Viewers of Netflix's Enola Holmes 3 have been distracted by what they perceive as a glaring anachronism: the titular detective, played by Millie Bobby Brown, appears to be sporting gel nails in scenes set in 1885. The third installment of the franchise, released on the streaming platform, follows Enola to Malta, where she tackles a complex case. Critics have rated the film 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, lower than its predecessors (91% and 93%).
The Nail Controversy
One fan shared a screenshot on social media with the caption: "Enola Holmes taking place in 1885 while Millie’s nails giving full 2026 gel manicure." Another replied: "Period pieces fail the second modern beauty standards leak in. Audiences read authenticity through tiny details now." The film's director, Philip Barantini, known for the award-winning miniseries Adolescence, dismissed the criticism, stating he didn't bother with "small things." He added: "Maybe they do for some people but it made me laugh. We just live in a world where everyone is hyper-aware and they find something to zone in on, and it becomes a huge thing."
Star and Director Respond
Before the film's release, Millie Bobby Brown addressed the issue in an interview with the BBC: "How bleak and boring of the internet, I love a good manicure and so does Enola. I wasn’t disappointed but I was like, oh OK, that’s what the articles are about. But then again, the internet does not surprise me these days. I’ve been through it on the internet." Barantini echoed her sentiments, emphasizing that the films are based on book series published between 2006 and 2023, not real historical events.
Historical Precedents for Nail Art
A report in The Guardian notes that archaeologists have discovered Egyptian mummies dating to 5,000 BC with gilded nails and henna-tinted fingertips, as well as a solid gold manicure set from 3,200 BC in southern Babylonia. This suggests that nail adornment is not entirely anachronistic, though gel nails specifically were not used in the 1880s. One fan commented: "The polish itself isn’t really a problem, it’s that that kind of colour and gloss were not 'in' in Britain at the time and would not be for a while. It’s less of a technological issue and more of a 'applying 21st century fashion standards to a time where the rules were different' issue, which is like super duper common in historical fiction films in general."
Enola Holmes 3 is currently streaming on Netflix.
