Over the years, the character of Sherlock Holmes has graced the both the big and small screen with numerous adaptations.  With the exception of late 90’s Saturday morning Cartoon, Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century,  many Holmes stories are directed towards an adult audience. Today’s younger audience gets a Holmes story tailor made for them with Enola Holmes.

Milly Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) plays Enola Holmes, Sherlock’s teenage sister, who sets out on her own adventure and mystery when her mother disappears. Enola follows the clues from their countryside estate into the heart of Victorian London.  

Brown’s performance stands out as the highlight of the film.  Enola’s mental and physical skills would seem exaggerated on paper, but Brown makes everything she does seem flawless throughout the film.  She approaches every mystery she is presented with excitement and intrigue.  

Enola’s famous older brother, Sherlock, played by Henry Cavill (The Witcher, Man of Steel) is used brilliantly. Sherlock is used sparingly and only pops in here and there to give a tidbit of knowledge or advice to his younger sister.  While Enola spends most of the story two steps ahead of her older brother, Cavill’s Sherlock still comes across as competent and smart.  

Taking a page from the Deadpool playbook, Enola breaks the 4th wall many times in the film, bringing the audience in on her own special way of thinking. For the most part, these wallbreaks are fun, quirky, and provide the same insight that views would typically get from any other form of narration.  Only one break takes a jarring turn away from the Deadpool-esque narration and feels more like Dora the Explorer asking if you can find her backpack. 

The mystery that sets Enola off on her adventure takes a backseat as the story progresses.  The film decides to change focus from the initial mystery to one that is less about following the clues to the end and more about Enola building new relationships with the world around her. 

Stylistically, the costume and set design for Enola Holmes is stunning.  With the attention to detail given to the world building around Enola, it would not be surprising to see the film nominated for the Academy Awards in those categories.  The film makes great use of its Victorian setting by using many colors in many of the film's lighter moments and darker tones in the more serious ones.

Enola Holmes is a joyful film for the whole family.  It delivers a message of girl power and independence that will inspire young viewers.  Milly Bobby Brown’s performance is heartfelt, fun and downright entertaining.  In a cast filled with many familiar, established British actors,  Brown stands out among them all. 

Enola Holmes stars Milly Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Cam Caflin, Lewis Partridge, and Helena Bonham Carter and is streaming now on Netflix. 

RORSCHACH RATING:

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Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by), Caless Davis, Dan Rockwood, & Brandon Miller. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Enola Holmes is property of Netflix. We do not own nor claim any rights. This review was edited by Cam Smith.

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