Henry Cavill’s Enola Holmes Era Ends on a Sour Note as Third Film Gets Lukewarm Reviews

The Enola Holmes Trilogy Closes with a Whimper

Henry Cavill’s three-film run as Sherlock Holmes on Netflix has officially come to an end. The final chapter, Enola Holmes 3, dropped on the streaming service July 1, 2026, and while the franchise remains a cultural phenomenon, the critical reception suggests this particular detective saga may have overstayed its welcome.

The film currently holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes — a sharp drop from the 91% and 93% scores earned by its predecessors. It’s a rare misstep for a series that had previously been lauded for its fresh take on the Sherlock Holmes mythology, placing Sherlock’s younger sister Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) front and center.

A Summer of Mixed Fortunes for Cavill

Before donning the deerstalker for the last time, Cavill had a busy 2026. He spent much of the year filming the long-awaited Highlander reboot alongside Russell Crowe and Dave Bautista, a project that is reportedly in its final days of production. Then came In The Grey, his reunion with director Guy Ritchie, co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Rosamund Pike. That action thriller underwhelmed at the box office but has since found a second life on VOD platforms. Now, with Enola Holmes 3, Cavill’s year closes on a critical low.

Critical Consensus: The Magic Fades

Reviewers were notably divided on the third installment. Collider’s David Caballero gave the film a 5/10, calling the mystery “predictable” and a “massive drawback,” though he praised the supporting cast. ScreenRant’s Molly Freeman echoed that score, adding that Millie Bobby Brown’s performance has “lost its charm” and arguing the film is “a great case for why Millie Bobby Brown shouldn’t lead her own franchise.” Meanwhile, CBR’s Rachel Leishman offered an 8/10, claiming that Enola Holmes 3 finally fixes its biggest problem by allowing Enola to step out of Sherlock’s shadow.

The mixed reviews reflect a franchise that appears to have run its course. The original Enola Holmes (2020) was a breath of fresh air — a feminist twist on Victorian detective fiction starring the breakout star of Stranger Things. But by the third outing, critics and audiences seem to be craving something more.

What Happens in Malta

Netflix’s official synopsis reveals the plot: Enola is preparing to marry Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) when she learns that Sherlock (Cavill) has been kidnapped. She immediately travels to the island nation of Malta to rescue him, all while wrestling with her own complicated feelings about marriage. The setting change — from London to the Mediterranean — adds visual flair, but reviewers suggest the mystery itself lacks the emotional stakes of earlier installments.

Cast and Characters

The film reunites the core cast: Millie Bobby Brown as Enola, Henry Cavill as Sherlock, Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury, and Himesh Patel as Dr. Watson. Sharon Duncan-Brewster also joins as a new character, Mira Troy. Behind the camera, Philip Barantini directs from a script by Jack Thorne and Nancy Springer. The producers include Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Millie Bobby Brown herself, along with Ali Mendes and Robert Brown.

While Netflix has not officially confirmed this is the final chapter, all signs point to the trilogy conclusion. Brown, however, is not done with the streamer. She is already attached to a new spy thriller co-starring her Stranger Things co-star David Harbour, written by the writer of Adolescence.

The Millie Bobby Brown Factor

Brown’s career trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. She rose to global fame as Eleven in Stranger Things at age 12, and quickly became one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood. The Enola Holmes franchise allowed her to showcase her range beyond sci-fi, but the third film’s mixed reception raises questions about her future as a leading lady outside the Hawkins bubble.

For Cavill, Enola Holmes 3 marks the end of a chapter that saw him play a gentler, more supportive version of Sherlock. It’s a far cry from his iconic turns as Superman or Geralt of Rivia, but it demonstrated his versatility. Now, all eyes are on Highlander and what comes next for the British star.

A Franchise Valediction

There is a sense of finality surrounding Enola Holmes 3. The franchise began as a pandemic-era surprise hit, offering warmth and wit when audiences needed it most. Three films later, it ends with a shrug rather than a triumph. Still, the trilogy stands as a testament to Brown’s star power and Cavill’s willingness to play second fiddle — and for that, it will be remembered.

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, Netflix’s decision to close the book on the Enola Holmes series seems prudent. The numbers at press time are still emerging, but early viewing figures suggest strong initial interest. Whether that translates to broader cultural impact remains to be seen.

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