Enola Holmes 2
Now a detective-for-hire like her infamous brother, Enola Holmes takes on her first official case to find a missing girl, as the sparks of a dangerous conspiracy ignite a mystery that requires the help of friends — and Sherlock himself — to unravel.
- Released: 2022-12-23
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Mystery
- Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Helena Bonham Carter, David Thewlis, Susan Wokoma, Adeel Akhtar, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Hannah Dodd, Abbie Hern, Gabriel Tierney, Serrana Su-Ling Bliss, Róisín Monaghan, David Westhead, Sofia Stavrinou, Himesh Patel, Catriona Chandler, Lee Boardman, Tim McMullan, Tony Lucken
- Director: Harry Bradbeer
Comments
- chukkacabra - 25 January 2024
A Worthy Enola Holmes Sequel
It continued to show the colorful and lighthearted vibe from the first Enola Holmes but not in the quantity. Henry Cavill's Sherlock Holmes got a little more screen time in the sequel which I liked, but it was by no means a starring role. Enola Holmes 2 leaned less into the adventure role and embraced a more Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery with a dark atmosphere. I didn't like Enola Holmes 2 as much as the first but it was by no means disappointing. The web of lies was more intricate and harder to decipher, making the movie harder to follow along, but made the plan reveal even greater. It seemed to be the exact opposite of the first Enola Holmes as this sequel felt like it had its ending set, and the rest was just filled in. - adellyalakshita - 2 August 2023
Distracting
Enola's unevenly colored hair distracted me so much. Its taken away the feeling for being inside a movie that settings in 1885. Does hair dye even existed back then? No, i don't think so... then why is the makeup department of the production didn't notice enola's hair ?? I wish it could be more even and in one color just like sarah chapman's hair perhaps make it in a different color, but a grown out colored bleach hair isn't gonna set the tone for the movie. And she is the main character of the movie!! I mean come on... they could do more with their production, but sarah chapman's character is amazing tho.. i like her role and acting. - natashamasters - 7 April 2023
A sequel worth watching
I was apprehensive to watch this as I thoroughly enjoyed the first Enola Holmes and she is back with her quick witted brilliance. Millie Bobby Brown plays her role beautifully it is almost like it's written just for her!
The main story line was written brilliantly with lots of twists and turns as expected with the first film. It kept me guessing.
The only think I will say is I felt it would have been better made into a series rather then a movie. It felt a little long, although it matches the first movie almost to the minute in run time I'm unsure why but for me it just seemed to go on and on.
** No spoilers ** but I did love the ending and I feel Sherlock Holmes fans would too. - ygwerin1 - 29 December 2022
Remember the Match Girls
Just how many viewers of the movie Enola Holmes 2, the tale of the fictitious female detective and sister, of the eponymous but equally fictitious, detective Sherlock Holmes.
Would come away from the film with memories and considerations of, the horrendous working conditions endured by 19th century working women, Combined with their struggle against those conditions, leading to the first ever strike by women workers, combined with the successful formation of the first ever female trades Union.
Enola Holmes only case she can secure when endeavouring to establish her Detective Agency, is that of a young girl Edith desperately searching for her lost sister Cicely, while her brother Sherlock Holmes case apparently has far more import and gravitas, because it concerns matters of state security.
Of course as is the way with modern cinema history's nose is tweaked to promote both female and black empowerment, A) Enola Holmes, Female detective, sister of famous brother.
B) Eudoria Holmes, mother of Enola, Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes.
In the current vernacular mum and daughter are both kick arse women, with the daughter being the proverbial chip off the old block.
C) Mira Troy, character managing to tick not just 1 but 2 of the seemingly required boxes, as a black woman she's "more intelligent" and formidable and independent, as Sherlock Holmes new nemeses.
The men are not left out of this scenario as two of the principle players in the Sherlock Holmes universe, his companion Doctor John Watson, and the police detective Lestrade, are both played by male Asian actors.
These considerations are something of a modern day conceit, when compared to the historical realities of the times in question.
But I can still enjoy them nonetheless as entertainment, and they also serve to underline those historical considerations, of what could be compared to what was.
Back to the actual history contained within the movie, and woven into the cases of our two detectives, the young woman sought by Enola Holmes, worked at a large match factory named Lyon's.
The major match manufacturer of the 19th century in Britain, was named Bryant & May.
Lyon's had changed its process to use a different phosphorous, which was cheaper to make, easier to use, much more profitable, and made the work far more injurious to the health of its young female workforce.
The Match Girls of the 19th century were among the poorest paid workers in the country, and in some of the very worst of working conditions.
