Enola Holmes 3 Review: A Promising Return for Netflix’s Young Detective

Enola Holmes 3 is one of those sequels that arrives with a built-in advantage: audiences already know exactly what they want from it. The first two films earned a loyal following by mixing mystery, humor, feminist coming-of-age energy, and breezy period adventure into something more accessible and playful than a traditional Sherlock Holmes adaptation. Based on the information currently available, the third film looks set to continue in that same appealing vein, with Millie Bobby Brown returning in the title role and Philip Barantini stepping in to direct.

It is worth noting up front that, at the time of writing, Enola Holmes 3 has not been widely released, so any full review should really be treated as an early expectations-based assessment rather than a definitive verdict on the finished movie. Still, from the announced cast, creative team, and the strength of the franchise so far, there is plenty of reason for fans to be optimistic.

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Millie Bobby Brown remains the franchise’s greatest asset. Her performance in the earlier films gave Enola a spark that made the series stand apart from more formal detective stories. She plays the character with a winning blend of confidence, curiosity, vulnerability, and mischief. Enola is clever without becoming smug, rebellious without losing her warmth, and determined without ever feeling one-dimensional. That balance is what made the previous movies work, and it is hard to imagine the third installment losing that core strength as long as Brown continues to command the screen the way she has before.

Another major draw is the ongoing relationship between Enola and Sherlock. Henry Cavill’s gentler, more emotionally open version of Sherlock Holmes has been one of the franchise’s smartest creative decisions. Rather than making him an overshadowing genius who steals the spotlight, the films use him as a counterweight to Enola’s impulsive energy. Their sibling dynamic gives the story both emotional texture and a sense of continuity, and fans will likely be hoping that the third movie continues to deepen that bond rather than treating Sherlock as little more than a familiar brand name.

Helena Bonham Carter, whenever she appears as Eudoria Holmes, tends to inject the films with welcome unpredictability and rebellious spirit. Louis Partridge also remains an important part of the series’ appeal thanks to his easy chemistry with Brown, adding a romantic thread that never overwhelms the central mystery. The presence of Himesh Patel in the ensemble is another encouraging sign, as he is an actor well suited to material that requires intelligence, wit, and understated charm.

What audiences want most from Enola Holmes 3 is not reinvention, but refinement. The best version of this sequel is one that preserves the franchise’s personality while offering a fresh case and stronger emotional stakes.

That may ultimately be the key question surrounding this third entry: can it stay fresh without abandoning the formula that made the first two movies so enjoyable? On paper, the answer seems promising. Bringing in Philip Barantini as director suggests the possibility of a slightly different dramatic rhythm. While the earlier films leaned heavily into charm and momentum, a new director can often help a franchise sharpen its tone or deepen its emotional weight without losing what made it successful in the first place.

Visually, there is every reason to expect the movie to maintain the polished style of its predecessors. One of the pleasures of the series has been its inviting version of Victorian England—less severe and dusty than many period dramas, and more colorful, kinetic, and youthful. The costume design, production detail, and lively pacing all help make these films feel approachable to modern audiences, especially younger viewers who might not usually gravitate toward classic literary or detective material.

If there is one area where the franchise can still improve, it is in the construction of its mysteries. The earlier installments were consistently entertaining, but they were not always unforgettable as detective stories. The clues, reveals, and antagonists sometimes took a back seat to the charisma of the cast and the charm of the presentation. That is not necessarily a fatal flaw—after all, this series has always been more character-driven than puzzle-driven—but a truly great third film would ideally deliver a mystery that feels as satisfying as the performances around it.

That said, entertainment value has never really been the issue. The Enola Holmes films know how to move, how to joke, and how to make their heroine easy to root for. They understand that audiences come not just for the solution to a case, but for the feeling of spending time in Enola’s world: a world where quick thinking, courage, empathy, and individuality matter just as much as deduction.

Why the franchise still works:

• A charismatic lead performance from Millie Bobby Brown

• Strong supporting turns from Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, and Louis Partridge

• A playful tone that makes period mystery feel accessible

• Fast pacing and visual polish that keep the films easy to enjoy

• An emotional core built around family, independence, and identity

So while it would be premature to label Enola Holmes 3 a triumph before its release, it is entirely fair to say that it has the ingredients of a very appealing sequel. If it delivers another clever case, preserves the warm sibling chemistry, and gives Enola meaningful room to grow, it should satisfy exactly the audience that made the first two movies a success.

Bottom line: Enola Holmes 3 looks less like a radical reinvention and more like a confident continuation of a winning Netflix franchise. And honestly, that may be exactly what fans want. If the third film matches the spirit, wit, and charm of its predecessors—while sharpening the mystery just a little—it could become the strongest entry in the series yet.

For fans of spirited detective adventures, charismatic ensemble casts, and modernized period storytelling, this remains one of Netflix’s most promising returning franchises.