‘Enola Holmes 2’ reviews round-up: ‘Fun, energetic’ sequel is a ‘winning return’

Enola Holmes 2 is streaming on Netflix now!

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown is back as the titular detective, based on Nancy Springer’s book series about Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister.

She’s joined once again by Henry Cavill (Batman vs Superman) as Sherlock, and Helena Bonham Carter as her mother Eudoria Holmes.

Watch the trailer for Enola Holmes 2 here:

The official synopsis reads: “Fresh off the triumph of solving her first case, Enola Holmes (Brown) follows in the footsteps of her famous brother, Sherlock (Cavill), and opens her own agency – only to find that life as a female detective-for-hire isn’t as easy as it seems.

“Resigned to accepting the cold realities of adulthood, she is about to close shop when a penniless matchstick girl offers Enola her first official job: to find her missing sister.

“But this case proves to be far more puzzling than expected, as Enola is thrown into a dangerous new world – from London’s sinister factories and colorful music halls, to the highest echelons of society and 221B Baker Street itself.

“As the sparks of a deadly conspiracy ignite, Enola must call upon the help of friends – and Sherlock himself – to unravel her mystery. The game, it seems, has found its feet again!”

Enola Holmes 2 landed on Netflix on Friday 4th November.

We’ve rounded up a spoiler-free selection of reviews to help you decide if you’d like to watch the new sequel:

 

“Enola Holmes 2 ends up doing a bit too much plot-wise, but it’s still a breezily entertaining detective romp that builds on the promise of the first movie … Enola Holmes 2 does everything a good sequel should. It doesn’t just rest on the formula, but builds on it to expand the world and right some wrongs of the predecessor. There are still flaws and slight improvements to be made, but it’s a winning return for Millie Bobby Brown’s sleuth.” ★★★★ – Digital Spy

 

“The pairing of actor and role here is just about perfect, and as much a star-making turn for Brown as her breakout performance in Stranger Things. Her Enola is a treat to be around, whether she’s running, fighting, flirting, puzzling over clues, or trying to make sense of the rituals and habits of people who don’t spend all their time solving crimes.” – Los Angeles Times

 

“Fizzing along nicely, even as it tips the two-hour mark, Enola Holmes 2 fits the mould it broke two years ago with a twisty murder mystery that’s well worth solving … Two films in, Enola is far more interesting than most on-screen Sherlocks have been in years.” ★★★ – NME

 

“Consistently surprising, thematically rich, and aided by an energetic central performance that elevates some of the slower bits, Enola Holmes 2 is the rare sequel that doesn’t take the bigger-is-better route. Instead, it doubles down on what made the first movie such a breath of pandemic-era fresh air in the first place.” ★★★★ – Indian Express

 

“Despite following the same formula as its predecessor, Enola Holmes 2 keeps up the charm and humour with a crafty mystery filled with entertaining twists and turns … . Plus, Brown is just so charismatic: with her patented droll wit, she carries the film wonderfully. And that, as Enola might say, is a job well done.” ★★★ – Empire

 

“Enola Holmes 2 mostly fails to recapture the charm of the original movie, teaming Millie Bobby Brown with Henry Cavill in an expanded role for Sherlock. What should be a high-spirited family film instead feels leaden and overstuffed, more concerned with laying the groundwork for a hypothetical sequel than spinning a quality mystery. The result has the look and feel of a traditional Sherlock story with a feminist spin, but little of the substance.” – IGN

 

“Millie Bobby Brown returns as Sherlock’s plucky sister in a charming, if mostly forgettable, follow-up to the 2020 hit.” ★★★ – The Guardian

 

“For all its narrative ornamentation and socially conscious grace notes, Enola Holmes 2 is still basically a kids’ movie about a smart and plucky girl who solves crimes. And what kind of fussbudget could have a problem with that?” Vulture

 

“Millie Bobby Brown returns as Sherlock’s little sister in this romp that is fun, energetic and just the right amount of silly.” ★★★★ – Evening Standard

 

“Despite Sherlock Holmes cautioning her against making the case about herself, it’s Enola’s personal investment—and especially her stumbles along the way—that make this second adventure so compelling.” ★★★★ – Den of Geek

 

The first Enola Holmes movie is still streaming on Netflix too, where you can also watch their Sherlock Holmes series The Irregulars.

Nancy Springer’s Enola Holmes novels are available on Amazon.