15 ‘Enola Holmes’ Quotes You Can Use In Daily Speak

Sherlock Holmes has fascinated fans for over a century, both in print and on screen. With the new Netflix film, Enola Holmes, his lesser-known teenage sister looks destined to give the world’s most famous detective a good run for his money.

Starring Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown as the titular character, the captivating and refreshingly vibrant mystery film also stars Henry Cavill (The Witcher) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You) as Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes respectively, as well as Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown) as their mother, Eudoria, and Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve) as the strict headmistress, Miss Harrison.

Set in England’s Victorian era, Enola Holmes is brilliantly acted and deftly-directed (by Fleabag’s Harry Bradbeer) with marvelous costumes and settings. Written by Jack Thorne (HBO’s His Dark Materials), the film premise is based on The Case of the Missing Marquess, the first book in American author Nancy Springer’s non-canon YA novel series (2006-2010) which features the mystery-solving adventures of a teenage Enola Holmes, who is 20 years younger than her already-famous brother, Sherlock.

Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes books (1887-1927) never ever mentioned a Holmes sister, the BBC series Sherlock (2010-2017) did feature a psychopathic “secret sister” named Eurus Holmes in their fourth and final season.

Enola Holmes, created by Springer specifically for her novel series, is thankfully far from being a psychopath. Delightfully portrayed by the charismatic Brown, who also served as a producer on the film, this Holmes sister is every bit as smart and witty as Sherlock, and definitely far more energetic and appealing than the stuffy Mycroft. Thanks to her strong-willed mother, Enola is not only efficiently home-schooled in arts and sciences, she is also well-trained in hand-to-hand combat, as well as cipher coding.

Just as Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes blockbusters (2009 and 2011) revived much interest in the pipe-smoking detective—Sherlock and CBS’ Elementary (2012-2019) to name but two—I dare say Enola Holmes will have viewers craving for more cinematic adventures from the teenage sleuth. (Besides the fact that Springer has five more novels in her series, Henry Cavill also makes a mighty fine Sherlock Holmes.)

Without further ado, here’s 15 quotes from Enola Holmes that are practical for use in our daily lives. (Needless to say, SPOILERS ahead if you haven’t seen the film.)

15 ‘Enola Holmes’ Quotes You Can Use in Daily Speak

1. “’Tis I.”

—Enola Holmes to the audience, breaking the fourth wall (which she does so throughout the film) to inform viewers that she is in the guise of a widow named Ms May Beatrice Posey in order to get invited into the Tewkesbury mansion. It’s a classy Victorian-style phrase you can use in present day to announce yourself whenever you turn up at an event or Zoom call.

2. “The game is afoot!”

—Enola, again to the audience, reciting a phrase commonly credited to Doyle’s The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905), although it was William Shakespeare who first used the phrase in King Henry IV Part I (1597). You can cite this to declare any process, movement or investigation that is underway.

3. “You’re being emotional. It’s understandable, but unnecessary.”

—Enola to Sherlock—repeating the phrase that the latter said to her at their family estate—after the famous detective declares that he really cares for her when they meet again at her finishing school. Applicable to use on anyone who is being over dramatic or embarking on emo-overdrive.

4. “Sometimes you must dangle your feet in the water in order to attract the sharks.”

—Sherlock Holmes to Enola, knowing that she is investigating the Tewkesbury case and offering advice to his sister as “one detective to another.” It’s a great piece of reasoning that could be used for situations that may require risk-taking.

5. “Why do we want to attract the bloody sharks?”

—Viscount Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) making a very good point to Enola, when she suggests that they should go to the young marquess’ home and offer himself as bait to lure out the people who wish to harm him, in accordance to her brother’s above-mentioned advice. Good as a response when someone suggests you deal with unsavoury people who perhaps should be left well alone.

6. “Don't be ridiculous.”

—Sherlock to a police officer, when the latter tries to stop him from walking through Scotland Yard into Inspector Lestrade's office. Suitable as retort for any situation or remark that you feel is, well, ridiculous.

7. “Try to be excited, not disappointed at the possibilities of something new.”

—Eudoria Holmes to Enola, as the feisty woman guides her daughter through a science experiment at home when the latter was much younger. Good advice to relay to anyone who is afraid of facing or trying anything new that pops up in life.

8. “There are two paths you can take… Yours or the path others choose for you.”

—Eudoria to Enola again, another good life lesson the latter remembers from her mother before the young sleuth decide to take matters of her life into her own hand, rather than let her older brothers take control. Good quote to remember yourself, besides offering it as advice to anyone who may be in need of it.

9. “Paint your own picture... Don't be thrown off course by other people.”

—More wise counsel from Mama Holmes to Enola, although the latter’s will to help others when they can’t do it themselves overruled her mother’s advice when she decides to save Tewkesbury when he is hounded by an assassin on the train they are on. Another advice we can chew on personally, or dish out to friends who are easily influenced or distracted by other people’s opinions.

10. “I don’t think. I know.”

—Enola to Tewkesbury, when the naive viscount questions if she just “thinks” that his father was murdered and that he will be next. A good response when you are sure of something but is questioned by doubters just because you said “I think” in your statement prior.

11. “It seems if you want a job done, you have to do it yourself.”

—The Dowager (Frances de la Tour) to Enola and Tewkesbury, before shooting her grandson pointblank in the chest at their family mansion. If you are a perfectionist, this is a phrase you will find yourself quoting over and over again if you want things to be done right, timely or efficiently.

12. “I’m not entirely an idiot, you know.”

—Tewkesbury to Enola—quoting the same statement he made before when showing off his knowledge of edible flora to the latter—after revealing that he wore a bullet-proof vest before entering his family home. Useful as a retort to anyone who always assumes you are a total idiot.

13. “I’m not the villain here!”

—Mycroft Holmes to Sherlock, after the latter insinuates that the former may be too hard on their younger sister. Great to use when someone accuses or insinuates you of being the “bad guy” or “bad cop” in any scenario.

14. “You have to make some noise if you want to be heard.”

—Eudoria to Enola, explaining to her daughter when they finally meet again that she is doing what she is doing in hope of changing the world. Good response whenever anyone asks why you insist on speaking up on a matter, or advice to someone who wants to express an opinion but is afraid to.

15. “Every vote counts.”

—Enola aloud to herself, as she reads a newspaper report on the upcoming Reform Bill vote in the House of Lords and realizes just why someone wants to have Tewkesbury killed as he may cast the deciding vote. This statement is as true in our modern times as it is in the Victorian era. If anyone claims that his or her vote doesn’t matter, remind them that “every vote counts,” whether it is a school council’s proposal or a country’s general election.

Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix.

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