Enola Holmes 2 is the lively, witty, and mystery-filled sequel to Netflix’s hit Enola Holmes. Directed once again by Harry Bradbeer, the film follows the younger Holmes sibling (played by Millie Bobby Brown) as she steps out of her famous brother’s shadow to establish herself as a detective in her own right. Packed with twists, sharp humor, and historical intrigue, this sequel expands both Enola’s personal story and the Holmes family legacy.
At the start, Enola opens her own detective agency after solving her first major case in the previous film. But being young and female in Victorian London, she struggles to attract clients. Just as she’s about to give up, a matchstick girl approaches her for help: her sister Sarah Chapman has gone missing. This request propels Enola into a far bigger conspiracy than she ever imagined.
The Match Factory Mystery
Enola begins her investigation inside a London match factory. Workers, most of them women and children, are suffering from illness and exploitation. As Enola digs deeper, she realizes Sarah’s disappearance is tied to dangerous secrets about the factory’s operations. Meanwhile, her brother Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill) is dealing with his own case involving financial corruption that, unbeknownst to them at first, intersects with Enola’s.
A Dangerous Pursuit
Enola’s investigation leads her to encounters with corrupt officials, thugs, and powerful industrialists determined to keep their secrets hidden. She crosses paths with Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), who remains both an ally and love interest, helping her navigate London’s high society to unearth critical clues.
Allies and Rivals
As she gets closer to the truth, Enola finds support from her eccentric mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) and Edith (Susan Wokoma), both of whom provide her with tools, wisdom, and rebellious energy to keep going. Still, her independence and boldness often put her in conflict with her protective older brother Sherlock, creating tension between their investigative methods.
The climax reveals the full scope of the mystery: Sarah Chapman, far from being a helpless missing person, has gone undercover to expose the factory owners’ deadly practices. The illness plaguing the workers isn’t just a mystery illness but phossy jaw, caused by the toxic white phosphorus used in match production. Factory management had known about the dangers yet ignored them for profit.
Enola uncovers the conspiracy and exposes the cover-up, with Sarah’s testimony becoming pivotal in holding those responsible accountable. Together, Enola and Sarah not only solve the case but also spark real social change for women workers, echoing historical labor movements.
Meanwhile, Sherlock’s investigation into corruption overlaps perfectly with Enola’s case, proving how intertwined their worlds are. In the end, the Holmes siblings share newfound respect, acknowledging each other as equals.
The film closes with Enola gaining confidence in her abilities as a detective, her relationship with Tewkesbury blossoming, and her agency beginning to thrive. It sets up her future as an independent detective while firmly tying her into the broader Holmes universe.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a mid-credits scene introducing Dr. John Watson to Sherlock Holmes, teasing the beginning of the classic Holmes-Watson partnership. This sets the stage for potential future sequels or spin-offs. There is no post-credits scene beyond this.
Type of Movie
The film is a mystery-adventure with elements of historical drama and comedy, wrapped in a feminist coming-of-age story. It mixes detective thrills with sharp dialogue and fourth-wall-breaking humor.
Cast
Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes
Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes
Louis Partridge as Lord Tewkesbury
Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes
David Thewlis as Superintendent Grail
Susan Wokoma as Edith
Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Mira Troy
Film Music and Composer
The score is composed by Daniel Pemberton, who blends whimsical, playful themes for Enola with darker, dramatic tones for the mystery elements. The music helps balance the Victorian setting with modern energy, supporting the film’s brisk pace.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot primarily in England, including locations in London and Hull. Many exterior shots were filmed in historical industrial areas to capture the gritty atmosphere of Victorian London. The factory scenes emphasize authenticity, grounding the fictional mystery in the real struggles of working-class women.
While not a heavy awards contender, the film received praise for production design, costumes, and Millie Bobby Brown’s performance. It was nominated in categories at the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
Behind the Scenes Insights
Millie Bobby Brown also served as a producer, giving her creative influence over Enola’s development.
Director Harry Bradbeer wanted the matchgirls’ story to reflect real history, making the film part mystery and part social commentary.
Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Sherlock was intentionally warmer and more protective, to contrast with traditional depictions of Holmes as cold and detached.
The production team recreated Victorian London with a mix of real sets and CGI extensions, aiming for an immersive yet lively environment.
Inspirations and References
The film is inspired by Nancy Springer’s Enola Holmes Mysteries, particularly the novel The Case of the Left-Handed Lady combined with real historical events surrounding the Matchgirls’ Strike of 1888. The fusion of fact and fiction makes the story both entertaining and socially meaningful.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate ending has been revealed publicly, but some deleted scenes involved additional character moments between Enola and Tewkesbury, as well as extended sequences at the match factory.
Book Adaptations and Differences
In Nancy Springer’s books, Enola’s mysteries are smaller in scale, focusing on her personal growth and individual cases. The film expands these into larger conspiracies and historical backdrops to make them more cinematic. The inclusion of the matchgirls’ strike adds weight that the books did not directly cover.
Enola’s undercover infiltration of the match factory.
The explosive confrontation with Superintendent Grail.
Sherlock and Enola working together in a rare brother-sister collaboration.
The final courtroom-like revelation where Sarah Chapman exposes the truth.
Iconic Quotes
Enola Holmes: “The future of London, of England, of the world rests not on the shoulders of men, but on us all.”
Sherlock Holmes: “You remind me of someone… myself.”
Eudoria Holmes: “You must make some noise if you are to be heard.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
Mira Troy (played by Sharon Duncan-Brewster) is revealed as a gender-swapped Moriarty, Sherlock’s arch-nemesis, hinting at future conflicts.
The introduction of Dr. Watson in the credits scene is a nod to the beginning of the classic Holmes canon.
Enola often breaks the fourth wall, a playful device inspired by Fleabag (Harry Bradbeer also directed that series).
Trivia
Millie Bobby Brown was only 18 when producing and starring in this film.
The historical Matchgirls’ Strike of 1888 actually helped inspire modern labor laws in Britain.
Henry Cavill’s Sherlock is one of the few versions allowed to be portrayed as openly emotional, following legal battles over Conan Doyle’s estate.
Why Watch?
This film offers a blend of thrilling mystery, historical substance, and witty character dynamics. If you enjoy period dramas but want them fast-paced and playful, Enola Holmes 2 delivers. It also provides a feminist perspective, centering young women in a genre often dominated by male detectives.
