"Enola Holmes 3" is more "mature" and "scary", says cast

The third film in the "Enola Holmes" franchise promises to present a new phase of the protagonist, played by Millie Bobby Brown, 22. In an interview given exclusively to CNN Brasil, part of the cast and the director of the feature film, Philip Barantini, commented on the work coming with a more adult, dark approach and with elements of suspense, following the maturation of the young detective. The film premieres on the Netflix streaming platform on Wednesday (1st).

Actor Henry Cavill, 43, who returns as Sherlock Holmes, says the new story shows Enola facing greater responsibilities and leaving part of her youth behind. In the new work, his character appears during his sister's wedding, investigating a lead and observing with concern the way she is treated.

"He's not very impressed with the way things are going and the way people treat Enola as if she's inferior. Sherlock is bothered by this because, frankly, it's not true. At least in his eyes. Sherlock is a very intelligent man, and Enola is a very intelligent woman. So for someone to look down on her and see her conforming to this new lifestyle and these people is a big deal to Sherlock," he said.

The actor also highlighted that fans can expect a significant evolution of the character. "I think fans of the franchise can expect a wonderful progression of Enola's story, with her fully maturing and becoming a woman. There are more responsibilities placed on her and more difficulties, as well as the obvious metaphor of Sherlock no longer being there and her needing to save him. Fans can expect a more mature story, with this wonderful style from Philip Barantini. It's time for Enola to grow up," he said.

The new phase also impacts Enola's relationship with her mother, Eudoria, played by actress Helena Bonham Carter, 60. The actress describes the character as someone enigmatic and full of contradictions.

"Eudoria is naturally mysterious and a bit like a sphinx, so you never know exactly what she's thinking. But she knows that her daughter is getting married in Malta, so she goes there, realizes that Enola is getting into trouble and tries to save the day," he said.

According to Helena, the relationship between mother and daughter is complex in the new production. "As with any mother and daughter, they have a complicated relationship, and Enola isn't exactly happy about Eudoria's arrival. Maybe because Eudoria spent a lot of Enola's life abandoning her. She's right... Eudoria is a great mother and a terrible mother at the same time."

The actress also reveals that the film explores the character's regrets. "Eudoria has a moment where she shares her guilt and her fear that by calling her daughter Enola she has placed some kind of curse on her. She fears that Enola will live up to the meaning of her name and remain alone."

Darker film
Behind the change in tone is director Philip Barantini, known for works with a more intense approach. He says that he initially didn't imagine directing a film in the franchise, but changed his mind when he realized the potential of a more adult version of the character.

"When I got the script, I thought, 'These aren't exactly the types of movies I've done in the past'. But then I read it and realized it could be really interesting. Enola is now grown up, she's about to get married, and there was an opportunity to make the movie a little more adult, darker and scarier. There's more danger and a suspense aspect," he explained.

Barantini also commented on the evolution of the protagonist and the film's visual language itself. "Enola is growing up, Millie is 21, and the characters and style of the film have changed a bit. I could just copy and paste everything that happened in the other two films for continuity, but I wanted to add some of my own style."

The director states that he brought new visual choices to the production, including more handheld scenes and a closer approach to the characters. "It's important for me to take the actors on set and say, 'Let's build this together, feel where the scene wants to go, and then let them act.' It's a very organic thing."

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Source: CNN