Reviewing the movie Enola Holmes from a feminist perspective

Enola Holmes on Netflix, written by Harry Bradbeer and published in 2020, was undoubtedly a creative interpretation of the infamous Holmes family. The way the youngest Holmes brother is highlighted in this particular movie, along with the addition of humor and action, make it entertaining. It might be a good idea to watch the movie that made everyone laugh again since Enola Holmes 2 will be released later this year.

Enola Homes is much more than just another detective movie, even though this one seems pretty funny and chill, and Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Enola, breaks the fourth wall by speaking straight to the audience. In fact, if one looked closely, one could see the feminist beliefs that were interwoven into the movie. Enola Holmes not only transports us to a time when women did not have the same rights as men, such as the opportunity to vote.

While the movie doesn't specifically address this because it focuses so much on Enola, it does highlight the suffrage movement in the UK at this time. In addition, there are several feminist interpretations of the movie that deserve praise. As Foltz so eloquently puts it, this movie: is an action-packed emotional adventure with a hint of feminism that is full of emotion as it follows little Enola as she faces an unfamiliar world.

Enola As a Young Feminist

It is made clear right away in the movie that Enola Holmes is not your typical little girl. No matter the period—the Victorian era or the twenty-first century—a figure like Enola is difficult to find. She is not scared to break the law, which is a major factor. Enola is a strong character because she is willing to speak up for her brothers. One symbolic act she performs before fleeing is leaving a caricature of Mycroft behind. This shows that she isn't scared to go against the rigid guidelines that Mycroft stands for.

Enola is another example of a persona that blurs the lines between genders. She might not be as good at stitching as other young women of that era, but she is a genius in the realms of science, literature, and martial arts—all skills that are useful in a harsh society. Enola's cross-dressing is just another important example of how she defies patriarchal social conventions. The voice of this sixteen-year-old persona helps her stand out from the others without a doubt. Enola is compared to Sherlock in terms of her ability to solve mysteries, and Bradbeer even suggests that she might be able to outperform him.

What Role Did Eudora Holmes Play in the Suffragette Movement?

The movie makes several allusions that suggest Eudoria Holmes (Helena Bonham-Carter), the matriarch of the Holmes family, is active in the suffrage movement. For starters, she tells her small daughter that "the future is up to us," which is "an apt metaphor for what the film could entail for the legendary detective." In reality, it exemplifies how the suffragette movement helped to advance numerous rights for women.

Sherlock encounters Edith, a friend of Eudora while looking for his mother and sister. They discuss how politics is important to their worldviews, and Edith even exposes Sherlock's naiveté by saying that he had "no interest in changing a world that suits" him so well. This stirring message expresses the underlying idea or precept behind Eudoria's disappearance. All of these emphasize the fact that she is depicted as a fictional figure who is integral to the suffragette movement.

Viscount Tewkesbury: A Male Transgressor of Gender

There are numerous explanations for why Viscount Tewkesbury won over the audience (Louis Partridge). He challenges the idea that men should be masculine, which is a major factor. If Enola and Tewkesbury were closely examined, one might be able to discern how Tewkesbury serves as Enola's antagonist. Enola isn't scared to jump from the train, but Tewkesbury appears to be second-guessing himself. While Tewkesbury is highly skilled at using the resources found in nature to create a tasty dinner, Enola is unable to cook. Furthermore, Willen excellently demonstrates how in one scene, when the camera solely focuses on the two protagonists' seats:

"Tewkesbury sits cross-legged next to Enola, who is seated with her legs uncrossed and leaning forward with her forearms resting on her knees. Compared to Enola, his posture seems more appropriate for a "decent" Victorian woman."

This unnoticed element nicely encapsulates the movie's central concept of gender-bending. The notion that gender is not binary and that it is socially constructed to "manage" people is the focus of all of them. Enola Holmes met and even exceeded the expectations of the audience. It's a fantastic movie that makes you think deeply. As Wynne observes:

The 16-year-old aspiring detective is undoubtedly a feminist without even knowing the term, and the core of the movie is feminism.