Manis: Review of Enola Holmes

Klaudia Manis

You likely already know Millie Bobby Brown from her role in “Stranger Things,” but even if you don’t, you should definitely check out “Enola Holmes.”

Based on the book series written by Nancy Springer, Netflix film “Enola Holmes” tells the story of Sherlock Holmes’ teenage sister, who takes matters into her own hands after her mother suddenly vanishes on the morning of her 16th birthday.

The film follows Enola through the streets of London, accompanied by her occasional narration and witty remarks toward the audience. 

Throughout her journey, Enola faces numerous obstacles: from avoiding her brother Mycroft’s plan to send her to boarding school – and evading the detectives sent to find her – to getting sidetracked by helping another teenage runaway escape the killer sent after him.

Aside from the film’s compelling storyline, the two themes that stand out most are independence and its critical link to gender equality. References to the women’s suffrage movement are scattered throughout the film, slowly looping Enola’s mother into the history of women’s voting rights, which eventually comes to prominence as the story wraps up.

Enola consistently defines her individualism, refusing to change herself for the sole purpose of pleasing others – at Mycroft’s mention of educating her to be the perfect wife, Enola shuts him down. 

Chasing her own path, she instead takes her mother’s disappearance as her own responsibility, not letting her other brother Sherlock’s fame or abilities overshadow her own set of skills.

On the outside, it may seem like just another mystery, but the storyline is more than what meets the eye – “Enola Holmes” is an intricate story that touches on equality, individuality and defines what it means to truly be free.