Netflix released (and will be releasing) some brilliant movies in the month of November 2022. One of the productions that were released at the beginning of the month was the sequel to Enola Holmes, which features Millie Bobby Brown as the protagonist, Enola. With Rotten Tomatoes rating it 93% on its Tomatometer, the film received some rave reviews. In fact, some even state that this sequel is better than the original simply because the film uses a real-life historical event as its mystery case, and also because the protagonist is more independent.

By setting itself within the historical context of the suffragette movement, the story of Enola Holmes 2 reflects on the importance of gender equality and one of the most powerful periods in history. Having stars like Brown and Helena Bonham Carter paves the way for the film to be engulfed in powerful feminism. With all these projections, one cannot avoid the powerful stances the film takes, in turn, inspiring young girls and adult women.

A Nod to The Feminist History

Sarah Chapman tells the match girls the truth about the factory's corruption. — Netflix

Now, Enola Holmes herself might be a fictional character, but the "missing girl", Sarah Chapman, played by Hannah Dodd, was definitely not. However, she was one of the historical figures who is being overlooked regardless of the tremendous work they have done to change the way in which women were treated. Enola Holmes 2 weaves the Match Girls Strike of 1888 into its plot by infusing it with fusion. As per the historical records, the strike was an action taken against "the dangerous and unrelenting" conditions that many young girls had to work in at the Bryant and May factory. With Chapman being one of the leaders that led the strike, the film ensures that this activist is given due credit. It is definitely commendable to see how Harry Bradbeer allows Chapman's character to take over the scene where she leads the strike while planting Enola amidst the other girls. This shows how the film commemorates her while reminding the audience of her acts.

In addition to Chapman's story, we also see the film portraying certain acts taken by the suffragette to fight against the patriarchy. In the incident where Eudoria Holmes (Bonham Carter) and Edith (Susie Wokoma) come to rescue Enola from prison, the use of made-up bombs was a frequent "tool" used by the suffragists. Moreover, Eudoria blasting pillar boxes also resembles a symbolic act that the suffragists practiced urging the government of the UK to let women vote and grant them their rights.

Diversity

Mira Troy at the Lyon family's ball. — Netflix

Enola Holmes 2 might be based on a story where all the main characters are white, but the film does not let this stop them from widening the borders. For those who are already familiar with Sherlock Holmes, especially the BBC TV series Sherlock that featured Bennedict Cumberbatch, the works of Moriarty might not be so new. Holmes's nemesis that taunts him was usually a white male character. However, Enola Holmes 2 takes a completely different route by introducing a black-female version of Moriarty, a.k.a Mira Troy, played by Sharon Duncan-Brewster. The brilliance of this version of Moriarty lies in her ability to blend within society, due to her gender. While Moriarty has always taunted Holmes as well as the fans of Holmes, Duncan-Brewster's version seems to be more scary and dangerous. She has already proved her sly and smart nature as well as her ability to get away with anything.

Enola Holmes 2 ends by introducing Dr. Watson, who will be Holmes's partner-in-crime, as per the original storyline. However, this is yet another character that stepped away from the general discourse of the white-male. Bradbeer has cast Himesh Patel as his Dr. Watson. It would definitely be exciting to see the inclusion of a brown main character in future sequels to Enola Holmes.

Gender Defying

Enola and Tewkesbury waits for a carriage. — Netflix

If there is a key theme that Enola Holmes seems to be focusing on it would be gender equality. To emphasize on this, the creators have ensured that they illustrate the strength of women characters. One way in which this has been done is through the protagonist herself. When compared to the original Enola in the first film, the Enola in Enola Holmes 2 has progressed immensely. While her initial attempts at running a detective agency fail due to Sherlock stealing her thunder, she ends up successfully achieving her goals. Not only does she surpass Sherlock with her brilliant fighting and detective skills, but she also ends up being of significant importance to Sherlock. This reversal of role is quite fascinating to say the least since Enola was first introduced as some who was trying so hard to follow in her footsteps. However, she ends up being someone that Sherlock looks up to. In fact, the film portrays her to be the reason behind Sherlock and Dr. Watson's union.

Another way in which gender is portrayed is through the relationship between Enola and Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge). Tewkesbury is portrayed as the foil of Enola. This contrast is very clearly seen through the way in which Tewkesbury teaches Enola to dance while Enola teaches Tewkesbury to fight. By doing so, the film has brilliantly defied the idea of gender.

Enola Holmes 2 is not only a brilliant mystery film with humor, but it is also a film that attempts to send powerful messages.