of the most talented child actresses working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Brown, the supporting cast is also spectacular and worthy of appreciation. Henry Cavill is excellent, infusing depth into a fresh depiction of Sherlock Holmes. Louis Partridge is fantastic, bringing romantic tension to the movie as Enola’s love interest Tewkesbury. And finally, it’s hard to forget Helena Bonham Carter. As Enola’s mother, she brings wisdom to the movie.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “Enola Holmes 3” can’t honour a legendary detective with a lasting legacy. Barantini’s decision to integrate romantic subplots into the movie is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty decision, scenes that capture Enola’s romantic relationship with Lord Tewkesbury aren’t as engaging as her journey to resolve a murder mystery. As Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice” suggested, romantic subplots elevate Jane Austen adaptations. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s a cliffhanger that fails to bring the movie towards a resolution. Whereas this cliffhanger elevated David Fincher’s “Zodiac”, it clashes with tone of this movie. At worst, it seems intended merely to set up future sequels in the franchise. Therefore, “Enola Holmes 3” can’t honour a legendary detective readers adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Sherlock Holmes will definitely enjoy “Enola Holmes 3” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular sequel, it honours a detective that’s special.
Centuries following the introduction of a celebrated detective with crimes to be investigated, it’s a riveting reminder that stories of women deserve to be told in a male-dominated genre that’s globally appreciated.
As powerful as Enola’s desires to find her missing brother, it has inspired me to recover several years after the sad death of a grandmother that passed away from Cancer by celebrating fond memories of a commemorated relative whose lifelong love for literature motivated me to chase dreams of becoming a successful writer.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 