'Enola Holmes 3' Review: A Charming Mystery That Asks If Enola Can Be a Lady Without Losing Herself

Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
Wedding bells? Not so fast! Just when it looked like Enola Holmes is about to begin a new chapter of her life, Enola Holmes 3 threw her into another thrilling mystery. Sherlock Holmes suddenly goes missing, the wedding plans are pushed aside, and Enola finds herself travelling from the streets of London to the stunning island of Malta. Packed with clues, secret codes, dangerous enemies and unexpected twists, the film wastes no time pulling viewers into another detective adventure.
But finding Sherlock is only the beginning. Every clue leads Enola to a bigger conspiracy involving long-buried secrets and the return of a devious villa, who once again proves she is always several steps ahead. Just when one mystery seems solved, another unfolds, making the story fun, fast-paced and full of surprises. The beautiful Maltese backdrop also gives the franchise a fresh new look while keeping its signature detective charm alive.
Beyond the mystery, Enola Holmes 3 also explores Enola's biggest personal dilemma yet, can she become Lady Tewkesbury without losing the independent detective she has always been? With emotional family moments, exciting action sequences, clever investigations, and plenty of adventure, the film offers an entertaining ride that gives fans another reason to step back into Enola's world.
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But wait, the mystery has only just begun. From hidden clues and secret codes to the villain's mind games and long-buried secrets, Enola Holmes 3 keeps throwing one twist after another, making every step of Enola's journey more dangerous than the last.
Enola Holmes 3's mystery grows far beyond Sherlock's disappearance
What begins as Enola Holmes' wedding quickly turns into another case she never saw coming. Just as she is about to begin a new chapter with Lord Earnest Tewkesbury, Dr. Watson arrives with shocking news that Sherlock Holmes has gone missing. Enola immediately rushes to Sherlock's room in search of clues, where she discovers the word "Khost" written in Morse code on the mirror along with his cryptic notebooks. As she begins piecing together his trail, she remembers Sherlock had been keeping a close watch on a sergeant during the wedding celebrations.
But before she can get any answers, the sergeant is murdered after uttering the cryptic word "Wrath," setting Enola on a trail that leads from London to Malta. From mysterious fires and hidden war medals to coded messages and suspicious strangers, the film keeps introducing new clues that make Sherlock's disappearance feel like only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
One of the film's biggest strengths is how it slowly builds the mystery instead of revealing everything at once. Every clue opens the door to another question, making the investigation feel like a proper detective adventure rather than a straightforward rescue mission. The shift to Malta gives the story a fresh identity, with its historic streets, colourful carnival, hidden caves, and stunning coastline becoming an important part of the investigation instead of just serving as beautiful locations. Director Philip Barantini keeps the mystery engaging by balancing clever detective work with moments of action and emotion.
The stakes become even higher when Moriarty returns, proving she has been several steps ahead all along. Instead of simply hunting Enola, she carefully manipulates every move, turning the young detective into an unwilling player in a much larger game. As the investigation uncovers long-buried secrets, it becomes clear that Sherlock's disappearance is only the beginning of a conspiracy that stretches far beyond the Holmes family.
But if Sherlock's kidnapping was only meant to lure Enola into Moriarty's game, what is she really searching for? The deeper Enola digs, the more she realizes this mystery is about far more than saving her brother.
More than a detective story, it's Enola's biggest personal test
As the mystery unfolds, Enola Holmes 3 reveals that Sherlock's disappearance is only one part of a much larger conspiracy. Enola's investigation takes several unexpected turns, from the kidnapping of Lady Tewkesbury to her chase through the colourful Maltese Summer Carnival after a mysterious woman in purple, who is later revealed to be Moriarty's spy. The clues eventually lead to the Battle of Khost, where British and Maltese soldiers stole a tonne of Afghan gold from an Afghan shrine and covered up the crime.
The murdered Sergeant N. Smith, the same man who whispered "Wrath" before dying, is also revealed to have been Moriarty's inside man. The film slowly pieces together how Moriarty negotiated her release from prison in exchange for recovering the hidden treasure, using Sherlock's kidnapping and Enola's investigation to unknowingly lead her straight to it. Rather than relying only on big twists, the screenplay carefully builds the mystery through war medals, coded diaries, ripped records, and forgotten history, making each revelation feel earned.
While the detective story remains engaging, the film also spends a lot of time exploring Enola's own journey. Throughout the story, she finds herself caught between becoming Lady Tewkesbury and staying true to the independent detective she has always been. There are several heartfelt conversations between the couple, with Tewkesbury making it clear that he never wanted Enola to change for him but simply wanted her to be herself. However, Enola's character feels a little different this time around.

Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
Compared to the earlier films, she leans more on Eudoria, Dr. Watson and even Tewkesbury for support and reassurance. While that does not take away from her intelligence or determination, it does make her feel slightly less fearless and self-reliant than the quirky detective audiences fell in love with in the first two films. At the same time, these relationships give the film its emotional core. Sherlock and Enola's sibling bond remains one of the story's biggest strengths, making their reunion after the final confrontation genuinely satisfying. Enola's emotional reunion with Eudoria also stands out, while Tewkesbury is given more depth as he comes to terms with his father's involvement in the hidden Afghan gold.
Himesh Patel's Dr. Watson quietly becomes one of the film's most dependable characters, using his wit and observations to help Enola at every step while also offering emotional support whenever she begins to lose confidence. Together, these moments remind viewers that beyond the treasure hunt, conspiracies, and detective work, Enola Holmes 3 is ultimately a story about family, trust, and staying true to oneself.
Thankfully, the emotional journey isn't the only thing carrying the film. Strong performances, breathtaking Maltese locations, and polished technical work ensure the final act is just as rewarding as the mystery that leads to it.
Millie Bobby Brown once again leads a visually stunning adventure
Millie Bobby Brown once again proves why she is the heart and soul of the Enola Holmes franchise. She effortlessly balances Enola's sharp detective instincts with her emotional vulnerability, making every clue she uncovers and every difficult decision she faces feel believable. While the writing makes Enola lean on others more than in the previous films, Brown's natural charm and confidence ensure the character never loses her spark.
Himesh Patel is a welcome addition as Dr. Watson, bringing intelligence, warmth, and a quiet sense of humour that makes him more than just Sherlock's trusted companion. Henry Cavill once again slips effortlessly into the role of Sherlock Holmes, bringing his trademark calmness, sharp wit, and brilliant deductive skills to the screen. Although Sherlock spends much of the film missing, Cavill makes every scene count and shares some heartfelt moments with Millie Bobby Brown that remind viewers why the Holmes siblings remain the emotional heart of the franchise. Sharon Duncan-Brewster also shines as Moriarty, portraying a villain who is calm, calculating, and always thinking several moves ahead. Louis Partridge adds emotional depth to Lord Tewkesbury, while Helena Bonham Carter's Eudoria once again leaves a strong impression despite her limited screen time.
From a technical standpoint, Enola Holmes 3 is easily the most visually striking film in the series. The shift from London's dark streets to Malta's colourful cities, historic buildings, scenic coastline, and hidden caves gives the mystery a fresh and adventurous feel. The cinematography captures both the beauty of the island and the tension of Enola's investigation, making every location feel important to the story. The background score complements the mystery beautifully, building suspense during the investigation before transitioning into more emotional and triumphant themes as Enola uncovers the truth and finally rescues Sherlock.

Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
Credits: John Wilson/Netflix
The action sequences, especially Enola's confrontations with Moriarty, are well choreographed without taking attention away from the detective elements. The costume and production design also deserve praise for bringing Victorian-era Malta to life, while the orchestral background score perfectly complements the mystery, building suspense during the investigation before shifting into a more emotional and triumphant tone as the story reaches its conclusion.
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The final act brings together everything the film has been building towards, with Enola uncovering the truth behind the hidden Afghan gold, rescuing Sherlock and Lady Tewkesbury, and facing Moriarty in an intense hand-to-hand fight. The emotional reunion between Sherlock and Enola is one of the film's most satisfying moments, reminding audiences why the siblings remain the emotional core of the franchise. The closing wedding overlooking the Maltese sea offers a heartfelt ending, while the reveal of The Wrath of Adeline (1863) beneath the water leaves just enough mystery to tease another adventure.
Overall, Enola Holmes 3 may not surpass its predecessors, but it delivers an entertaining blend of mystery, emotion, and adventure. Backed by strong performances, beautiful Maltese locations and plenty of twists, it makes for a satisfying one-time watch for Enola Holmes fans while leaving the door open for another exciting mystery.

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Have you watched Enola Holmes 3 yet? What did you think of Enola's biggest mystery yet and the final tease for the next adventure? Let us know in the comments!
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Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui
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