Written by Jack Thorne, directed by Philip Barantini, and packed with exotic Maltese locations, audiences would hope Enola Holmes 3 comes out swinging. Built around the improbable kidnap of Sherlock Holmes, played by the soon to be Highlander Henry Cavill, this threequel struggles to get off the blocks from the off. Millie Bobby Brown might be on a high-octane charm offensive as the eponymous Enola, while Louis Partridge returns as her fiancée Lord Tewkesbury, but nonetheless this Netflix film feels insubstantial.
The number of heavy hitters onboard to make this happen should give Enola Holmes some backbone, but relying on Millie Bobby Brown to orchestrate and execute miracles for just under two hours is a tall order. Jack Thorne is a revered dramatist with countless projects under his belt including Adolescence, while Philip Barantini also comes with an arsenal of awards in tow. The problem is that none of that flair is there on screen, and if anything, Enola Holmes 3 is the equivalent of easy listening.
Production design might be breathtaking with the sun-kissed idea of Malta as a backdrop, but on more than a few occasions when those real-world locations outshine a storyline that rarely pauses for breath. The idea of having Superman kidnapped puts this threequel on the backfoot from the get-go, and no number of sly looks to camera from Enola will make audiences forget that.
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From her breakout role in Stranger Things through to the underrated Damsel also for Netflix, this force of nature has creatively carved her own furrow with fortitude. She is convincing throughout Enola Holmes 3 and never gives off the impression of an actor on autopilot. Something that can be said for everyone on screen who seem fully committed to squeezing as much pathos out of the project as possible.
Helena Bonham Carter and Henry Cavill might not have as much screentime, but they bring an essential gravitas to proceedings, allowing Bobby Brown to take a breather from acting her heart out. Embracing moments of physical comedy or breaking a fourth wall at every opportunity and making her performance feel effortless. However, even her efforts fail to disguise a wafer-thin story, that barely gets out of first gear, despite giving the illusion of being packed with plot.
As a result, audiences might get the impression that Enola Holmes 3 is on cruise control. All the pieces of this predictable plot do slot together, but with the talent of Philip Barantini behind the camera and Jack Thorne on script duties, audiences might feel shortchanged by the end credits. As Enola buckles under the weight of social expectations and puts aside her intellect to settle down, signalling an ignominious end for this vivacious female detective.
Enola Holmes 3 is now streaming on Netflix