Bryant & May changed its production process to use a White Phosphorous, which increased the health risks to its employees dramatically. The principle medical condition resulting from its introduction, became known as Phossy jaw a severe softening of the jaw bones leading to extreme deformation.
In the film we see a mass protest of the Lyon's firms female employees, leading to a walkout and strike.
A Sarah Chapman became the very first female strike leader, bringing her fellow Bryant & May workers out, leading to the very first female workers Trades Union, the Matchmakers Union. - jkwalsh-49349 - 12 December 2022
A fine romp with a good twist, great for kids
One thing I've noticed from other reviewers is that they appear to have lost sight of one important fact... this is a kids/young people's film. It's not meant to be earth shattering. Far too much emphasis has been laid on huge blockbuster films with dark deep and meaningful leanings, this (whilst it does have its dark aspects) is a lighter enjoyable film with moments of comedy, adventure and intrigue suited to a younger audience (and the odd mid 40s person enjoying a break from reality).
It is however fun, keeps you watching, Enola's character as she starts to mature and move within society (from being a very sheltered un-worldly girl in the 1st film) is both amusing and slightly awkward at times and the breaking if the 4th wall is easier and less cringy.
Everyone seems so hung up on how sherlock is played but you have to bear in mind the target audience, you couldn't have a relatively lighthearted film (although I do like the pro independent women theme) with a sherlock as we have seen in other adaptations or as in the books, as he would be far too much a crotchety anti social arrogant grump. The fact it is Henry Cavill is a treat so that also detracts from the darker version of the Holmes we know and admire in other versions.
I think that this film has given all the characters a chance to be more fleshed out and by using actors that are known and loved for thier range and long term skills mixed in with newer up and coming actors is a delicate balance and one that has been achieved well. Nice to see Tewkesbury growing up and developing into a solid dependable character too!
Oh and I loved the twist of the villian, nice to see it reframed for modern times!
I watched this tonight after watching the 1st film yesterday and I am a solid fan of this sequel. I hope there is a 3rd film as this is a real Sunday afternoon/snow day escape! - JayWolfgramm - 2 December 2022
Why People Like this is the Real Mystery
This movie is not for me. I do not care for 4th wall breaking protagonists. Unless it is especially funny or charming, a 4th wall break simply takes me out of the story and ruins my emersion. I also don't care for movies that begin with action in the middle of the movie, only to freeze frame and cut back to the real beginning of the story. Unless the return to that scene gets completely recontextualized on the repeat, it just seems like a lazy way to start off with a hook.
I likewise don't like it when the reveal of the story is obvious. I don't like it when the criminal behind it is introduced in such a way that they are clearly the culprit. I would say that this is a good mystery for real little kids, but the movie rocks a PG-13 rating, so the children that would be fooled are not watching the movie.
I don't like it when supposedly smart characters make such stupid decisions when it comes to things that should be common sense. For example, the way the main character acts a crime scene. I don't like when characters I'm supposed to be rooting for are more unlikable than the villains. I don't like when a movie feels like it is preaching to me, they are a bit on the nose with how poorly women were treated back in those days. It communicates a fine message, but they hammer it in a little too much.
So yes, there is a LOT that I don't like in this movie. But on the positive side, the mystery isn't overly convoluted. One action leads to the next quite well. The movie doesn't waste too much of the audience's time, it is well paced. I like most of the main characters, it is just some of the side characters that get on my nerves. Cavil and Brown have good chemistry together and have more screen time together than the previous. And the final reveal isn't utter nonsense.
I guess I am just a big fan of the Sherlock Holmes character, and am very particular about his portrayal. This one isn't awful, but if you're looking for a definitive Holmes mystery adventure, then this is just a red herring. - MrDHWong - 24 November 2022
Continues the character's story in the same light-hearted manner as the previous film
"Enola Holmes 2" is the sequel to the 2020 film "Enola Holmes" based on the book series "The Enola Holmes Mysteries" by Nancy Springer. Once again starring Millie Bobby Brown in the title role, it continues the character's story in the same light-hearted manner as the previous film.
Following the events of the first film, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) decides to set up her own detective agency, hoping to solve mysteries for the citizens of London. However, due to her young age and frequent comparisons to her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill), Enola is unable to find any clients willing to take her seriously. As she contemplates shutting down her business permanently, Enola is visited by a young factory girl named Bessie (Serrana Su-Ling Bliss), who asks Enola to help find her missing sister. Enola immediately accepts the case and is taken by Bessie to her place of work; a matchstick factory experiencing an outbreak of typhus fever. While there, Enola soon discovers a shocking conspiracy that makes her realise she may not be able to solve this new case all by herself.
