TL;DR: Enola Holmes is the rare Netflix franchise that actually treats your kids like they have a brain. It’s fast-paced, visually stylish, and features a protagonist who values her own wit over a romantic subplot. While it’s rated PG-13, most parents in the Screenwise community find it appropriate for the 10-14 age range. Think of it as "Fleabag" for the middle school set—minus the inappropriate parts, plus a lot of Victorian martial arts.
Quick Links:
- Watch the first one: Enola Holmes
- The sequel: Enola Holmes 2
- The source material: The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer
- Similar vibes: Wednesday or Knives Out
If you’ve been living under a rock (or just haven't been forced to share a Netflix profile with a tween lately), Enola Holmes is the story of Sherlock Holmes’ teenage sister. When their mother disappears, Enola has to outsmart her famous brothers—Sherlock (played by Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (played by Sam Claflin)—to find her.
The movies are famous for Enola breaking the "fourth wall," looking directly into the camera to explain her logic or give us a "can you believe this guy?" look. It’s a smart device that keeps kids engaged because it feels like they’re in on the secret. With a third movie reportedly on the horizon for 2026, now is the perfect time to catch up.
It’s not "brain rot." In a world where Roblox and 15-second TikTok clips are competing for their attention, Enola Holmes actually manages to hold it for two hours.
- Millie Bobby Brown: For this generation, she is the "it" girl. Most kids know her from Stranger Things, and seeing her play someone witty and energetic rather than traumatized and telekinetic is a huge draw.
- Independence: Enola is constantly told what to do by the men in her life, and she constantly ignores them. That’s basically the dream for every 12-year-old.
- The Mystery: The puzzles aren't overly simplistic. The movies respect the audience's intelligence, which is a nice change of pace from the "dumbed-down" content often marketed to this age group.
The PG-13 rating often makes parents of 10-year-olds hesitate. Here’s the no-BS breakdown of why it got that rating:
- Violence: There is quite a bit of Victorian-era "brawling." Enola is trained in Jujutsu, so there are fights involving hitting, kicking, and the occasional blunt object. In Enola Holmes 2, things get a bit darker with a murder mystery involving a factory, and there’s a scene involving a dead body that might be a bit much for very sensitive younger kids.
- Intensity: There are moments of peril—explosions, narrow escapes, and corrupt police officers.
- Language: Very mild. You might hear a "damn" or "hell," but it’s mostly period-appropriate posh British insults.
Community Data Insight: Our data shows that while the official rating is PG-13, over 65% of Screenwise parents approve this for kids aged 10 and up. It’s a "soft" PG-13 compared to something like The Batman or even some of the later Marvel movies.
The first movie is a solid introduction to the character. It focuses heavily on Enola’s relationship with her mother (played by Helena Bonham Carter) and her first real brush with the "real world" outside her country estate.
It’s a great way to introduce kids to the concept of the Suffragette movement without it feeling like a history lecture. It also touches on the Reform Act, making it one of those rare films where you can actually say, "See? Movies can be educational," without your kid rolling their eyes into the back of their head.
The sequel is actually better than the original in some ways. It’s based on the real-life Matchgirls' Strike of 1888. It deals with systemic corruption and the plight of the working class.
If your kid is starting to get interested in social justice or history, this is a fantastic entry point. It’s a bit more complex, and the stakes feel higher. Sherlock also has a much bigger role here, which is a treat for the parents who are just there to see Henry Cavill in a waistcoat.
If you’re trying to use the "movie-to-book pipeline" to get your kid to read more (a classic parent move), this is a goldmine.
The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer are actually quite different from the movies. They are shorter, a bit more focused on the "disguise" aspect of Enola’s sleuthing, and perfect for middle-grade readers.
Check out our guide on the best mystery books for middle schoolers
Let’s be real: these movies are not masterpieces of cinema. They are "Netflix Movies"—they’re bright, they’re loud, and they’re designed to keep you clicking "Next."
However, compared to the absolute sludge that often passes for teen entertainment these days, Enola Holmes is a breath of fresh air. It’s refreshing to see a female lead whose primary goal isn't to get the guy (though there is a very cute, very chaste romance with Lord Tewkesbury).
One thing to watch out for: the "Sherlock Fandom." If your kid gets obsessed, they might start looking up the original Sherlock Holmes stories or the Sherlock (BBC) series. Just a heads up—the BBC version is much more adult in its themes, drug references, and psychological intensity.
Learn more about the difference between Enola Holmes and Sherlock BBC
If you watch this with your kids, here are a few ways to turn it into a conversation rather than just passive consumption:
- Historical Context: "Do you think it was actually that hard for women to own businesses or live alone in the 1880s?" (Spoiler: It was worse).
- Digital Wellness Angle: Enola has to rely on her memory and "ciphers" (codes). Ask your kid, "How would Enola have solved this case if she had an iPhone?" It’s a fun way to talk about how tech changes the way we solve problems.
- The Fourth Wall: Ask them why they think Enola talks to the audience. Does it make them feel more connected to her?
Enola Holmes is a "Yes" for most families. It’s high-quality, empowering, and genuinely entertaining for both parents and kids. It’s the kind of content we want to see more of: smart, slightly challenging, and completely devoid of the "mean girl" tropes that plague so many other teen shows.
Next Steps:
- Add Enola Holmes to your Netflix queue for the next rainy Saturday.
- If your kid loves the mystery aspect, check out Nancy Drew or The Mysterious Benedict Society.
- Take the Screenwise Survey to see how your family's media consumption compares to other intentional parents in your community.