Female Heroine Brings Relevance and Charm to Sherlock Holmes Franchise
(Photo Credit: Netflix)
By Brittany Aufiero
Netflix’s “Enola Holmes,” the newest adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s notorious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, centers the detective’s lesser-known -- but equally brilliant -- little sister, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown). Released Sept. 23, the film features a star-studded cast and has profound political relevance for a period piece set in Victorian London. Director Harry Bradbeer succeeds in modernizing the appeal of the franchise, presenting a balanced film that empowers even as it maintains the elements of intrigue and mystery that fans have come to expect.
Enola Holmes is barely sixteen when she wakes up to find that her mother, Eudoria (played by Helena Bonham Carter), has vanished without a trace. Since she’s still underage, her brothers Mycroft (Sam Claflin) and Sherlock (Henry Cavill) are called in to organize her care. Mycroft arranges for Enola to complete her education and training at Miss Harrison’s Finishing School, but Enola has other plans. Determined to uncover the truth of her mother’s disappearance, she sets off on her own and must avoid her powerful brothers along the way.
In contrast to past adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s world, the film aligns itself wholly with feminist movements. In this it differs from its predecessors, including BBC’s “Sherlock,” created by Steven Moffat, which gained a reputation over its four-season run for sidelining its female characters and using them primarily as plot devices and for male character growth. “Enola Holmes” side-steps such issues entirely and takes things further by prioritizing its women and framing the actions of its men through a critical lens. Woven throughout the plot are mentions of a reform bill which, if passed, would grant women the right to vote. Overall, the film goes to great lengths to emphasize that girls and women are capable of great things.
The political undertones of “Enola Holmes” are a pleasant surprise that work to the film’s advantage. One of the most entertaining moments is when Sherlock is told to check his privilege by Edith (played by Susue Wokoma), a friend of his mother’s and Enola’s former martial arts instructor. Edith, a black woman, reprimands Sherlock how little he cares about politics, stating that his attitude is “because [he has] no interest in changing a world that suits [him] so well.” For American viewers watching during an election year, the plot is a call to action with a clear message: change will only happen if you show up to the polls and vote in November.
Ultimately, what makes “Enola Holmes” so special in a sea of franchise adaptations is Enola herself. Self-possessed, stunningly clever, and well-trained in physical combat by her unconventional mother, Enola is a heroine who has a lot to prove in a world that still views her as a member of the inferior sex. She has all of the intelligence of her detective brother but far more humanity; as shown when she elects to cease her search for her mother in order to help the young Viscount Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), a young man of noble blood who is being pursued by a persistent assassin.
Best known as the telekinetic adolescent Eleven in the Netflix original series “Stranger Things,” Brown shines as Enola. Her delivery in comedic moments is spot-on and her performance in tender moments is exquisite, allowing audiences to share in the pain and abandonment she experiences at the loss of her mother. Also worth mentioning is Cavill’s Sherlock at times also shows emotional warmth uncharacteristic of Doyle’s original sleuth. This change seems to propose that now more than ever, empathy is a valuable ability we should all be practicing.
“Enola Holmes” is a charming coming-of-age adventure. Younger viewers will see themselves in the free-spirited, daring Enola, determined to reject the expectations society has placed on her due to her gender. Hard-core fans of Doyle’s Sherlock may find themselves disappointed, since this film’s Sherlock lacks the extreme stoicism of previous depictions. Regardless, the film is well-written and well-acted, and it’s a worthwhile watch for those who enjoy their movies with a side of political commentary.
Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes, flanked by Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes (left) and Sam Claflin as Mycroft Holmes (right). Photo courtesy of IMDB.
