Enola Holmes is another Netflix project after Stranger Things for youth sensation Millie Bobby Brown which is on the cusp of becoming a franchise. The Netflix original film is soon turning itself into a franchise. It seems like Millie Bobby Brown is the saving grace of Netflix as both of her collaborations with the streaming giant have turned out to be successes. Everyone knows about Stranger Things but Enola Holmes too performed very well and Netflix was impressed by its performance. The film has gathered a little fan club that led Netflix to greenlit a sequel. The first film came out in September 2020. Brown’s performance as Sherlock Holmes’ sister- Enola was praised. I found her performance to be inspired but the overall story of the film was kind of bland. The themes of the film were excellent though.
The misogyny in the era the film is set in, the appreciation Sherlock gets while Enola is always ignored is handled really well. From that perspective the film makes an extremely strong statement. However, if the overall story would’ve been more interesting, the film would’ve worked better. Although, all is well that ends well. Netflix has ordered a sequel and the filming for the same concluded this year. We were getting sparse updates about the sequel but last month Netflix unveiled the first poster for the sequel and soon after that at TUDUM’22 we got the trailer for the film as well. After that the film hasn’t gotten any big updates until today, the film just had its premiere and there are some fresh first reactions for sale. Well, let’s see how the film has fared.
Enola Holmes 2 – Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill Make a Great Team?
As this is just off the heels after the premiere of the film, the film doesn’t have any official rating or score, be it on IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes. The reviews from the critics have been overall positive and the critics appear to praise the performances of Henry Cavill and Millie Bobby Brown. The sequel’s story is not the best and it is a personal whether you like the first one’s story or the second. Although, the film’s screenplay has been called baggy so there’s that. Enough yapping, let’s see what the critics are saying.
Molly Freeman
Screen Rant
“Enola Holmes 2 includes more of Cavill’s Sherlock, who is more involved in the mystery of Sarah Chapman and, as a result, Enola’s life. Though Brown can lead the movie easily on her own — and she’s just as charming as in the first film — it’s a delight to see her and Cavill bring to life the sibling dynamic between Enola and Sherlock. Thorne’s script positions them as two sides of the same coin and the actors play those different, but similar, aspects of their characters very well. Their energy onscreen is ridiculously entertaining, especially in a scene where Enola helps Sherlock home after a night out.”
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter
“With the increased stakes, Enola begrudgingly seeks Sherlock’s advice. Their loving but tense sibling dynamic is one of the most interesting parts of Enola Holmes 2: Brown and Cavill have a delightful on-screen dynamic that believably replicates the caustic communication style typical between older and younger siblings. The two don’t know how to connect and often end up misunderstanding or talking past each other, and it’s in those moments that we see Enola and Sherlock’s characters develop the most.”
Arezou Amin
Collider
“Even though Sherlock Holmes is a character we have seen in many incarnations, Cavill still manages to infuse him with something entirely his own. Yes, he is still clinically detached and obviously believes himself to be the most intelligent person in any room he enters, but underneath that all is a genuine current of affection for his younger sister. Not to mention, his version of Sherlock is actually funny. It’s easy to forget in all the tough-guy action roles that Cavill actually has great comedic timing, and the scenes where he and Brown get to play off each other are some of the most enjoyable.”
Kate Erbland
IndieWire
“Despite Enola’s desire to escape the shadow of her famous big brother, her own film franchise fails to emerge from Sherlock’s lurking presence; in fact, it’s not at all clear that it’s even the intent. Co-star Henry Cavill makes for a dashing Sherlock and his scenes with Brown are adorable, but too much of the film is preoccupied with diving into his own life and profession (which has plenty of adaptations already, thanks).”
Ian Sandwell
Digital Spy
“In the books, Sherlock and Enola have an antagonistic relationship as she attempts to stay one step ahead of him. The sequel develops the warmer side of Sherlock as Enola’s ward and while it might annoy fans of the books, it’s the strongest aspect of the sequel as the pair reluctantly team up. Separate, Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill are engaging to watch, but together, their chemistry and interplay elevates both of their already-strong performances. It’s telling that the sequences of their solo investigation feel dry compared to when they’re both on the case. Fear not, this is still Enola’s show, though, with Sherlock a supporting character.”
Andrew Webster
The Verge
“Which is all to say that while Enola Holmes as a franchise isn’t particularly groundbreaking, it is a lot of fun in a very specific way. And the sequel is able to get to that fun much quicker now that we already know most of the cast of characters. Brown and Cavill in particular have a great chemistry; the two bicker like real siblings, albeit ones who are exceptionally intelligent and fiercely independent. Watching Sherlock use his astonishing skills of observation to figure out where his little sister has been is a nice twist on the character.”
Eric Eisenberg
CinemaBlend
“Millie Bobby Brown’s spunky, independent and rebellious investigator rightfully has full possession of the spotlight, and the film sets high emotional and life-threatening stakes for the character, but also impressively intertwined in the narrative is the B-plot led by Henry Cavill’s Sherlock. As Enola searches for Sarah Chapman, he is confounded by a complex scheme that is seeing money being moved around a variety of London’s financial institutions. It leans into very familiar aspects of the detective’s mythos, but finds an approach that successfully constructs a smart and unexpected perspective.”
Check out the Full Trailer for Enola Holmes 2 on YouTube
Enola Holmes stars Millie Bobby Brown in the titular role and along with her Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes. Most of the cast from the first film is returning like Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury, Helena Bonham Carter, Adeel Akhtar and Susan Wokoma are back. However, they’re not alone as there are some new faces joining the world. The new additions include Sharon Duncan-Brewster, David Thewlis, Hannah Dodd, Abbie Hern, Gabriel Tierney and Serrana Su-Ling Bliss.
Enola Holmes 2 will arrive on the streaming giant on 4th November 2022.
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