Enola Holmes 3 Review — The detective still shines, even when the mystery doesn't.
Enola Holmes 3 Review: A Charming Detective Returns, But the Mystery Doesn't Always Keep Up
Story
After solving increasingly complex mysteries, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) finds herself preparing for the next chapter of her personal life. However, her wedding plans are abruptly derailed when Sherlock Holmes mysteriously disappears. What begins as a family crisis soon unfolds into an international conspiracy involving hidden treasure, colonial secrets, political betrayal and the return of the ever-dangerous Moriarty.
Set largely against the picturesque backdrop of Malta, the third installment attempts to blend romance, family drama and high-stakes detective work into one sprawling mystery. While the premise is compelling, the screenplay occasionally loses itself in its own labyrinth of clues and subplots, making the central mystery less satisfying than it initially promises.
Performances
Millie Bobby Brown once again proves why this franchise belongs entirely to her. She effortlessly balances Enola's intelligence, humor, vulnerability and fearless determination, making the character endlessly watchable even when the script stumbles. Henry Cavill remains a commanding presence as Sherlock Holmes, although his limited screen time means much of the emotional burden rests on Brown's shoulders. Louis Partridge brings warmth and maturity to Tewkesbury, while Helena Bonham Carter injects welcome eccentricity whenever she appears. Sharon Duncan-Brewster's Moriarty remains a formidable antagonist, though the character never reaches the psychological menace the narrative hints at.
Technicalities
Director Philip Barantini steps into the franchise following Harry Bradbeer's departure and opts for a noticeably more mature visual style. The cinematography makes excellent use of Malta's scenic beauty, giving the film a grander and more cinematic feel. The production design, Victorian costumes, and polished action choreography remain impressive throughout. The pacing, however, is inconsistent. The first act moves briskly before the middle portion becomes overloaded with exposition, causing momentum to dip before the finale regains its energy. The musical score complements the adventure without ever overpowering the emotional beats.
Analysis
Enola Holmes 3 tries to evolve alongside its audience by introducing more mature themes, including imperialism, political corruption, family responsibility and sacrifice. While those ambitions deserve praise, they aren't always woven naturally into the detective narrative. The film often juggles too many ideas at once, leaving emotional moments stronger than the actual mystery. Nevertheless, Enola herself remains an immensely likable protagonist whose charisma prevents the film from losing its appeal.
Unlike the first two entries, this installment feels less playful and more serious, occasionally sacrificing the breezy charm that made the franchise stand out. Even so, Brown's magnetic performance keeps the film entertaining from beginning to end.
What Works
• Millie Bobby Brown delivers another charismatic and confident performance.
• Beautiful Malta locations add cinematic scale.
• Strong chemistry between Enola and Tewkesbury.
• Family dynamics continue to provide emotional depth.
• Stylish production values and polished action sequences.
• Mature themes give the franchise greater emotional weight.
What Doesn't
• The central mystery becomes unnecessarily convoluted.
• Sherlock is underutilized despite being central to the plot.
• Some twists lack the payoff the buildup promises.
• Mid-film pacing slows considerably.
• The lighter charm of the previous films is missing in places.
Bottom Line
Enola Holmes 3 isn't the franchise's sharpest mystery, but it remains an engaging adventure powered by another winning performance from Millie Bobby Brown. While the narrative occasionally gets tangled in its own complexity, the film still delivers enough wit, heart, and visual elegance to satisfy fans. It may not surpass its predecessors, yet it proves there's still life left in Enola Holmes' detective journey—even if the series now needs fresher mysteries to keep its momentum alive.