“Enola Holmes” may be the titular role in this Netflix series of films, but Henry Cavill brought something unique to the character’s impressive big brother. Sherlock Holmes, by and large, is typically portrayed as a bit of a self-centered prick. Cavill’s turn, however, is far more empathetic and downright sweet. Eldest brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin) becomes the legal guardian of Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) after their mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) mysteriously disappears, and is a conservative jagoff who wants Enola to obey orders and be a nice, Victorian lady. To counter, Sherlock is willing to stand up to Mycroft in defense of Enola. It’s a completely new take on the famous curmudgeon, and the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle hated it so much that they filed a lawsuit over it. Considering the film is told through the lens of Enola Holmes, we’re seeing Sherlock through her eyes instead of his own, which may explain the sympathetic light. Regardless, Cavill made the character his own and the Netflix films are better for it.
