FILM: ENOLA HOLMES 3 (2026)
Rating (Anticipated): 4/5 Stars (A Grittier, More Politically Charged Mystery) Director: Philip Barantini (Boiling Point) Starring: Millie Bobby Brown (Enola Holmes), Henry Cavill (Sherlock Holmes), Louis Partridge (Tewkesbury), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Moriarty) Genre: Mystery / Political Thriller / Period Adventure
ENOLA HOLMES 3: THE MALTA CIPHER (working title) shifts the young detective away from the crowded streets of London and into the sun-drenched, politically tense island of Malta. The film is confirmed to take a darker, more mature tone under the direction of Philip Barantini, focusing on the high-stakes consequences of international intrigue.
1. The Plot: The Mediterranean Conspiracy
The central mystery takes Enola out of her element and into a more dangerous, international game.
- The Malta Connection: Enola travels to Malta (a confirmed filming location) to handle a case that intertwines her personal life with dangerous political stakes. The mission is rumored to involve a missing diplomatic figure or a stolen cipher critical to Britain’s global strategy, forcing Enola to navigate local smugglers, foreign agents, and centuries-old secrets hidden within Malta’s ancient walls.
- The Moriarty Threat: The greatest threat remains the criminal mastermind Moriarty (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), who successfully evaded capture at the end of the second film. Moriarty is confirmed to return, using the complex political landscape of the Mediterranean as a chess board to draw out the Holmes siblings. This confrontation will test Enola not just intellectually, but physically and morally.
2. Character Arcs: The Convergence of Holmes
The third installment is defined by the convergence of the three main Holmes family members:
- Enola’s Independence Tested: Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is now operating her own detective agency, but the case in Malta is too treacherous for her youthful independence. She is forced to rely on unconventional sources and recognize the limits of her solo ambition. Her relationship with Viscount Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge)—who may be abroad on parliamentary duties—becomes a source of both emotional support and potential vulnerability, as his political connections could be the key to the cipher.
- Sherlock’s Partnership: Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill) finally moves past the overprotective brother role and fully accepts Enola as his intellectual equal and partner. The confirmed return of Dr. Watson (Himesh Patel) allows the core Holmes unit to formally team up with Enola for the first time, establishing a multi-faceted family detective agency.
- Eudoria’s Return: Eudoria Holmes (Helena Bonham Carter) is expected to play a crucial role, using her knowledge of international feminist networks and revolutionary contacts to help Enola navigate the political underworld of Malta, possibly providing the key insight needed to break the cipher.
3. Tone and Cinematic Style
The new director’s influence promises a darker, more visceral experience:
- Grittier Realism: Philip Barantini is known for the tense, almost documentary-like style of Boiling Point. This suggests the fight choreography will be less stylized and the threats will feel more immediate and dangerous, emphasizing the realism of Victorian poverty and crime.
- The stakes are higher: The film focuses on the emotional maturity of Enola, moving beyond lighthearted capers to deal with the real, permanent consequences of international espionage and political treason.
Enola Holmes 3 promises to be the franchise’s most ambitious outing, using exotic locations and elevated political stakes to challenge the boundaries of the Victorian mystery genre while solidifying Enola’s position as a brilliant detective in her own right.
