Olivia Bodnar '23
Recently, the sequel to Netflix’s Enola Holmes was released on October 27, letting us in on the second part of Enola’s journey to becoming a great detective. I myself was curious about how it would compare to the charm of the first flick, and I couldn’t help but ask myself - how could it measure up to its predecessor, or would Enola fall flat?
Enola Holmes is the brilliant, lesser-known sister of the famed master detective Sherlock Holmes. In many adaptations, Enola is either conspicuously absent from the story or a psychopathic maniac. She’s simply a side character - just the Sherlock Holmes’ little sister. However, in Harry Bradbeer’s 2020 film, our Enola was suddenly thrust into her (well-deserved) spotlight.
We saw her for what she truly is - an intensely bright young woman, desperate to live up to her older brother while furiously fighting for her own path in a world working against her. The movie worked stupendously, finally shining a light on our heroine while adding quirky and endearing elements.
The sequel opens with Enola running away from the police - a fitting beginning for our fiery, troublesome protagonist - and so our story begins. We learn of Enola’s hardships (a failing detective agency) and her shortcomings (a fierce independence and stubbornness which stunts her blossoming romance with the young Lord Tewksbury) while also getting a deeper glimpse into her complex mind. While trying to find the missing Sarah Chapman, Enola is also escaping the law as she is wanted for murder (which she is not guilty of, but we’d support her if she was, anyway) and attempting to ward off her big brother and his own unsolved case.
When the siblings discover that their cases intertwine, their respective missions become even more complicated and dangerous.The twists and turns of the movie are unexpected, trying to keep up with the intricacy of Enola’s mind - but the most unexpected, however, was the success of its allegories.
The vast majority of recent media try and fail to represent real female empowerment - these days even a strong female protagonist is hard to come by. Enola Holmes, however, not only includes multiple powerful women, but sends an important and compelling message to young women everywhere. Enola is headstrong and sharp, yet flawed - raised to rely on herself and herself only, she shuns anyone who could possibly have a romantic relationship with her. She gradually learns - with her mother’s help - that being independent is important, but doesn’t mean that you can’t fall in love. In fact, Enola grows to understand that she can work better with a partner - Tewksbury’s impulsivity and gentleness balance out her wit and wildness.
Besides the portrayal of healthy romantic relationships, the movie is based on a true historical event and person. The real Sarah Chapman led the 1888 Bryant and May Matchgirls’ strike and earned better working conditions and wages for women working in factories. The compelling historical context is mirrored in the movie itself - with Sarah, Enola, and Sarah’s adoptive sister, Bessie, storming out of the factory in protest followed by every woman employed there.
It’s a narrative of sisterhood, of independence, of fighting for your rights and happiness. Enola paves her own path, forces the world to listen to her, and helps other women to do the same. She is, as adequately stated by her mother’s friend, Edith, “a force of nature”, and yet she does it with such grace and demand that you can’t help but know that Enola Holmes will be back - and her message will surely ring clearer than ever.
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