Warning: This article contains spoilers for Enola Holmes
The Netflix original feature, Enola Holmes, first premiered in September 2020 to rave reviews, so it’s no surprise the streaming service is set to release a sequel, Enola Holmes 2, next month. The first film stars Millie Bobby Brown as the title character who sets out to find her missing mother, Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), despite the wishes of her eldest brother, Mycroft (Sam Claflin), to send her to a finishing school for girls.
In a role that seems tailor-made for the actress, Brown’s portrayal of the immensely independent and intelligent younger sibling of Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill), Enola, is extremely delightful to watch, and fans are rightfully excited about the sequel.
Throughout the first film, Enola continuously breaks the fourth wall as she takes viewers along with her on her adventurous plan. In what begins as a search for her mother quickly turns into a plot to save the runaway Viscount Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) as she unravels a plot for his murder. In the end, she saves him from his own grandmother, encounters her mother, who never really explains where she’s been, and then sets out on her own as a detective on the streets of London.
The sequel is set to stream in just a couple of weeks, and there’s quite a bit viewers are hoping to see.
An Explanation About What Eudoria Has Been Planning
The catalyst for Enola Holmes is predicated on the unexpected vanishing of Eudoria on the morning of Enola’s 16th birthday. While viewers are given clues regarding the details of her voluntary disappearance, the full explanation as to why she left is never fully explored in detail. Upon discovering a clue, which she believes is connected to her mother’s whereabouts, Enola locates a warehouse full of explosives and flyers advocating for women’s rights. Such insights clearly implicate Eudoria as some sort of revolutionary, but the extent is never fully explained.
When Enola encounters her mother at the end of Enola Holmes, Eudoria explains that she left to create a better future for Enola. However, she offers no further details before vanishing once more to continue the fight, again leaving Enola in the dark about what exactly she’s been doing. Hopefully, the sequel will offer some insight into what Eudoria has been plotting and whether or not Enola will be a part of what Eudoria is a part of.
A Friendly Sibling Rivalry Between Enola and Sherlock
While Enola is clearly a strong and independent character on her own, there’s no denying the common sleuth thread between her and Sherlock. There’s clearly a lot she could learn from her highly regarded older brother, who expressed interest in taking her on as his ward after Mycroft figuratively washed his hands of the situation. However, it’s unlikely Enola will be reeled in so easily, given her immensely free spirit and headstrong desire to do things on her own as she attempts to carve out her own path in the world.
If the trailer for Enola Holmes 2 is any indication, their paths will inevitably collide while working separate cases, which could lead to some very witty and good-hearted sibling rivalry. Such an occurrence would bring out the best of both characters and allow them to crack whatever case the two will be working on in the sequel.
Enola and Tewkesbury’s Relationship Blossom into Something More
Although betrothal and marriage don’t need to take shape in Enola Holmes 2, a clear match between Tewkesbury and Enola as equal partners would be something worth watching in the upcoming sequel. It was satisfying to see a movie with a smart, young female lead indifferent to a romantic relationship with her male counterpart in Enola Holmes. It’s obvious Tewkesbury sees Enola as a potential partner, but she is far too busy following her own unique path in the world to pay any real attention to his interests. The idea of romance and marriage is not at the forefront of her plans in any sense.
While there’s clearly chemistry between Enola and Tewkesbury, which the two are obviously aware of, neither have yet to address it with one another. The romantic subplot between the two in the first film was kept at bay just enough for the audience to see without fully exploring, which was refreshing given many other movies about young girls focus on romance and nothing else. Because of the hints in the previous film, however, fans can hope to see their relationship develop into something more substantial than friends in the upcoming sequel.
An Opening for Another Sequel
Enola is a delightful character to watch, and an ending to Enola Holmes 2 that would leave room for more possible sequels would be incredible for fans. The first film felt more like a pilot for a series about Enola, so another sequel makes sense. As long as the upcoming film follows in the footsteps of the original, a possible third movie would be an amazing addition in the saga of Enola Holmes.
Enola Holmes 2 will be available to stream via Netflix on November 4, 2022.