Enola Holmes on Netflix - What Parents Need to Know

One of my favorite detectives, Sherlock Holmes, is back on the small screen except this time, it’s his little sister, Enola Holmes, who is taking center stage.  Wait, what?  You didn’t know that Sherlock had a little sister?  Well, he does now, thanks to Enola Holmes, a Netflix original movie.  Based on a series of books written by Nancy Springer, the movie will be available to stream beginning September 23, 2020.  However, even though it’s primarily about Sherlock’s little sister, is it kid friendly?  I’m answering these questions and more in my spoiler free parent movie review.  With a PG-13 rating that includes violence, here’s what parents need to know about Enola Holmes on Netflix.

Enola Holmes on Netflix - What Parents Need to Know

As Sherlock Holmes likes to say, the game is afoot.  Only this time it’s his little sister saying that famous phrase.  In this particular adaption, the Holmes’ siblings reunite when their mother (played by Helena Bonham Carter) disappears.  But this is one reunion that isn’t without conflict.  That’s because Sherlock (played by Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (played by Sam Claflin) aren’t close to their younger sister, Enola (played by Millie Bobby Brown).  While Mycroft tries to put Enola in a boarding school, Sherlock tries to locate their missing mother.  Enola, not one to sit idly by, decides to conduct her own search.  In the process, she ends up forging her own path and helping Viscount Tewksbury (played by Louis Partridge) dodge a man who’s trying to kill him.  Sounds like a mystery that only a Holmes can solve 🙂  Keep reading to find out whether or not Enola Holmes is appropriate for younger kids.

It’s Rated PG-13

Enola Holmes is rated PG-13 which means that some material is not suitable for children under the age of 13.  For example, it may contain violence, nudity, sensuality, and/or language.  Here, the movie contains mostly violence, but more about that below.

Language

The movie contains minimal use of profanity.  I only heard two curse words:  “hell” and “damn.”  

Sexually Suggestive Scenes

There aren’t any sexually suggestive scenes in Enola Holmes.  Enola is shown in her undergarments in a few scenes, but her undergarments covered more than bathing suits cover these days.  There is also a reference to a hip regulator and a bust enhancement, but that’s about it.  There’s a hint of a romance but it doesn’t go beyond a kiss on the….hand.

Violence

This is where the movie earns its PG-13 rating.  You can expect plenty of action and adventure in this particular movie.  Unlike other women of that era, Enola wasn’t raised to learn how to embroider and how to be a “fine lady.”  Instead, her mom taught her how to engage in martial arts.  So it’s no surprise that there are several action sequences, including a harrowing scene on a train.  And that isn’t all.  One character is slapped in the face and there is an attempted drowning and attempted strangulation. There’s also a scene where a character is shot, which means that weapons like a gun are used.  However, while there is violence in this movie, it’s not graphic violence that is shown in the Netflix series Cursed.

Overall Thoughts

I really enjoyed watching Enola Holmes.  While it’s a fun mystery and adventure movie, there’s also a great message behind it, especially for young women and girls.  At that time, women weren’t valued as highly as men.  And sadly, one could make the argument that women still aren’t valued as highly as men.  There are some excellent quotes in the movie that really stuck with me.  As Enola tries to help the Viscount, she tells him “If he (referring to the bad guy) catches you, your life is in danger.  If he catches me, it’s a life that I don’t want.”  Meaning she’ll be sent back to the boarding school.  Enola is also told by another character: “He (the Viscount) is worth more, but you give me greater pleasure.”  While this statement refers to the Viscount’s social status as a Lord, this also minimizes Enola’s worth as a female.    But as Sherlock wisely tells Enola “The choice is always yours.  Whatever society may claim, it cannot control you.”  And that’s a message that everyone, especially young women, can learn from.  While the movie is violent, it’s not graphic, so overall, this movie is appropriate for 12 year olds and older.  But as always, use your discretion.

About Enola Holmes

England, 1884 – a world on the brink of change. On the morning of her 16th birthday, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) wakes to find that her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) has disappeared, leaving behind an odd assortment of gifts but no apparent clue as to where she’s gone or why. After a free-spirited childhood, Enola suddenly finds herself under the care of her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), both set on sending her away to a finishing school for “proper” young ladies. Refusing to follow their wishes, Enola escapes to search for her mother in London. But when her journey finds her entangled in a mystery surrounding a young runaway Lord (Louis Partridge), Enola becomes a super-sleuth in her own right, outwitting her famous brother as she unravels a conspiracy that threatens to set back the course of history. Based on the beloved book series by Nancy Springer, ENOLA HOLMES is a dynamic new mystery-adventure that introduces the world’s greatest detective to his fiercest competition yet: his teenage sister. The game is afoot.