Welcome to the Netflix Original Trilogy Club, Enola Holmes! It’s no mystery why the Millie Bobby Brown-led franchise has joined the ranks of only a few Netflix Originals to hit a third movie: According to the two Netflix engagement reports, the original Enola Holmes was watched by the equivalent of 13.9 million people throughout 2023, and the sequel by 21 million; plus, they were two critically well-received films, as both scored positively on Metacritic and were certified “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. As opposed to films like Damsel and The Electric State, the Enola Holmes films seem like the path forward for Millie Bobby Brown as a young burgeoning movie star in her post-Stranger Things career.
For myself, I will also add that I thought the second film was an improvement on the first, shedding the constraints of a young girl coming of age in late 19th-century British society, losing concerns about romance or her mother’s whereabouts, and moving forward with a well-tuned mystery solved alongside the greatest family ever to do it—with added screen time for Henry Cavill as Sherlock and Helena Bonham Carter as the mother, Eudoria. The tone improved drastically with a more heartfelt, dynamic, and adventurous spirit, and, as it was also the second film from director Harry Bradbeer, the sequel seemed to be more in sync with the strengths of its protagonist and more comfortable with increasing the pace, moving the camera, and tightening the edit.
So, when I read the initial plot descriptions and production changes for Enola Holmes 3, I did have some minor concerns: no Harry Bradbeer behind the camera, Sherlock being kidnapped as a major plot point, and a possible increase in romance over crime-solving with Enola’s nuptials to Lord Tewkesbury also in prime focus. The story also moves from the standard surroundings of a Holmes mystery in London to the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, which brings a far brighter seaside locale flavor to the more dark and mysterious cobblestone chaos that you may be accustomed to.
But, of course, what this franchise—including this new film—has always had is the stability of the unchanging and talented main cast (Brown, Cavill, and Bonham Carter), a successful book series to shore up the plot, and a well-defined protagonist character whose evolution as a woman and influence on her family keeps us coming back film after film. Will the chemistry and established success be enough to anchor this third installment, or will it drift off course and put the franchise’s future prospects in jeopardy?
‘Tis I who says… It’s a little bit of both, I’m afraid.
Enola Holmes 3. (L to R) Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury, Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes and Himesh Patel as Dr. Watson in Enola Holmes 3. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix ©2026
Helmed by new-to-the-series director Philip Barantini (Boiling Point, Adolescence), Enola Holmes 3 seemingly feels like a half-measure backward from the earlier films in almost every aspect that made this franchise the hit success that it is. The pace is a step slower, even for a runtime under two hours; the script seems less fun, less smart, and less layered in its construction; the edit and direction have less sense of style and creativity (especially in fight sequences); and, of course, the mystery feels less engaging when even the great Enola Holmes will stall her investigation into finding her world-famous detective brother to have a swim with her betrothed.
From the initial moments of the film, you feel like you missed out on something. Flashbacks from Enola’s memories of the time between the last film and now seem more like the movie I wanted to see: Holmes, Holmes, and newly added Dr. Watson (Yesterday star Himesh Patel) out in the streets of London breaking down a crime scene and having a great time doing it, or Enola and Tewkesbury living a life together that seems reminiscent of her playful youth at home with her mother! Instead, we get a story that seems content with pushing Sherlock to the back burner as he is kidnapped (Watson is kidnapped in the third book, by the way) after otherwise being distracted by a possible case, and a more awkward version of Tewkesbury that lacks the “Will they? Won’t they?” energy of the first two films after she never arrives at the church on their wedding day.
Instead, Enola Holmes 3 tries to replace the spunk and snark of the supporting players in Part 2—ass-kicking Edith, a Sherlock in lockstep with Enola as their cases combine, her mother’s explosion-loving insanity—with an inconsistent helping of a more measured and stoic Watson, the occasional drop-in from her mother with considerably less explosiveness and spontaneity, the complicated sidekick energy of Tewkesbury when he isn’t distracted by his own family drama, and a newcomer in political activist Mikiel (Joe Azzopardi), who brings an Inigo Montoya catchphrase-level of disdain for the British influence on Malta and wishes for his nation to be free. The action, adventure, intelligence, and speed all come down as the replacement players don’t kick as much ass or add to the skill set of Enola like her own extended family has in the past.
Enola Holmes 3. Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes 3. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix ©2026
Cavill as Sherlock, in particular, feels the most absent from the proceedings as an old rival comes back into the fray. Why would you want Enola to take on someone from their past alone when you could have them do it side by side? Is the film trying to prove a point in the growth of Enola once more as they put Sherlock in shackles? Some of the themes of the movie—such as the thought of Enola losing her name and her independence upon marrying a Lord like Tewkesbury—would suggest that could be the case, but the second film already allowed her to grow while also having Sherlock around to meet when necessary. Why take a step back while also having her distracted by the wedding and disappointing Tewkesbury at the same time? The story feels stuck between modes as Enola struggles between being guilty of not putting her fiancé’s needs above a case at the wrong time and being the headstrong, extraordinarily talented detective who needs to find the only consistent family presence in her life.
While many of my concerns beforehand did manifest themselves in the experience of seeing the film, Enola Holmes 3 is still better than your average Netflix fare, featuring characters we love to return to with actors who impress every time they are on-screen. The problem is that this installment falls short of its own franchise expectations while not utilizing the best aspects of those same characters and story traits. We are getting further and further away from the books as a driver of the plot on-screen, and maybe that is not always going to work; but if these films get further and further from what made this franchise get to a third movie in the first place, we may never get more of these films in the future.
Watch Enola Holmes 3 If You Like
- Enola Holmes
- Enola Holmes 2
- Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Films
- Young Sherlock (Amazon)
MVP
Himesh Patel as Dr. Watson
As the newest character added to the franchise, Dr. Watson, played admirably by Himesh Patel, becomes a Swiss Army knife of plot necessities in Enola Holmes 3. He can be the calming influence, the Sherlock touchstone for Enola, and even the former soldier with a history of serving the Crown’s interest.
Patel plays Watson with such dignity and grace while not being a carbon copy of the Watsons before him. He can be more than a sidekick with a certain set of skills and intelligence, almost seeming like the big brother to the younger characters whom Sherlock is perhaps reluctant to be.
Watchable with a baseline of established characters and personalities, but Enola Holmes seems to be missing some of the magic and cinematic flair of the Harry Bradbeer era. Less use of Sherlock and Eudoria and more romantic distractions make the mystery and snappiness drop a level from the previous films. Definitely the least rewatchable entry in the franchise.
