Enola Holmes 3, the latest installment in the Netflix movie series, is a disappointing addition to the franchise. While the first two movies were enjoyable surprises in a sea of forgettable streaming content, Enola Holmes 3 feels like a flat, wedding-centric side story with a mystery that exists out of obligation. The film's narrative fails to engage with its central dilemma of whether or not marriage is right for the young detective, Enola Holmes, who has come into her own and is now focused on assisting the downtrodden and addressing social issues.
One thing that immediately stands out is the shift in directors. Phillip Barantini takes over from the previous directors, and it's evident that the reins have been handed over to someone else. The film feels like everyone involved is fulfilling a contract, with characters appearing briefly before being sidelined or showing up randomly. This is particularly noticeable with the Maltese man, Mikiel Mizzi, whose character and performance are reduced to a punchline of repeating his name over and over again whenever introducing himself.
The film's central mystery, which involves the kidnapping of Sherlock Holmes in Malta, is not particularly engaging or suspenseful. The whodunit department is lacking in surprises, with the film relying on returning character cameos rather than delivering compelling twists. The fact that the film pushes anything related to Malta's struggles almost becomes borderline insulting.
The film's focus on a destination wedding in Malta between Enola and her upper-class House of Lords boyfriend, Tewkesbury, feels like a distraction from the central dilemma. The wedding itself is not particularly interesting, and the film fails to explore the complexities of Victorian-era marriage or its ongoing conflict in Malta. The performances and casting remain strong, but the overall quality of the film is evident.
In my opinion, Enola Holmes 3 is a step down from the previous two installments. The shift in directors results in less flashiness, wit, and style, and the film fails to deliver on the quality of the first two movies. While the performances are still entertaining, the overall narrative is bland and unengaging. The film's focus on a wedding and a kidnapping feels like a distraction from the central dilemma, and the film fails to explore the complexities of Victorian-era marriage or its ongoing conflict in Malta.
Personally, I think that the film's failure to engage with its central dilemma and its reliance on returning character cameos are its biggest flaws. The film feels like a flat, wedding-centric side story with a mystery that exists out of obligation, and it fails to deliver on the quality of the first two movies. However, the performances are still entertaining, and the film may be enjoyable for those who are simply looking for a light, entertaining movie.
