The last decade or so has brought a glut of young-adult adaptations. It’s also brought far too many new spins on Sherlock Holmes. Now, the heaps of these things have finally grown so large as to converge with Enola Holmes, the YA take on Sherlock Holmes.
Based on the book series of the same name, the film sees Millie Bobby Brown as a newly-invented teenage sister of the Holmes boys. Henry Cavill co-stars as the burliest Sherlock ever, clearly as addicted to juicing as he is morphine, with Sam Claflin as Mycroft. Helena Bonham Carter plays Mother MacGuffin, their missing mom who Enola is determined to find.
Look, no one asked for a young-adult spin on Sherlock Holmes, but as far as that goes, this seems alright. Directed by Killing Eve and Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer and with a charming cast, this is about the best you’re going to get out of “Sherlock Holmes is now related to Nancy Drew but she has a weird name and breaks the fourth wall.” At least it’s better than the slap in the face of Mrs. Columbo.