Back in 2020, I was quite surprised at how much I liked the Netflix film "Enola Holmes", a movie that focused around the adventures of the younger sister of the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Though the story wasn't anything extraordinary, what I thought made it so enjoyable was Millie Bobby Brown's endearing, energetic performance as the title character, a sharp contrast to her more downbeat portrayal of Eleven on "Stranger Things" that we were all used to up to that point. Considering the film is based on a series of books, it was inevitable that there would be at least one follow-up produced in the wake of its success, and now two years later we have "Enola Holmes 2", a sequel that contains most of the same winning ingredients as its predecessor.
Now a few years older, we get to see Enola not only trying to subvert society's expectations of 19th century women but also struggling to make a name for herself as a detective in her own right. The very fact that she is constantly being compared to her brother further adds to her frustration, as she starts to realise that this uphill battle is going to be even more difficult that she had initially anticipated. This added some necessary dramatic weight to the story because Enola learns that nepotism isn't always a guaranteed road to success. If anything, she is at a huge disadvantage having Sherlock Holmes as her brother, since others will instantly view her as the younger sister stuck in his shadow. I like the way the film treats this as a universal issue that any youngest siblings can relate to, especially those who wish to show that they are just as capable, perhaps even more so, than their older family members.
Like with the previous film, Harry Bradbeer continues with his fast-paced, Guy Ritchie-influenced directorial style that helped contribute greatly to what made the original so appealing in the first place. There were numerous parts where the film could have slowed down and become tedious but thankfully there isn't a single moment that drags since the action moves at such breakneck speed. Bradbeer also places better emphasis on the main plot this time, with fewer side stories that could potentially lose the interest of younger viewers. While there are some minor parts that didn't really go anywhere, they didn't distract too much from what was important to the overall story, and even then they were at least easier to understand this time around. Again, I must point out that haven't read any of the original "Enola Holmes" books so I'm not entirely sure how accurate this film is to the source material, but from what I can tell it makes for another entertaining adventure mystery film for teens to young adults.
In her second outing as the main character, Millie Bobby Brown is just so much fun to watch as the loveably peppy Enola Holmes. Every scene she is in, Brown always looks like she is having the time of her life playing this young detective. Whether she's intently investigating a missing person's case or putting up her dukes against any adversaries who dare to take her on, there's a lot to appreciate in the amount of panache Brown brings to the role. Additionally, it was pretty funny to see her occasionally break the fourth wall to address the audience on any comical situation she is about to experience, both good and bad. Brown is truly one of the most talented actresses of her generation, and both these two films and "Stranger Things" are clear proof of this.
It was also nice to see Henry Cavill play a more prominent role this time as the legendary Sherlock Holmes. In the previous film, he appeared to be more laid back than in other depictions of the character whereas here he seems to be taking things a lot more seriously than before. This time we actually get to see Sherlock do what he is best at, and that it is using his famous powers of deduction to help solve a mystery. Cavill holds his own alongside Brown but never so much that it feels like he is trying to upstage her. There is a believable brother-sister bond between the two of them, which made watching them work together a considerably more enjoyable experience.
Unfortunately, Sam Claflin is notably absent as Mycroft Holmes due to apparent scheduling conflicts. This is a huge shame because one of my favourite things about the original film was watching Sherlock and Mycroft's conflicting views on how they should be supporting their younger sister. Instead, Sherlock is all on his own without any explanation given as to why Mycroft suddenly isn't in the picture anymore. Sure, this did allow for more emotional scenes of Sherlock and Enola growing closer as siblings, but there should at least be some solid reasons provided as to how come Mycroft isn't here to offer his own opinions on what path Enola should be taking at this point in her life. No matter how hard I tried to blank him out, the film still felt like something was missing without Mycroft contributing something to the story. Hopefully Claflin will be able to reprise the role if a third film is ever green lit.
As a continuation of the original film, "Enola Holmes 2" succeeds in pretty much the same way, with its charming take on the title character by its lead star and good use of pacing to keep things moving along smoothly. There is definitely potential for this series to become a long-lasting film franchise, but that's only if the actors and filmmakers are able to maintain this streak for the length of time required for such a commitment. At the time of writing this, there is no confirmation of a third entry but considering how successful both of these films have been, I would be surprised if Netflix doesn't give the go ahead anytime soon. So long as the entire original cast return next time, especially Sam Claflin as Mycroft Holmes, then I am all for it.
I rate it 7/10.
