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Enola Holmes 2 Makes Henry Cavill's Sherlock So Much Better
Enola Holmes 2, the sequel to Netflix’s first adaptation of Nancy Springer’s books, follows the young Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) on a new case after the results of the first movie and also features a much better look at the series’ Sherlock, who is played by Henry Cavill. Though Sherlock was present in the first Enola Holmes movie, he had a much smaller role and largely served as one of the driving forces of the plot rather than a character of his own. In this new movie, Sherlock is much more involved in Enola’s life as well as her case.
In Enola Holmes 2, Sherlock is much more 3-dimensional than the aloof and esteemed detective he was in the first movie. When Enola reconnects with him while investigating a case of her own, she begins to gently point out some of his flaws: he is proud, untidy, and seems lonely. This assessment makes him more well-rounded and realistic than he was in the first movie. Sherlock is involved with his own case when Enola reenters his life, but the two cases quickly intertwine and the two end up working together, giving Sherlock more opportunities to interact with his younger sister rather than solving a mystery behind the scenes.
Why Henry Cavill’s Sherlock Holmes Is So Good
Sherlock Holmes is no stranger to the silver screen, but Cavill’s portrayal of the character is wholly different from the versions of Sherlock Holmes played by other actors in recent years. The Sherlock of Enola Holmes is a refined Victorian gentleman who is largely uninterested in society, yet is at the same time more than capable of fitting into it. Cavill’s Sherlock is different from many contemporary portrayals of the character, but it is also very aligned with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s vision. Enola Holmes allows Sherlock to be a thrilling and brilliant character in his own right, but by putting Enola as the main character, Sherlock also becomes the dutiful big brother who serves as a mentor as well as a protector as he walks Enola through various aspects of Victorian culture.
True to the essence of the character, however, Enola Holmes’ Sherlock is still at odds with the concept of community. Enola notes that her brilliant older brother is strikingly alone, without even Mycroft making an appearance in Enola Holmes 2. Sherlock's assessment that Enola is too wrapped up in her current case without regard to her own safety results in his advising her, “Don’t turn into me.” Being a secondary character allows Sherlock to serve as both an example and a warning for Enola as she continues to find her own ways to follow in her older brother’s footsteps without walking in his shadow.
Enola Holmes 2 Sets Up More Sherlock Improvements For Enola Holmes 3
Sherlock may not be the main character of Enola Holmes, but he experienced many character developments in this second movie that set him up to be an even more dynamic character in a future third installment. Throughout his interactions with Enola, Sherlock is revealed to be lonely, and he even suggests that his sister join his detective agency at the end of the movie, prompting to set him up with a prospective flatmate: Dr. John Watson, played by Himesh Patel. Watson is an integral part of all Sherlock Holmes stories, and his introduction is a great indication that Sherlock’s character will be further explored as the story goes on.
Netflix seems to understand how to highlight Sherlock as an interesting character without overshadowing the titular hero, which is something Enola struggles with throughout the movie. Fortunately, she seems to have discovered her own path, and judging by Doctor Watson’s introduction, it’s a good bet that she will join forces with Sherlock again in another sequel. Sherlock’s continued presence in the Enola Holmes movies will allow Enola to solve a greater caliber of mystery while also creating more opportunities to explore his character.
