Enola Holmes 2 is just as much fun as it takes audiences on a different adventure in the newest installment of the hit Netflix franchise.
When I watched Enola Holmes back in 2020, I knew it was a hit film in the making and would be the start of a new Netflix franchise. This film is certainly no exception and made for a fun late night viewing on Saturday. We’re getting into the time of year where audiences are going to have a lot to choose from. Trust me, you cannot do wrong with this winning franchise as the game finds its feet again.
One Holmes sibling notwithstanding, the sequel reteams everyone that made the first film a success. It’s so much fun watching Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) and Sherlock (Henry Cavill) working cases together. They make an amazing team together but at some point, the fun is going to come to an end. You and I both know this because we know Sherlock’s career trajectory from the any Arthur Conan Doyle books. Whether Sherlock has time to work a case going forward remains to be determined. But for now, I’m going to enjoy it while I can. What I’m trying to say is: I NEED NETFLIX TO ANNOUNCE ANOTHER SEQUEL RIGHT NOW!
This time around, Enola has opened her own detective agency. Not surprisingly, potential clients laugh her off because of her age, because she’s a girl, or simply because she’s not her brother. It’s Victorian England so naturally, there’s bound to be some sexism at play! Anyway, just as she’s set to end her agency for good, a matchstick girl asks her to find her missing sister. This case is not easy by any means and it takes is into the world of London’s factories, music halls, and high society. Oh yeah, Enola just happens to stop by 221B Baker Street but you probably already knew this. After all, two Holmes siblings are better than one. Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) is also back in the picture, too.
Not only are we returning to the Victorian era but this time around, the film mixes history with fiction. If you know absolutely nothing about the Match Stick Girls’ Strike of 1888, you’ll be getting a history lesson. As an FYI, 1899 saw the The Great Dock Strike take place along with the subsequent formation of unions. I like how they weave this into the story. Who is Sarah Chapman in real life? At the same time, the film–which has a strong sisterhood theme as it is–sends a very strong message about finding strength in unity but that’s enough of a history lesson for now!
Composer Daniel Pemberton delivers another solid score as usual. In terms of the film’s production design, I love what Michael Carlin has done in bringing 221B Baker Street to life. Mind you, we’ve seen the place in various films and TV series but this version is absolutely phenomenal. Meanwhile, in another aspect of the production, Edith (Susan Wokoma) gets a moment to shine.
Enola Holmes 2 bends multiple interconnected genres but it’s still a fun and entertaining watch that you’ll never want to end.
DIRECTOR: Harry Bradbeer
SCREENWRITER: Jack Thorne
CAST: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis, Louis Partridge, Susan Wokoma, Adeel Akhtar, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and Helena Bonham Carter
Netflix launches Enola Holmes 2 on November 4, 2022. Grade: 4/5
Please subscribe to Solzy at the Movies on Substack.
