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Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes

Mystery runs in the family.

2020123 minPG-13Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
Director
Harry Bradbeer
Starring
Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter

While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Enola Holmes?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Enola Holmes streaming on Netflix.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Enola Holmes?

Enola Holmes earns 8 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Enola Holmes worth watching?

Enola Holmes' Midcredits score is the 72nd percentile of all films, from 1.4M ratings across 6 sources. 63% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

72nd percentile

Better received than 72% of films

80th percentile among Adventure73rd percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)72nd
Approval (how many liked it)70th

68 /100

72nd percentile of all films

80th percentile among Adventure71st percentile among 2020s

Critics 68 · Audience 67

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

63% liked it

70th percentile of all films

77th percentile among Adventure70th percentile among 2020s
63% rated it 7–1037% rated it 1–6

Critics 91% · Audience 71%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 5 wins / 12 noms overall

99th percentile

1.4M ratings across platforms

98th percentile among Adventure99th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$20M

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree that Enola Holmes is a light, charming family adventure aimed at teenage girls, not a serious detective story or faithful Sherlock adaptation.

Fans praised

  • Millie Bobby Brown's charismatic and physically adept performance carries the film
  • Visually polished production design, costumes, and cinematography create a vibrant period setting
  • Lighthearted, family-friendly adventure with an empowering coming-of-age message for young girls

Detractors panned

  • Feminist themes delivered as preachy, anachronistic lectures rather than earned storytelling
  • Fourth-wall breaks feel gimmicky and condescending, overused to compensate for weak plotting
  • Sherlock and Mycroft are reduced to dumbed-down caricatures to elevate the lead

What stands out

ActingDivisive78

Brown's energetic charm and screen presence praised; Cavill miscast as too warm and soft

Cinematography70

Colorful, vibrant period visuals with lovely countryside and detailed sets

Atmosphere68

Immersion in a nostalgic, romanticized Victorian London and countryside

OriginalityDivisive55

Fresh female lead in Holmes universe but follows familiar YA adventure template

CharactersDivisive52

Enola appealing but near-Mary Sue; Mycroft and Sherlock flattened into stereotypes

DialogueDivisive50

On-the-nose exposition and forced fourth-wall asides; some witty lines

Pacing48

Fast first half, but drags in middle and runs too long at over two hours

Plot and storyDivisive42

Thin, predictable mystery with little deduction; overstuffed with subplots

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 13 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Enola Holmes like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
HopefulThrillingWarm
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film is a playful and warm teen adventure that plays its material straight with sincerity, despite Enola's fourth-wall breaks.
The rideThe film maintains a steady, energetic pace with occasional moments of genuine tension, building to an emotionally cathartic reunion.
StructureThe story follows a conventional arc: setup (mother's disappearance), confrontation (escape and investigation), resolution (facing the antagonist and finding mother).

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you feeling inspired and optimistic about Enola's independence and future.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% (this title) · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

7% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeEnola's search for her mother and her involvement with a young lord form a mystery that she investigates through clues and disguises, while her coming-of-age and flight from restrictive norms drive the story.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfComingof age
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Coming of age · 5% of filmsFreedom · 5% of filmsPurpose · 9% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeEnola steps into her own identity as a detective and independent woman, pushing back against the restrictive roles society expects her to fill.
StanceThe film wholly affirms Enola's coming-of-age and independence, treating her defiance and intellect as admirable strengths.

The world

19th centuryUrbanInstitutionalDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernFolkForeground music · original score · Daniel Pemberton
SettingVictorian London, 1880s — elite homes, finishing schools, and the underground of the suffragette movement
MusicThe score combines a jaunty, upbeat main theme with folk-inflected melodies during train and countryside scenes, reinforcing Enola's plucky spirit.

Content guide

Is Enola Holmes okay for kids?

PG-13

Enola Holmes is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some violence” (MPAA). As of August 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (40/100), sexual content at minimal (8/100), language at minimal (12/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (16/100) and frightening material at mild (34/100). Overall it is heavier than 7% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 30 other countries
  • UK12
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12
  • New ZealandM
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Argentina+13
  • Belgium12
  • Czechia12+
  • Hungary12
  • ID13+
  • IndiaU/A 13+
  • LTN-13
  • LU12
  • MYP13
  • Netherlands12
  • PhilippinesR-13
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • PRPG-13
  • RO15
  • SingaporePG13
  • South Africa10-12PG
  • Spain12
  • Taiwan保護級
  • TH13
  • Türkiye13+
  • VIPG-13
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 9% of all filmsHeavier than 7% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 40%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 8%
Profanity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 5%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 15%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 34%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 40% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Enola Holmes have?

MovieCove's classifier found 4 depicted content warnings in Enola Holmes: Gore or body horror (moderate), Child abuse (mild), plus 2 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGore or body horror
MildChild abuse

Cast and crew

Who is in Enola Holmes?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Millie Bobby Brown
as Enola Holmes
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Henry Cavill
as Sherlock Holmes
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sam Claflin
as Mycroft Holmes
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Helena Bonham Carter
as Eudoria Holmes
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Louis Partridge
as Tewkesbury
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Adeel Akhtar
as Lestrade
Fiona Shaw
as Miss Harrison
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Frances de la Tour
as The Dowager
Burn Gorman
as Linthorn
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Susan Wokoma
as Edith

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Enola Holmes?

Movies like Enola Holmes include Enola Holmes 2 (2022), Enola Holmes 3 (2026) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Jack Thorne, and most are stories about detectives.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 6 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Enola Holmes?

2.7K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: detective. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.