By Nancy Azzam
The sequel of Netflix’s original, “Enola Holmes”, was released on November 4, with the same lovable detective protagonist, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown, “Stranger Things”), and her love interest Tewksbury (Louis Partridge) both returning on screen.
We left off in the first film with Enola having closed her last case and opening a new case. New to this film, however, Enola also has to figure out what she wants to do with herself now.
In the first ten minutes, we see Enola engaged in yet another one of her dangerous predicaments, running away from the cops.
We are soon informed of her desire for a thriving detective business of her own, outside of her brother Sherlock’s (Henry Cavill) very well-known and prominent shadow. As with any new startup business, she, unfortunately, has trouble getting many clients with both her singular case, whose credit had gone to her brother, and the fact that she is a female in a dominantly male job market.
Soon enough, she finally takes on the case of a worried and desperate little girl in search of her older sister during the era of America’s Industrial Revolution.
The movie was playful, just like the first installment. This time around, however, the topic was a little less silly as it addressed sexism more strongly.
The film constantly left us trying to figure out the mystery of the missing girl for ourselves. Did she run away? Was she kidnapped? Is she still alive? All this left the audience focused on every detail put into the movie because, who knows, maybe the answer was right under Enola’s nose, and ours too.
Brown brings light to the movie just as she does in the first as she consistently draws us even more into the film breaking the fourth wall and making us ourselves, detectives in her perplexing case.
Even with the lovable characters and their intense challenges the characters face together, the movie did seem a bit long. At times I found myself pressing pause and being surprised to see there was a third of the movie left. Very little would happen for long stretches, though there was fast-paced action in between.
Despite the slow pace, “Enola Holmes 2” does hit emotionally, especially with the big standoff at the end. It leaves audiences with questions, a feeling of passion, and leaves us stomping our feet with the characters.
The movie was still a great film and one that is worth the time. Just brace yourself to be puzzled by her mystery, and as Enola’s mother (Helena Bonham Carter) would say, it is probably right under your nose.
The Plaid Press 